OTTAWA -- Ottawa Airport plans a $130 million expansion that
includes a new terminal.
The Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport Authority
announced the project after its board gave it the go ahead.
Work is expected to start next spring, with completion by the
spring of 2004.
The new $91 million terminal, which will more than double
capacity, will be built alongside the existing 12-gate, 40-year-old
terminal.
To be connected to the existing terminal by a bridge, the new
three-level terminal will have 15 gates.
It also will feature expanded Canadian customs and U.S.
preclearance facilities, a parking garage and aircraft aprons.
The project will include a parking structure and other
improvements costing $39 million.
Paul Benoit, the airport's president and chief executive
officer, said that before work starts, a rejuvenation program will
be announced for the existing terminal "to ensure we can properly
serve our customers through the construction period."
Ottawa serves 3.4 million passengers annually, some 600,000
passengers above capacity, the airport said.