John Wayne (SNA) has decided to proceed with its $652M terminal project.
The improvements will include a third passenger terminal, bringing the number of gates to 20 and helping the airport handle 10.8 million passengers a year; a parking structure with at least 2,000 spaces; renovation of the two existing terminals; and shops and restaurants. The runway will be resurfaced and more space for commercial aircraft will be added, as will permanent facilities for commuter air services. There will also be a federal Customs and immigration facility.
The project will be the first enhancements since the airport opened the Thomas F. Riley Terminal in 1990, which was 12 times larger than the terminal it replaced. Construction will begin in the middle of 2009 and is expected to be completed in 2011. Demolition crews are razing a 1,200-space parking structure to make room.
