Airport Leadership Team, Albany County Airport Authority Board Announce Construction Updates
ALBANY, NY (September 16, 2024) — During today’s Albany County Airport Authority Board meeting, Board members and the Airport leadership team announced highly anticipated updates regarding Albany International Airport’s $100 million revitalization project.
Acting CEO Peter Stuto and COO John O’Donnell have been meeting with staff and construction partners since being named as the leadership team on Wednesday, September 4. During those meetings, they’ve been working to establish a better path moving forward for the construction and its eventual completion. While initial plans called for one large unveiling for all aspects of the construction, Stuto and O’Donnell are proposing that the project be broken down into five distinct phases in order to streamline the travel journey, heighten comfort and convenience and bring parts of the airport back online sooner. A more detailed timeline for the phases will be unveiled soon after additional meetings with the construction teams.
Airport leadership, along with construction partners, will also immediately begin to address wayfinding signage and improve the experience as travelers move from the various parking lots to the ticketing/departure and baggage claim areas. This will also include cleaning up the curb drop-off area to better improve transportation to and from the Airport.
Below are the subsequent phases that have been proposed:
Phase 1
Terminal upgrades, including a family-friendly sensory room, children’s play area and state-of-the-art business center.
Phase 2
Ticket area improvements, including modernized car rental and ticket counter upgrades.
Phase 3
New departure hall and site improvements, including new terminal area elevators and escalators; upgrades to the information desk, Sheriff’s department security counters and security checkpoints for all departing traffic; new Airport entrance sign and lighting.
Phase 4
Removal of the temporary queuing platform and old escalators; improved access to the North parking garage; upgrades to the Dunkin’ Donuts.
Phase 5
Renovation of Terminal A, including two brand new gates with jet bridges and traveler upgrades.
“We are incredibly excited to be able to share these updates with the public,” said John O’Donnell, COO of the Albany International Airport. “It is imperative that we keep travelers apprised of the ongoing upgrades that are turning the Airport into the modern, premier destination. We need to enhance the traveler experience and draw more visitors.”
“The Board is grateful for the hard work of the dedicated and committed staff and the many vendors and contractors at the Airport,” said Sam Fresina, Chair of the Albany County Airport Authority Board. “The revitalization project has been and remains the top priority for the Board. We are committed to ensuring a smooth construction process without any further delay.”
Monday’s board meeting was also the first official meeting for Airport Acting CEO Peter Stuto and Airport COO John O’Donnell.
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