The rebuilt Concourse A is scheduled to open in 2003, with 14 gates instead of the current seven. It will include moving sidewalks, restaurants and other retail services, a large arrivals hall, and a 5-story office building for Port and airline staffs. It served us well. Today's groundbreaking was marked with a ceremony on the 8th floor of the airport's garage, overlooking the project area. Those present included federal and local officials who helped make the project a reality.
More gates means more airlines serving the Seattle market.
The resulting competition will hopefully mean reduced air fares for travelers. That change has been in effect since the concourse closed in early September. The demolition and rebuilding of Concourse A is just part of the airport's multi-billion capital improvement program that includes renovation of the Central Terminal, expansion of the garage, addition of a third runway, and more than 100 other projects. Beyond just providing additional gates, Lindsey noted that the equipment to be installed at the new gates should further spur competition. No proprietary equipment will be allowed, and airlines will be permitted to lease gates for only as long as needed to service planes and get passengers on board.