City: Midland International Will Get Sixth Gate

Midland International Airport will be getting a sixth gate.

After the Midland City Council on Tuesday approved executing a professional service agreement for projects taking place at Midland International, Director of Airports Justine Ruff said the sixth gate will be added within a year

The sixth gate will help with the overflow around the gate currently used by American Eagle, Ruff said Tuesday. It is expected to be on the south side of the terminal with an elevated walkway that is connected to a boarding bridge.

Ruff said the five other “jet bridges” at Midland International are being replaced as part of improvements.

The airport was 11.7 percent busier last fiscal year than the previous year, according to city records. The data also show that more than 650,000 passengers flew out of Midland in FY 2019-20 using American Eagle, Southwest Airlines and United. The total number passengers -- those flying in and out -- reached 1.294 million.

During the 2009-10 fiscal year, the city reported 426,648 boardings and 849,149 total passengers.

“The gate is a go,” said Ruff, who added that the Federal Aviation Administration is expected to contribute 90 percent of the funding for the new gate.

The amendment to an agreement with the engineering firm Parkhill, Smith & Cooper that was approved by the council on Tuesday also provides certain funding for engineering services related to airfield pavement marking, reconstruction of Cargo Road and a consolidated rental car facility.

Ruff told the Reporter-Telegram there are two options being looked at for the rental car facility. One option would be close to the terminal; the other would place the facility farther away in a lot currently being used for overflow parking.

Ruff told the Midland City Council that the improvements are part of a master plan created early in the previous decade. She also said that airports officials are looking for rental car companies to partner with the city on the project. It was stated during the meeting that rental car companies at Midland International are doing quite well right now.

The Airport Department’s share of design work and other project work being paid for at this time is about $1 million, which doesn’t include the $1.3 million in FAA contributions. Any city of Midland airport money spent comes from the Airport Operating Fund, which is supported by fees paid at the airport, not General Fund revenue, according to the city.

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