In the past two years, the number of airlines offering international service at Mineta San José International Airport has grown from three to nine. With the dramatic growth, SJC needed to expand and improve its International Arrivals Building to better accommodate the surge in international passengers, which is why airport and U.S. Customs & Border Protection officials cut the ribbon today to officially open an $8.2 million expansion to the facility.
Funded by unspent bond proceeds from the Terminal B project in 2010, the expansion project adds 2,700 square feet and a second baggage carousel in the secure Customs area where passengers can now gather their belongings faster and more efficiently. Perhaps even more notable to friends and family who no longer will need to brave the elements to greet arriving international passengers, the project also adds 3,085 square feet of an enclosed, temperature-controlled waiting area.
“This is a great day for SJC and our passengers,” said San Jose Director of Aviation Kim Becker. “Having just come through the wettest winter in years, we’re thrilled that we now can bring friends and family in from out of the rain while they wait to welcome arriving international passengers. SJC’s exponential growth in international service over the past couple of years was a great motivator to get this project done, and I salute the team here at America’s fastest-growing airport for making it happen.”
Becker was joined in the ribbon cutting by U.S. Customs & Border Protection Acting Area Port Director Steven Baxter, Airport Deputy Director for Planning & Development Judy M. Ross A.A.E., Lead Project Manager and Airport Senior Architect Aaron Ushiro, Christine Laing of project architect Gensler, Jeff Sedlak from project architect Jacobs, Don Teixeira representing contractor Rodan Builders and Alex Giammona of Integra Construction Services.
Begun in May, 2016, the construction mostly occurred during overnight hours when arriving passengers were not occupying the facility, meaning the project had to be completed in stages. The final remaining step is to complete construction of new restrooms in the waiting area.
“Our investments in enhanced amenities will provide international travelers with an outstanding experience,” said San José Mayor Sam Liccardo. “These improvements ensure that Mineta San Jose International Airport remains a world-class, state-of-the-art airport for years to come.”
All arriving international travelers, with the exception of those flying on Air Canada from Vancouver (a pre-clearance airport for U.S. flights), are greeted at the International Arrivals Building. SJC offers nonstop service to eight international destinations. Along with its airline partners, SJC offers international service to these cities:
- Beijing – Hainan Airlines
- Cabo San Lucas – Alaska Airlines
- Frankfurt – Lufthansa German Airlines
- Guadalajara – Alaska Airlines, Volaris and Aeromexico (inaugurating service 7/1/17)
- London/Heathrow – British Airways
- Shanghai – Air China
- Tokyo/Narita – All Nippon Airways
- Vancouver – Air Canada (a pre-clearance airport to the U.S.)
Project Team:
Aaron Ushiro, Airport Senior Architect – Lead Project Manager
Supported by:
Benjamin Gonzalez, Victor Gubatina, Ross Bayer, Patrick Crowley (Baggage System), Jose Avalos, Bob Rohrig
Assistance from:
Lili Etessam, Katherine Brown
Project Architects:
