From the Director’s Desk: Building the Future of our Airport
October 14, 2024
As we move into the latter part of the year, many construction projects typically begin winding down. However, with Project GATEWAY in full swing and another exciting project on the horizon, our work shows no signs of slowing.
Since we broke ground on our terminal transformation in April, the future of the Quad Cities International Airport has truly begun to take shape. We’ve made significant progress—half of our ticketing counters have been rebuilt, and airline and TSA office spaces, break rooms, and training rooms are being completely renovated. If you’ve been through the terminal recently, you’ve probably noticed the first section of these new counters and flooring behind them, offering a glimpse of what’s to come when Project GATEWAY is fully realized.
One of the key features of this renovation is the new take-back baggage belt system, which will improve the efficiency of baggage handling by connecting ticket counters directly to TSA’s screening equipment. The addition, which spans 14,100 square feet, will streamline operations for the airlines. Although there’s still about seven months of work ahead, we’re well on track.
We understand that major construction projects can be disruptive, but our goal throughout each phase of Project GATEWAY is to minimize the impact on passengers as much as possible. We’re committed to keeping everyone informed, and you can expect continued updates through email, our website, social media, and local news outlets.
While the terminal transformation is a focal point, we haven’t lost sight of the importance of our general aviation community. This year, we completed substantial upgrades to our general aviation ramp—a direct response to the exponential growth in this sector. With the establishment of a local EAA chapter, the expansion of Quad Cities Aero flight school, and record-breaking tower movements, investing in general aviation has never been more critical. Supporting this community helps foster the next generation of aviation professionals, and it’s an essential part of our mission.
Lastly, I’m proud to announce we recently secured $2.7 million in discretionary grant funding for an important airfield safety project. This will allow us to improve drainage by installing culverts to direct water underground, reducing the risk of attracting birds and wildlife that could pose hazards to aircraft. It’s similar to a larger project we completed around our primary runway a few years ago.
At Quad Cities International Airport, we have a capital improvement program that plans projects up to five years ahead. Securing federal grant funding is a competitive process, and these grants are crucial in supporting safety and security updates across our airport. We are incredibly grateful for the continued advocacy of Senators Durbin and Duckworth, as well as Congressman Sorensen, whose support has helped ensure we receive the discretionary funding needed to keep moving forward.
Thank you for your continued trust and support as we work to elevate the Quad Cities International Airport to new heights.