SOUTH BEND - Travelers flying out of South Bend Regional Airport this morning will notice some major changes there.

The second half of a new 45,000-square-foot concourse will open to arriving and departing flights, leaving just one phase remaining in the airport's $15.5 million expansion.

That third and final phase will expand the existing security checkpoint at the concourse's entrance.

Work on the new checkpoint is scheduled to continue until mid-January. In the meantime, travelers will pass through a temporary screening area set up between the Allegiant Air ticket counter and the airport's Aviation Museum.

John Schalliol, executive director of the St. Joseph County Airport Authority, said Wednesday that contractors would begin moving the security equipment after the day's final flight departed about 8 p.m. They would need to finish setting up the temporary screening area before this morning's first passengers started checking in about 4:30 a.m., he said.

"It's going to be a very busy afternoon, evening and early morning," Schalliol said as contractors worked on a covered walkway that will link the temporary screening area with the new concourse.

The first phase of the airport's new concourse opened in November with a restaurant, gift shop, lounge with a full bar and business center with free wireless Internet access.