We have space constraints, many of which are the result of how much in-airport operations changed after 9/11. Those constraints will only be enhanced as our traffic grows over time.
Our plan needs to include modifications to open up the terminal and better reflect traffic behaviors in today and in the future.
Here’s what is being proposed:
Expand Baggage Claim Our plan creates opportunity to open up a third baggage claim belt, but also creates a lot more room behind the scenes for operations. More room for airlines to deliver baggage to the claim area can reduce customer waiting time and improve airline personnel efficiency which, in turn, can also reduce flight delays
Expand Ticket Counter and Baggage Make-up/Screening: The proposed plan looks at maximizing ticket counter space by moving TSA bag screening machines currently in the ticketing lobby to back-of-house and centralizing TSA screening functions and constructing new airline baggage staging/sortation spaces for efficiency. Additionally, we are planning to accommodate new and future technology and equipment. Increasingly, airlines are moving to a self-service models. The plan provides space for the potential to add self-tagging bag drop stations and kiosks.
Expand Concourse Space: Our gate hold rooms are currently sized for smaller aircraft and even today can become crowded with larger aircraft and popular flights. As aircraft size continues to increase, ROA will need to add gate/hold room and concessions space to accommodate higher passenger numbers per flight. Our plan would widen the concourse to allow all gates to accommodate the larger aircraft and provide ample space for the additional passengers.
Reopen Gate 1: TSA Checkpoint operations currently take place in the former Gate 1 hold room. Relocating the Checkpoint provides an extra gate for potential new flight operations.
Relocate and Expand TSA Checkpoint: Our preferred alternative proposes relocating TSA toward the front of the building to allow expanded space for the screening equipment and functions as well as additional space for customer queuing and a separate entrance for TSA Pre-Check customers. Our current configuration could not accommodate the checkpoint through-put needed to accommodate larger passenger volumes.