GNV Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony for Terminal Expansion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GNV Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony for Terminal Expansion

The growing North Central Florida Airport is adding a 15,200-square foot expansion over

the next two years to include a variety of passenger amenities and conveniences

GAINESVILLE, Fla., Nov. 21, 2019—Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV) gathered today with well-wishers to hold a groundbreaking ceremony for its 15,200 square foot, two-gate passenger terminal expansion and improvement project.

The expanded terminal will provide a variety of passenger amenities and services to accommodate increased passenger traffic and demand. New amenities will include expanded restrooms, a second food and beverage area, mother’s lactation room, quiet/reflection room, possible child’s play area and an outdoor pet relief area.

In his opening comments to guests, GNV’s CEO, Allan Penksa informed guests with financial detail on the almost $16 million project and informed them of additional phases of expansion that are part of the airport’s master plan.

“This project is paid for by a combination of state and federal grants, along with passenger facility charges, or PFCs collected by our airlines,” Mr. Penksa said. “Most importantly, there is no local tax involved. It is the second of four phases of terminal investment, and it won’t be very long before we get going on these final phases, adding two new passenger boarding bridges to connect to this expansion, a new outbound, baggage screening/ handling system and additional airline operations space to better accommodate existing and future carriers.”

Gainesville Alachua County Regional Airport Authority (GACRAA) Chairwoman Grace Horvath said the community is truly responding to the airport’s enhanced service and GNV’s “Fly Easy” experience. “We are resonating with more and more people, who are discovering how uncomplicated and stress-free, and yes, how economical flying from GNV can be.”

The expansion is the latest in several milestones reached by the busy North Central Florida airport.

In the last year alone, GNV added nonstop service to Dallas-Fort Worth, a second screening lane and TSA Pre✓, along with increased parking capacity. Through the airport’s two airlines, Delta and American Airlines, and four international hubs of Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas-Fort Worth and Miami, GNV passengers can access 343 destinations across the globe in just one stop.

In addition, the airlines are upgauging, or adding capacity, to existing flights by utilizing larger aircraft. American Airlines will start using 63-seat regional jets on some flights to and from its DFW hub Dec. 18, in time for the holidays. In addition to increased seating capacity, the CRJ-700 aircraft features First Class and Main Cabin Extra (six inches more legroom and earlier access to overhead bin space) along with Main Cabin seating.

GNV has seen a steady increase in traffic this year, so having more capacity on its flights, along with the terminal expansion, is welcome news. By the end of October, year-to-date traffic at GNV was very close to surpassing its all-time record of 476,396 passengers in 2018. Mr. Penksa says the airport has recently maintained load factors of around 87 percent.

The terminal expansion is expected to take 21 to 23 months to complete. Interruptions to flight operations and passenger experience are expected to be minimal, with the majority of construction improvements in the existing terminal taking place outside business hours.

A fact sheet follows this release.

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About Gainesville Regional Airport

Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV) serves North Central Florida and the Heart of Florida through all facets of aviation: commercial airlines, general aviation, military operations, medical missions and air cargo. Located in Gainesville, Florida, just minutes away from the University of Florida, GNV provides a close, convenient and competitively priced “gateway” to the Heart of Florida. The airport operates 16 daily departures on American Airlines and Delta with nonstop service to the international hubs of Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth and Miami, allowing access to the world. GNV is served by a full-service fixed base operator, University Air Center (UAC). With more than 350 part- and full-time employees and tenants at the airport, GNV has an annual economic impact on North Central Florida of more than $374 million. In 2018, 476,396 commercial passengers set an all-time record of arrivals to and departures from GNV. For more information, please visit flygainesville.com

Funding

Expansion Area

• 15,200 s.f. expansion built to accept two passenger boarding bridges. Expansion and Jetways to be completed in 2021.
• New gates will accommodate most narrow body airliners. One gate will accommodate aircraft up to

B-757 (Airbus A-320 and MD-88 largest aircraft now in regular service).

• Expansion provides approximately 322 additional seats. Most seats wired for charging of portable devices.
• Expansion includes space for additional food vendor, quiet/reflection room, mother’s lactation room, covered secure side pet relief area and future child’s play area or café dining.
• Elegant, north facing, curved glass curtain wall provides bright and inviting waiting space.
• Acoustic ceiling features designed to reduce ambient noise for reduced stress travel.

Improvements to Existing Terminal Include:

• Renovation and expansion of existing secure side restrooms with traveler friendly features like extra garment hooks and shelving for small articles.
• Renovation of existing public side restrooms with traveler friendly features.
• Wiring of existing seating for charging of portable devices.
• New modern tile, carpet and wainscot finishes throughout.
• New glass TSA partition wall to better accommodate second screening lane and provide brighter, more pleasant screening environment.
• New roof over existing building.
• HVAC upgrades for increased efficiency and reduced ambient noise in gate area.
• Second emergency generator for normal jet bridge positioning during power outages.
• Planned upgrade to more efficient LED lighting