ST. GEORGE — Travelers using the Cedar City Regional Airport can expect to see an improved customer experience next year, as a 10-month expansion project is underway.
On Tuesday, airport staff and local officials gathered in the airport terminal to kick off a 10-month expansion project to be completed simultaneously while the airport remains open and operating with regular daily flights to Salt Lake City by SkyWest Airlines, according to a news release issued by Cedar City.
Improvements include:
- Quadrupling the airport’s current seating capacity after security in the holding room.
- Adding an area for advanced screening equipment.
- Replacing old metal detector with new screening machine.
- Adding two additional restrooms for males and females.
- Adding vending area in holding room after security.
- Upgrading security system.
- Increasing capacity for baggage claim with new roller system.
- Adding a service animal relief station after security.
- Adding an additional passenger gate.
This $5.2 million project is the first major improvement project in nearly 20 years. It is 96% covered by Federal Aviation Administration grants, with additional costs covered by the airport operating budget.
“Our current amenities and seating have exceeded our daily need for quite a while,” airport manager Tyler Galetka said in the news release. “These new improvements will not only provide our guests with an elevated experience but will give us the space we need pending any future air service expansion.”
Galetka explained how the pilot shortage due to the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on expanding essential air service, but it remains one of the top priorities at the airport for the Cedar City Council.
At the kick-off event, Cedar City Mayor Garth Green and others shared how Cedar City is the gateway to the national parks and adventure in Southern Utah.
“We don’t do anything special to tell people to move here or visit here,” Green said. “People visit because of our location and access to the outdoors and it’s our job to maintain the quality of life for all, which includes providing a great experience at our Airport.”
While the project is underway, no major impacts or flight interruptions are expected other than guests utilizing different amenities or routes inside the terminal. The expected completion date for the 5,000-square-foot expansion project is early 2025.