Duluth International Airport Opens New Passenger Terminal, Community Celebration Open House Set for this Saturday
If you have ever flown in or out of the Duluth International Airport, you know we need to upgrade. The old terminal was built in 1973 and no longer met the FAA safety regulations after 9/11. Of course, you as a passenger also dealt with small, congested seating areas, vehicle congestion and no restrooms in the secured passenger seating area. That will all change as they prepare for the first flight, Monday, January 14. But, you have a chance to be part of history and tour the new facility at the Community Celebration Open House!It took nearly a decade of planning, securing funding and completing construction, but the time has come. Passengers will soon have a 400 passenger sitting area that will have WI-FI, TV's, multiple in-floor outlets, a restaurant, lounge, gift shop, vending and restrooms.
They've included multiple pick-up and drop-off locations, a separate commercial lane, two baggage carousels and centrally located escalators, elevators and stairs. The new terminal will be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certified, meaning it has sustainable green energy features, like geothermal heating and natural lighting.
It will open for business with it's first flight departing at 6a on Monday, January 14.
Excited to see it? The Community Open House will be held Saturday, January 12 from 12-4p. There is self-guided tours and family fun activities planned with the Duluth Children's Museum. You'll see aviation displays including an F-16 model plane and enjoy musical entertainment and a chance to win prizes, including airline vouchers!
The event is FREE! There will also be FREE parking in the airport's short and long-term parking lots between 11:30a-4p, the day of the event.
What will become of the old terminal? It's set for demolition in February.