Expansions coming to SWFL International Airport

Southwest Florida International Airport will soon begin the first stages of an extensive renovation and expansion project.

It’s expected to take three years, starting in October. This will be the second-largest public works project in Lee County history, surpassed only by the airport’s Midfield terminal complex, which was completed in 2005.

The $331 million project will focus on improving RSW’s efficiency by consolidating and streamlining security checkpoints, adding concession space and providing passengers with more amenities and options overall. A 16-lane TSA checkpoint, new walkways and a business lounge will be included as some of the project’s results. RSW has had record-breaking traffic this summer, and the Lee County Board of Port Commissioners sees this project as a sensible next step to accommodate that growth.

WINK News spoke with some travelers as they waited to catch their flights, and they said while they haven’t run into many problems at RSW to begin with, they’re excited to see what the expansion will bring.

“Hopefully we don’t lose that hometown kind of feel, you know,” said Jim Cummings. “But if it does offer more destinations and more people coming here, [it] will probably grow the area… I think we’re looking forward to it.”

“The expansion will be good because we’ll have a variety of flights, more destinations, maybe larger planes,” said Michele Cummings. “With any growth comes adjustments, good and bad, right? But hopefully they’ll be for the better.”

The project will be funded with grants from the Florida Department of Transportation, passenger facility charges, airport revenue bonds and Lee County Port Authority construction funds. No property taxes go toward airport operation or construction.

In addition to enhancing the passenger experience, the expansion is set to create hundreds of jobs for the local economy.