New Peoria Airport terminal opens this week

PEORIA — Improvements at Peoria International Airport get their debut this week.

Gene Olson, director of airports for the Metropolitan Airport Authority of Peoria, said the new terminal opens Wednesday. Olson said plans have been in the works since 2006 and construction has been ongoing since November 2008.

The project began as a renovation of the existing terminal but turned into the building of a whole new facility.

"The whole idea was to eliminate the two-level terminal, so you didn't have to go downstairs for baggage claim," Olson told WGIL Radio. "It kind of eliminates the dungeon effect."

Olson says the new terminal will be more modern and with a more traditional layout.

"Most airport terminals for airports of our size end up looking like ... a capital letter 'H' laying on its side," Olson said. "That's because ... you're able to separate the inbound from the outbound passengers. That's kind of what our building looks like also."

The current terminal will be shut down after the last flights Tuesday night, Olson said. Security screening and other equipment will be moved to the new facility in time for an early Wednesday opening.