Kalamazoo/Battle Creek airport expansion enters final stage, gets $8.5 million to finish work

Work continues under budget and ahead of schedule at the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek Intenational Airport as the third-phase of construction on a new terminal is about to begin.The new, 92,000-square-foot terminal will replace the original terminal, which was built in the 1950s. It has had three additions since then in an attempt to keep up with growth and industry changes.Perhaps one of the most anticipated features of the new terminal will be the passenger bridges for all five gates at the new terminal. No longer will passengers on some flights have to walk across the tarmac to and from planes.Other features of the new terminal include two baggage-claim conveyors and two security checkpoints.The project recently received $8.5 million from the U.S. Dept. of Transportation for ther terminal, which is expected to be completed in April 2011. The $40-million contruction project received  $6.63 million last June and $4 million in September. The cost of the work has come in $5 million under budget, says Cliff Moshoginis, airport director.The airport expansion is being accomplished in three phases — putting in the steel, enclosing the building and the third phase will be work on the interior with construction of such systems as heating and air conditioning and flooring. More than 500,000 passengers use the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport each year. The airport is served by American Eagle, Delta Airlines and Direct Air, which offer 30 daily arrivals and departures. Moshoginis says Delta has increased its flights in and out of Kalamazoo this year as the market has recovered.General aviation, corporate, leisure and recreational flights not connected with an airline, continues to play a big part in the airport’s daily operations. It makes up more than 77 percent  of the daily air traffic and includes local flying clubs, charter service and private aircraft owners. “This creates a lot of economic benefit to the community,” Moshoginis says. “They are coming into the community, spending money with fuel vendors, buying food.”A W.E. Upjohn study some years ago showed the airport contributes $175 million to the local economy through jobs created directly and indirectly.”A new termininal is not going to bump that number up significantly,” Moshoginis says. “But this is the gateway to the community and for businesses looking to relocate this will be a centerpiece. It will have a nice flow and be efficient. It will represent the community well.”Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Cliff Moshoginis, Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport director