Provo Municipal Airport in Utah, US, has commenced the construction of its new $40m terminal aimed to attract further commercial air service.
The 100,000ft2 terminal will have four gates and is expected to accommodate 20 daily flights.
The airport currently handles four daily flights. Allegiant Air operates services to Mesa and Tucson in Arizona and Los Angeles in California.
It will later be expanded to house ten gates, with 62 flights a day.
Project funding was received from state, city and federal organisations. The airport has received $8m from federal organisations and $9m from Utah state.
Utah County has contributed $4.3m while Provo County contributed $19m.
The terminal is being designed by MHTN architects. It will have one jetway to ensure passengers do not walk on the roads.
The ground breaking ceremony was attended by Provo City Mayor Michelle Kaufusi, Utah Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox and various other state and county leaders.
According to the Salt Lake Tribune, Utah County Commission chairman Bill Lee said that local officials expect the airport to initially bring approximately $300m in additional economic activity annually.
Provo Airport manager Steve Gleason stated that Allegiant Air expressed interest in expanding its service at the airport but was unable due to the absence of gates.
He expects other airlines to come forward after the availability of the necessary facilities.
Terminal construction is scheduled for completion in December 2021.
The airport is located 50 miles from Salt Lake City International Airport, which is currently being refurbished to accommodate 77 gates. The total cost of refurbishing Salt Lake Airport is around $3.6bn.
In January, off-airport parking company The Parking Spot opened its new, energy-efficient facility directly adjacent to the Salt Lake City International Airport.
