Fayetteville Regional Airport is continuing its mission to improve the flying experience for passengers, guests and military by continuing its multiphase renovation plan.

Phase I of Terminal Renovations, completed in 2020, added four new jet bridges, a complete demolition and rebuild of Concourse A, and a new restaurant along with utility upgrades and improvements to PWC transformers.

Terminal Renovations Phase II began in early 2020 and included a new terminal entrance canopy, enhanced security checkpoint area, reconstruction of the rental parking lot and upgrades to Concourse B along with other improvements.

The City of Fayetteville held a grand unveiling of its completed Phase II of terminal renovations in December of 2022. The more than $37 million budgeted in safety, security and experience-focused renovations were made possible through grants from the Federal Aviation Administration, State of North Carolina and Airport Fund Balance. No tax-based General Fund Dollars were used to fund the project.

Now, construction is in progress for Phase III of renovations. Estimated to cost $3.4 million, Phase III will focus on extending Concourse B for passengers and include regulation safety improvements for when they board.

“For Phase III, behind the construction wall, we are extending the concourse out 200 square-feet to accommodate for larger airframes,” shared Interim Airport Director and Deputy Airport Director Deontae Watson. “American [Airlines] was exclusively using this, however, the passenger boarding bridge that’s needed has reached its useful life. Like any product, you want to replace it so that's a $1.5 million project in Airport Improvement Program funds to replace the passenger boarding bridge. That will increase safety for passengers boarding the aircraft from this concourse.”

In that same concourse, Phase III includes a new and improved freight elevator with upgraded security which will be used to bring in a higher amount of bulk goods which will be featured in the airport restaurant and general store.

Downstairs and outside, construction is underway for a project specifically for airport employees who currently work outdoors handling outbound baggage.

As bags leave their owners and head towards their specific flights, the carousel heads outdoors for bags to be sorted and loaded. Currently, this all takes place outdoors, but within Phase III are plans to extend the canopy that currently provides cover, as well as adding heating and air conditioning to provide relief for workers. Additionally, plans are in place to add an airline lounge to the same area to provide more comfort and shelter for employees during rough or inclement weather.

Inside on the first floor, Fayetteville Regional Airport is also preparing to welcome in new airlines with the addition of 700-square feet of new office space currently under construction.

So far, the Airport has invested around $52 million in renovations for the facility. Fliers in and out of the airport will be able to enjoy the new Phase III amenities before the end of the year.

“They’re about 85% complete and actually, the entire project is ahead of schedule,” shared Watson. “They’re projecting the entire project should be completed Dec. 20 of this year. That will allow us to have a newer style terminal and hopefully another air carrier pretty soon,” said Watson.

A recap on the projects’ progress and current project updates can be found on the Fayetteville Regional Airport website at www.flyfay.com.