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TERMINALS  
May | June 2026      AirportImprovement.com
CID
Plans accommodate larger aircraft and higher peak 
passenger loads without major structural rework in the 
future. “The primary driver was aircraft upgauging,” 
Dubbe says. “We planned in a growth scenario over 
many decades.”
That forward-looking approach influenced decisions 
about gate spacing, holdroom sizing, circulation space 
and support areas throughout the concourse. Adding 
common-use technology from AeroCloud at ticket 
counters and gates further enhances operational 
flexibility by allowing airlines to accommodate future 
service additions without costly reconfiguration. 
Land use planning and the preservation of adjacent 
space around the terminal was also considered to 
provide clear paths for future expansion should demand 
warrant it. “We feel that the airport is decades ahead of 
what is needed for this community,” Dubbe remarks.
With the terminal modernization and expansion 
program complete, CID is moving into the next phase 
of capital improvements to further increase operational 
flexibility and build on infrastructure established over 
the past decade. One of its first priorities is a new 
snow removal equipment building, with construction 
scheduled to begin this spring. 
Another proposed improvement is expanding the 
outbound baggage handling tunnel to increase capacity 
and improve reliability as enplanements continue to rise. 
The airport has pursued funding from the Bipartisan 
Infrastructure Law Airport Terminal Program to help 
advance this project. Funding sources have been 
secured for a centralized aircraft deicing facility through 
a Community Directed Spending grant. 
Four vs. One
When modernizing and expanding its terminal, Eastern Iowa 
Airport (CID) subdivided the approximately $121 million project 
into four phases that were bid and constructed independently. 
This allowed CID to maintain operational continuity throughout 
construction and pause, adjust or accelerate work as needed—
flexibility that proved invaluable when COVID-19 turned the entire 
industry upside down. 
Here’s how the project was divided:
Phase 1: Exterior transformation including a new façade, 
windows, lighted curbside canopy and sidewalks, as well as 
glass panel modules for the existing pedestrian walkway. Other 
elements included signage, roof repairs and replacing the cooling 
tower. 
Phase 2: Complete renovation of pre-security terminal spaces, 
including rental car and airport shuttle counters, airline counters, 
baggage claim equipment and TSA checkpoint entry. Skylights 
were added for natural lighting and energy savings; heating and 
cooling systems were updated. 
Phase 3: TSA checkpoint expansion and post-security 
improvements, including 54,350 more square feet of holdroom 
space, additional restrooms and two new concessions areas. 
Energy efficiency measures included new roofing and siding, 
building system upgrades, geothermal well field and 240 KWh 
solar array.
Phase 4: Renovating final 25,197 square feet of terminal space 
and adding more than 30,000 square feet. Highlights included 
four new boarding bridges, additional holdrooms and restrooms, 
and new concessions. Sustainability elements included continued 
transition to the geothermal HVAC system and expanding the 
solar array. 
PHOTO: PAUL GATES PHOTOGRAPHY
Holdroom capacities were increased to accommodate 
higher passenger volume from larger aircraft.

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