The Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority has celebrated the completion of Project Gateway, a multi-year investment plan that has seen the modernisation of Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA).
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to mark the completion of the airport’s terminal expansion and renovation, with attendees including community leaders, project partners and elected officials.
The celebration featured remarks from Regional Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Rebecca MacPherson, U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman, Allen County Commissioner Ron Turpin, Fort Wayne Deputy Mayor Karl Bandemer and Scott Hinderman, Chief Executive Officer of the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority.
Scott Hinderman, chief executive officer of the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority, said:Today represents much more than the completion of a construction project.
Project Gateway reflects our commitment to providing travelers with an exceptional experience while creating a modern airport that supports the continued growth of Fort Wayne and Northeast Indiana. As the front door to our community, FWA now offers a gateway that matches the strength, momentum and opportunity of the region we serve.
Project Gateway, named for its role as the region’s new gateway, represents a full modernisation programme that first began following FWA’s milestone of 10 consecutive years of passenger growth.
The initiative has included a series of major infrastructure improvements across the airport campus, including the Parking Lot Rehabilitation Project, Rental Car Return Lot Canopy Expansion and Renewable Solar Energy Project, East and West Terminal Apron Improvement Project, and the terminal expansion and renovation.
Construction of the West Terminal Expansion and Rehabilitation Project was completed in 2023, which saw the delivery of expanded airline ticketing areas, a new baggage handling system, two additional gates with new passenger boarding bridges, a children’s play area, a multi-sensory room, a mother’s room, and a modernised terminal façade and interior.
Following this, the East Terminal Expansion, which began in 2023, completed the airport’s terminal transformation with significant enhancements designed to improve the passenger journey while increasing operational efficiency and preparing the airport for future growth.
The newly completed project includes relocated aircraft gates and passenger boarding bridges; an expanded TSA security checkpoint; additional restrooms and mother’s rooms; a new service animal relief area; expanded accessibility features; new meeter and greeter space; upgraded building systems; a new frequent flyer lounge; and operational improvements that increase aircraft taxiway separation from the terminal building, enhancing safety and efficiency.
