Locally, Pensacola International Airport is also breaking new records. By Airport standards, the double-digit growth rates that existed prior to COVID were challenging enough. This growth has since returned in full force after only a brief pause. Although the industry languished, PNS quickly returned to its pre-pandemic numbers within just one year of onset. This sustained and sudden growth continues to pose challenges in our efforts moving forward to meet new demands.
Last year, PNS saw a record 2.65 million passengers. We are approaching 3 million passengers for fiscal year 2024 as a result of continued double digit growth rates. Routinely, we see passenger numbers that would amount to the entire population of the City of Pensacola passing through the facility every seven days. This Summer alone, the facility commonly saw what would equate to two sold out Wahoo Stadiums of fans (with luggage) ……every day!
I think it’s fair to say that the tempo here at PNS is quite high. With this, comes challenges as we strive to meet not only today’s demand but also position ourselves to maintain the Fly Easy promise to our community well into the future. We would like to express our sincere appreciation for your continued patronage and patience as we embark on what promises to be a new era for PNS.
I would like to take this opportunity to provide some up-to-date information about what is happening at PNS.
So, what’s happening at PNS?
Parking:
Two years ago, we added the newly constructed Economy Lot #3. This new lot expanded parking capacity by 10%. Soon thereafter, the demand for additional parking space was readily apparent which resulted in the expedited design of a 4th lot to be constructed on Tippin Avenue. Currently in construction, this project will add another 13% total capacity or,430+ spaces to the Airport campus. Construction is expected to be concluded by Thanksgiving of this year.
We recently installed new technology at the parking lot entrances and exits that opens up a couple of exciting new capabilities. This includes a way for you to obtain real-time parking space vacancy numbers on your phone, so you can select the lot that makes sense at the time you arrive. We also are creating a process to reserve space in one of the lots ahead of time. In addition, we will soon deploy a shuttle bus monitoring app so that, if you have parked far away or during inclement weather, you can see precisely where the shuttle buses are on their routes. These should all go live in the next few months.
TSA Screening Equipment and Operations:
Last year we wrapped up major internal projects to include new escalators and TSA screening equipment. TSA also struggled with staffing to meet the demand from passenger growth. Working with both TSA leadership in Washington, DC and our political representatives, we enabled TSA to increase manning and leadership resources here at PNS to meet both current and the growing demands. What we have seen over this last summer, is a large drop in passenger wait times and a much smoother processing of passengers. The new CT technology incorporated at our checkpoint has allowed for better 3D imaging of bags in supporting the safety and security of our nation’s traveling public. In the process, our screening operation has become more streamlined.
Modernization:
Several other ongoing and recently completed projects to support the traveling public here at PNS include:
- Terminal Roof Rehabilitation - complete
- New Concourse Exit Lanes - complete
- Garage Repair and 10 Year Preventative Maintenance plan implementation - complete
- Airport Directional Signage Replacement – in progress
- Pedestrian Crosswalk Safety lighting and warning- complete
- Hold Room Charging Stations - complete
- Electrical Switchgear Upgrades – in progress
- Added Security Checkpoint Queuing Space – in progress
New Concourse:
Conceptual design is complete. The EXP and Luis Vidal Team were selected to lead Architectural/Engineering design efforts in the design of a new five gate concourse to be located on the right side as one approaches our terminal. A special thanks to the Florida Department of Transportation on its financial commitment to help fund this effort. We expect design to take approximately one year. Funding efforts are underway for the construction. Current cost estimates approach $100 M. We have work ahead on many different levels to help secure funding. We have initiated some enabling projects to facilitate the ultimate construction of the concourse to include new aircraft ramp and demolition of existing hangars in the vicinity of the current terminal. We expect construction of the new concourse to begin in June of 2025.
On a different front, we are always striving to add additional destinations and frequency and options available to the flying community. Just this summer, we added Breeze Airways to the PNS Air Carrier portfolio. We are also in ongoing discussions with other possible airline entrants to further increase service to/from the PNS market.
Let me close out by expressing my sincere appreciation to our community. Thank you for joining us in our efforts to keep and make PNS the Airport of choice. As the largest Airport between New Orleans and Jacksonville, and further on down to Tampa, we consider ourselves the Gateway to the GulfCoast. With that said, comes the responsibility to provide and deliver the Fly Easy promise to our community………you deserve it! Please know you have a team of hard-working individuals, many of whom are your neighbors and friends. They come to work, day in and day out with the intention of making both our community and its Airport a better place.
My Sincere Appreciation,
Matthew F. Coughlin
Airport Executive Director, Pensacola International Airport |
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