BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport is continuing on its path of expansion and has seen record passenger traffic increases during most of 2011.
With this latest expansion of the existing terminal, BWI Marshall officials said they believe the $100 million program will address near-term needs and accommodate long-term growth as the airport becomes a major international gateway for the region.
Expansions and enhancements include an expanded security checkpoint, secure connectivity between concourses, improved airline gate hold rooms, and new passenger amenities and commercial space.
The design includes two sets of new moving sidewalks, additional restrooms and 8,500 square feet of new food and retail space. The design for the entire project has been approved by the Maryland Department of Public Works, with construction approval pending a discussion on Dec. 7. Work is scheduled to be completed by 2013.
Recent retail additions include Obrycki’s, A-Bar, Jamba Juice, Mayorga Coffee, Be Relax spa and America!, a gift shop.
Other changes at the airport include AirTran (the airport’s second largest carrier) moving its operations at BWI Marshall from Concourse D to collocate with Southwest Airlines at Terminal A/B following Southwest’s (its largest carrier) acquisition of the airline in May 2011.
The airport’s expansion corresponds to its growth in service, said BWI Marshall spokesperson Jonathan Dean. “Passenger traffic has grown consistently for more than two years,” he said.
The airport had record-high passenger traffic in 2010; for 15 of the last 17 months, the airport has seen record-breaking passenger traffic, though it is too early to tell whether 2011 will see another record high for the year.
July 2011 was BWI Marshall’s busiest month in its 51 years of existence, with 2.2 million passengers passing through its doors.
A ‘Bright Spot’
BWI Marshall, originally named Friendship Airport, is an economic asset for local businesses and has also become an acknowledged hub for international travel, said Linda Greene, executive director of the BWI Business Partnership.
“We have seen growing domestic air traffic for awhile, and now we are also seeing BWI having very significant growth on the international side as well. It’s a real bright spot,” Greene said.
The airport announced on Nov. 4 it would offer flights to Cuba through a Tampa-based company, Island Travel & Tours Ltd., but the federal Department of Transportation has yet to authorize the flights.
Federal rules limit passengers to “purposeful” travel to Cuba, which may include business that is exempt from the trade embargo on Cuba, as well as family visits by Cuban-Americans or trips for religious, academic, cultural, journalistic and other professional reasons.
BWI Marshall’s popularity continues to attract business and pleasure travelers alike, said Rachelina Bonacci, executive director of Howard County Tourism & Promotion.
“Howard County’s proximity to BWI is a great selling point for motivating conference and event planners to sign on the dotted line to book business with our hotels and unique meeting venues,” she said. “In our regional print and online advertising of Howard County, we often include ‘just minutes from BWI [Thurgood Marshall] Airport and Amtrak’ in our copy to help seal the deal for travelers.”
Side Benefit
On another note, tourists and travelers might notice a few camera crews around Concourses A and B in the coming weeks as a new reality show begins filming there. The show, to air on TLC [part of Silver Spring-based Discovery Communications], will focus on the inner workings of Southwest Airlines.
The airport also has served as a filming location for the HBO television hit “The Wire,” as well as the movies “Twelve Monkeys” and “Home for the Holidays.” The A&E series “Airline” was also largely filmed at BWI Marshall.
