UPDATE 8:40am Thursday | The following statements have been released by City officials after the airport passenger concourse groundbreaking yesterday:
“The Long Beach Airport is one of the most important economic assets in our city, and constructing this new concourse will create much-needed jobs,” said Mayor Bob Foster. “The new concourse will have several new features, including environmentally sustainable solar panels that will provide 13 percent of the concourse’s energy needs.”
“The concourse is going to be the right size, and it is being built at the right time,” said Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske, who represents the 5th District, where the airport is located. “Long Beach Airport is rapidly becoming more and more of a jewel for aviation, and that is something we can all be proud of.”
“This new passenger concourse is yet another example of how the Long Beach Airport is continuing to exceed expectations, as we improve our costumer service and provide the pleasant, unique ‘Long Beach’ experience,” Airport Director Mario Rodriguez said.
1:01pm Wednesday | Officials broke ground today on a massive, $45 million new passenger concourse at the Long Beach Airport in one of the many additions that are planned over the next few years to enhance the customer experience.
The airport earlier this year broke ground on a new parking structure and released renderings of a future redesigned terminal.
The 34,750-foot boarding lounge will serve as the main gateway to take passengers from the terminal to their flight. Some of the main features include upgraded, comfortable seating and concessions, housed in a soothing atrium and garden atmosphere. A solar rooftop will provide 13-percent of the power demand.
The airport came under fire for outdated and in some cases dilapidated facilities that caused airline JetBlue to threaten to leave in 2009. Airport officials met with the airline to smooth over relations, which partially included promises to upgrade passenger facilities.