Akron-Canton Airport Debuts New $37 Million Gate Area; All that’s Missing are the Passengers
GREEN, Ohio — The Akron-Canton Airport this week debuted a gleaming, light-filled, $37-million gate expansion project – all it needs now are passengers.
Ren Camacho, president and CEO of the airport, defended the timing of the expansion, in the middle of a historic downturn in air travel due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“With all the air-service challenges we have faced over the years, I’m often asked whether this project was necessary. My response, ‘Absolutely,’ " said Camacho at a ribbon-cutting Thursday. “Our success hinges on positioning our facility to take advantage of any opportunities that may come our way. This project positions the airport for many years of growth and prosperity while maintaining our convenient and relaxing experience for our travelers.”
Eventually, he said, air traffic will return, although it could take several years.
Even before the pandemic, air traffic at Akron- Canton had been trending down, a function of increased competition from nearby Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Southwest Airlines, for example, left Akron- Canton in 2017 to expand at Hopkins. This year, Delta Air Lines pulled out due to declining demand.
In 2019, the airport welcomed 834,365 passengers, down from more than 1.8 million in 2012. And passenger numbers this year are down more than 75% from a year ago.
To reflect smaller passenger numbers, the number of gates at the airport has actually decreased with this renovation, from 11 to nine. There is room to grow, however, if passenger numbers substantially rebound, Camacho said.
The gate project has been years in the making, part of a $115-million capital project that started in 2015 and also included improvements to the airfield, ticketing area and parking. A dark, cramped section of the terminal, which formerly housed gates for American and Delta airlines, was torn down over the summer.
The two-story addition – off the southern end of the terminal – means Akron- Canton travelers should never again have to go outside to board or exit their aircraft. All of the new gates are equipped with jet bridges that connect the terminal to awaiting planes.
Amenities of the new space include lots of seating and charging stations, a business lounge, local artwork, kids’ play area, a room for children with sensory issues, a room for nursing moms, a pet-relief area and more.
One amenity that isn’t ready: a new restaurant, initially planned as a sit-down eatery. Camacho said officials are waiting until the pandemic is over before deciding what kind of dining experience will take up the space. He expects the new restaurant to open by next summer.
Passenger Ike Sherlock, a business traveler on his way home to Jacksonville, Florida, was impressed with the renovation.
“I fly all the time – or I flew all the time,” said Sherlock, who travels to Canton often but was making his first trip to Ohio since March.
Noting the concourse’s clean, open spaces, and numerous charging stations, he said, “I’ve been to a lot of airports. This is really nice. It’s like a real A-level airport.”
The only thing missing: more travelers like him. The arrivals and departures board on the concourse wall listed just eight arrivals and four departures for the afternoon and evening.
Lisa Dalpiaz, director of marketing and air service development, said activity at the airport is expected to increase in the coming weeks, as Spirit Airlines resumes service to Tampa and Fort Myers and United restarts flights to Washington Dulles airport.
Read more:
Akron-Canton Airport hopes that $1 million incentive will lure Delta Air Lines back
Cleveland Hopkins holiday flier’s guide: Fares drop, flights decrease, but routes to Florida on the rise
___
(c)2020 The Plain Dealer, Cleveland
Visit The Plain Dealer, Cleveland at www.cleveland.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
