Airport Experience® News - Conference 2023

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had to say no to maintenance and repair overhaul activities, and to people wanting to build a hangar on the airport just because of the issues with the tower.” The addition of an inline baggage system with update antiquated baggage handling systems at the airport, increasing efficiencies and speeding up passenger throughputs. And outside the terminal, the new CONRAC facility will free up much needed space in the parking garage. The various projects will be completed over the next three years or so and will position GRR for more growth, but not too much more. “This buys us at least the next 10 years of growth and expansion that we continue to see in West Michigan,” Richardson says. “We’re trying to stay one step ahead of that, making sure that we’re able to deliver on these capital programs in a timely fashion so that we aren’t having any challenges of not being able to accommodate our passengers or not accommodate airline growth. “We’re excited – this is going to give us an opportunity to grow air service,” he continues. “Right now, we have every gate in use by our airlines. This is that next expansion for us, our next opportunity.”

Looking Ahead Beyond the Concourse A expansion, the relocation of the air traffic control tower is top of mind for Richardson because the current structure impedes growth. The airport’s current tower is the oldest in operation at a top 75 airport, and is located on top of the terminal building. “It’s only a hundred feet high, which means we have limited ability to grow in the core area of our terminal,” says Richardson. “We can’t build a parking garage. We’ve had to say no to hotel development. We’ve

Above: Gerald R. Ford International Airport has seen airlines transition to larger jets, putting the squeeze on gate hold areas. Below: A new consolidated rent-a-car facility will move rental cars out of the airport’s parking garage, freeing up much-needed space.

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