b'8 EYWTERMINALSKey West Intl BalancesTraditional Island Charmwith Modern DemandsBY JENNIFER DAACK WOOLSONWhen Key West International2024Airport Directorenvironmental Airport (EYW) set out to overhaulRichard Stricklandcompliance and its aging 1950s terminal, theinsists that growthadding more goal wasnt just to accommodate growingwasnt the primaryspace were other crowds. The Florida airport also focused onmotivation for thefoundational goals. preserving its trademark island characterproject. Improving thePreviously, the ground-and solving serious functional shortcomings.passenger experiencelevel boarding area Part of EYWs distinctive passengerwas. SpeakingRICHARD STRICKLAND was vulnerable toMATT DUBBEexperience was boarding and deplaningcandidly, Stricklandstorm surge. That was on the apron, which created a getawaygraded the previous terminal an Fremedied by elevating the entire concourse atmosphere for tourists, but alsobecause it failed to provide an acceptable14 feet. To address the woefully presented management with challenges inlevel of service. Now, we can provide anundersized nature of Concourse A, terms of safety and ensuring broad accessexceptional level of service and experienceproject designers expanded the cramped per the Americans with Disabilities Actfor the passenger, plus we have the ability7,000-square-foot hold room to more than (ADA). A recent $130 million expansionto add additional flights, he says of the48,000 square feet. and transformation of the sole eight-gatenew facility.But improving the passenger experience concourse, designed to fix that and otherThat, in fact, is already playing out, asmeant much more than just making the concerns, was more than four years in theBreeze Airways initiated service at EYWfacility bigger. As lead consultant in charge making. After a soft opening this April, thein mid-June. Currently, the airport offersof planning, programming, engineering, new building officially debuted in May. nonstop service to/from 22 U.S. cities.design and permitting, McFarland Johnson Although passenger traffic has surgedMatt Dubbe, Mead & Hunts leadengaged with the public, airlines and other since 2020reaching 1.45 million inarchitect for the project, explains thatstakeholders early in the design phase July | August 2025AirportImprovement.com'