A $3 million expansion of the passenger terminal at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is now complete in time for the holiday season, the East Valley Tribune reported.
It took 2 1/2 months to build the 10,080-square-foot annex building, which stands next to the older passenger terminal. The new building will seat 500 passengers. An extra 300 parking spaces will be available in the overflow parking lot to cater to the packed flights expected this week.
"The expansion was done to deal with the holiday rush, to alleviate the secured area congestion," airport spokesman Brian Sexton said.
Allegiant Air needed more space in light of additional flights and lent the money to the Williams Gateway Airport Authority to facilitate that.
The loan will be recovered, with $1 million in interest, by charging a nominal fee to passengers who buy ticket with Allegiant.