There's still one year to go for expansions at the Syracuse Hancock International Airport. The $49.7 million project includes a centralized security area on the second floor and a new baggage system. All told, the extension measures 147,000 square feet.
Airport commissioner Christina Callahan says the centralized area for security lines should cut down on wait times.
"We were seeing that we weren't able to process passengers and bags as quickly as we needed to in the current configuration," she said, adding that the new area can accommodate up to ten security lines.
As Mayor Stephanie Miner toured the construction site with reporters, she said passengers should expect to see shorter wait times when the expansion is complete.
"The Airport is arguably our most important economic development engine that we have," she said.
Miner said she hopes the expansion would attract more travelers and airlines to Syracuse.
The two-year project is funded by passenger facility charges, which are built into the cost of each individual airplane ticket.
You can follow reporter Durrie Lawrence on Twitter @Durribee
