b'10 GRR TERMINALSFord Intl Kicks Off Expansion Programin Concourse A BY JODI RICHARDS Gerald R. Ford Internationalwith its team to reassess conditions andAmerican Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Airport (GRR) in Grand Rapids,make sure the project still tracked withUnited Airlines operate out of the newly MI, was on the cusp of breakinglocal demand.expanded Concourse A, while Southwest ground to expand its Concourse A inThe Concourse A Expansion/ Airlines, Allegiant Air, Frontier and Sun April 2020 when COVID-19 brought theRenovation, which opened to the publicCountry occupy Concourse B. entire industry to an eerie halt. While manyin phases ending this spring, is the first airports took advantage of largely emptylarge-scale project of GRRs $600 millionGrowth Spurs Investmentterminals and airfields to expedite projects,capital development program to improveRecent improvements to Concourse A GRR used the time to confirm its goals andthe guest experience and position thestem from GRRs 2016 Master Plan, which objectives for changes to Concourse A.Western Michigan airport for futurewas approved by FAA in 2019. It identified We met with thegrowth. The program, known as ELEVATE,shortcomings in the terminals front curb airlines and our designis comprised of six projectsroughly $100area, baggage claim capacity and aircraft team, and we all said,million eachthat will be funded with agates. At the time, officials estimated the Lets pause and waitcombination of federal and state grants,airport was six to to see whats goingmunicipal bonds issued by the airporteight years behind the to happen, recallsand user fees. The airport received morecurve in making the Airport Authoritythan $8.6 million from the Airport Terminalimprovements. President and ChiefTORY RICHARDSON Grant Program for eight new passengerCasey Ries, director Executive Officer Tory Richardson. Whileboarding bridges at the eight new gatesof Engineering and air travel throughout the world remained inadded in Concourse A, bringing its totalPlanning, explains that suspended animation, GRR met regularlyto 14.the airfield has plentyCASEY RIESSeptember 2024AirportImprovement.com'