The Chattanooga Airport plans to unveil the new passenger terminal expansion, its most expensive ever at about $28 million, next month, officials said Monday.
The grand opening of the facility, the largest such expansion by size in more than 30 years at Lovell Field, is slated for March 2, said April Cameron, the airport's chief executive.
She told the Airport Authority at a meeting the debut of the expanded terminal comes as Lovell Field recorded a nearly 13% gain in passenger boardings in 2023 over the prior year to 487,829.
While sharply higher, the 2023 passenger figure still trails record, pre-pandemic boardings posted in 2019 by 13%, Cameron said.
"We're definitely moving in the right direction," she told the airport panel.
Airport Authority Chair Jim Hall said at the meeting that Lovell Field is trying to be "very aggressive" to attract new nonstop service.
"We have opportunities here with the terminal expansion and gates," he said.
Cameron said the airport is going through "a punch list" of final terminal expansion items prior to an event March 2.
(READ MORE: Chattanooga Airport terminal expansion launched)
Started in summer 2022, the expansion adds 26,000 square feet and renovates another 36,000 square feet.
A restaurant, bar and added restrooms were to be built past the Transportation Security Administration passenger checkpoint, which itself saw an expansion to speed passengers into the concourse to catch flights, officials said earlier.
About 90% of the expansion cost will be covered by the Federal Aviation Administration or Lovell Field's existing passenger facility charge, a fee that is placed on each ticket. The airport will pay the remaining cost, according to officials.
The project also added new gates so passengers can board more planes.
Cameron said final installation of jet bridges at the gates is expected next week.
Also, furniture for the expanded terminal is coming, she said.
Cameron said December saw the airlines fill 88% of available seats, a high figure.
"When we recruit (new service), it's important for the community to use those seats," the airport CEO said.
(READ MORE: Chattanooga lands nonstops to Las Vegas)
This spring, Allegiant Air is starting new nonstops between Chattanooga and Las Vegas.
Earlier, officials said round-trip flights between the cities would start May 16 with the discount carrier offering twice-a-week service to Harry Reid International Airport.
Allegiant currently provides nonstops between Chattanooga and two other destinations — Tampa and Orlando, Florida.
In addition, seasonal nonstop flights between Chattanooga and Miami will restart in June on American Airlines, airport officials said earlier.
According to Lovell Field, passengers can connect at Miami International Airport to more than 60 international destinations across Central America, the Caribbean and Latin America.
The service from Chattanooga will provide easy access to PortMiami for both vacation cruising and business, officials said.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318.