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New Provo airport terminal opens this week with ribbon cutting, open house

By Staff | May 3, 2022

Harrison Epstein, Daily Herald

The Provo Airport logo is shown inside of the TSA scanning area in the new Provo Airport terminal on Tuesday, April 26, 2022.

The Provo Airport is taking flight with the grand opening of its new four-gate, 75,000-square-foot terminal at 10 a.m. Friday.

With government funding from the Federal Aviation Administration, the state of Utah, Utah County and Provo City, the $55 million terminal, expandable to 10 gates, brings a strong economic return on its infrastructure investment.

Provo now has Utah’s second busiest airport. “By investing in vital infrastructure, we created economic opportunity for Provo rather than waiting for it,” said Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi. “The community economic benefits are substantial, with each new round-trip daily destination bringing an estimated $15 million into our local, regional and state economy.”

“The forward-looking terminal design not only provides more gates and destinations; it is designed to enhance the travel experience from curb to flight,” said Brian Torgersen, interim Provo Airport manager. “Quick gate access and short lines reduce travel hassle; additions of baggage carousels, jetway and rental cars increase travel convenience.”

Features of the new airport terminal include:

  • An enclosed family lounge for children to play as they wait.
  • A Travelers Commons that seats 630, with designated family and business areas.
  • Streetscape Provo, with red-bricked storefronts showcasing local retail shops and restaurants — inspired by downtown Provo.
  • Outlook Lounge, a large public gathering space designed fo watching aircraft land or take flight or meeting with colleagues.
  • Reunion Court, a spacious waiting area with floor-to-ceiling glass for a clear view of arriving passengers.

Harrison Epstein, Daily Herald

New seats outside of a gate in the new Provo Airport terminal are pictured Tuesday, April 26, 2022.

The Provo Airport terminal expansion has generated industry buzz since its November 2019 groundbreaking, with Allegiant Travel Co. announcing new destinations, now at eight total, in anticipation of its opening in June. With the opening of the Provo Airport terminal, Allegiant announced its investment of a $95 million four-aircraft base of operations generating at least 157 new, high-wage jobs.

“We’re delighted to grow alongside Provo, a market with phenomenal growth and convenient access to some of Utah’s most treasured destinations,” said Keith Hansen, Allegiant’s vice president of government affairs. “Allegiant understands the value of Provo Airport. Building on the success of eight existing routes at PVU, our investment means having locally-based aircraft and crews, opening the door for future new destination opportunities for residents.”

New destinations offered by Allegiant combined with the terminal amenities of the Provo Airport create a new travel experience for all in Utah County. “The Provo Airport is establishing a niche for vacationers who appreciate affordable, convenient travel without the hassle of layovers and connections,” Kaufusi said. Allegiant will participate in the upcoming grand opening of the Provo Airport terminal.

The new Provo Airport terminal will bring many to Provo’s west side for the first time — or for the first time in a long time. What they may be surprised to find is a community on the rise. “Where once west Provo, with its limited access, felt like an out-of-the-way adventure, the completion of the four-lane Lakeview Parkway will bring opportunities for nearly 1,000 acres of undeveloped land,” Kaufusi said. “With Provo City approximately 80% developed, creating a west Provo that is a destination for resident and visitor alike becomes all the more important.”

Provo is home to hugely successful companies like Vivint, NuSkin and Qualtrics, as well as Brigham Young University and Utah Valley University, which both boast entrepreneurial centers and mentorship programs.

Harrison Epstein, Daily Herald

A sign directs drivers to the cell phone lot, passenger loading and rental car return areas in front of the Provo Airport terminal on Tuesday, April 26, 2022.

A special public open house will be held at the airport Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Seats outside of the A and B gates are shown in the new Provo Airport terminal on Tuesday, April 26, 2022.

Signs direct people to the baggage claim, rental car and ticketing areas in the new Provo Airport terminal on Tuesday, April 26, 2022.

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