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Airports

Key West International Airport Unveils $130 Million Modernization Project

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Key West International Airport (EYW) has reached a significant milestone with the grand opening of its new Concourse A, a $130 million generational project aimed at addressing environmental, social, and economic impacts. This 48,802-square-foot concourse has been under construction since late 2022 and features cutting-edge design elements, including floor-to-ceiling glass, glass jetways, and first-class amenities.

Key Takeaways:

  • The airport has invested $130 million in the modernization project, focusing on environmental, social, and economic impacts.
  • The new Concourse A features a 48,802-square-foot design, with 446 panels of impact-resistant wind code glass and electrochromic glass that can switch between transparent and opaque states.
  • The terminal's design includes bird-safe glazing with a pattern of small dots to prevent birds from flying into the glass wall.
  • The airport has experienced record-breaking numbers in the last five years, with 1.5 million passengers in 2024 and nonstop service to 18 destinations.
  • The airport has added an additional carrier, Breeze Airways, to its lineup, which provides nonstop service to destinations including Washington D.C.
  • The airport's transformation includes features designed for resilience, such as building the entire facility 14 and a half feet above ground elevation with reinforced structural columns to withstand storm surge and associated wave action.
  • The terminal will serve as a model for future airport development, focusing on sustainability, customer experience, and hurricane resilience.
  • The second phase of construction has begun, including additional upgrades to the existing facility, such as a new pedestrian bridge, a new and expanded baggage claim and arrivals area, and a new multiple-lane security checkpoint.

Statistics:

  • $130 million invested in the modernization project
  • 48,802 square feet of the new Concourse A
  • 446 panels of impact-resistant wind code glass
  • 1.5 million passengers served in 2024
  • 18 destinations served by nonstop flights
  • 5 years of record-breaking passenger growth
  • Summer 2026 completion of the second phase of construction
  • 79 years of experience for McFarland-Johnson, Inc.

Sources:

  • "Environmental, social, and economic impacts are key considerations for the $130 million airport modernization underway at the Key West International Airport (EYW)." PR Newswire, May 20, 2025.
  • "The Key West International Airport Concourse A transformation into the 21st century is an amazing upgrade for arriving and departing passengers... We still have some finishing touches but all who pass through this facility will be in awe of the results achieved by the team that made this happen," said Monroe County Mayor Jim Scholl. PR Newswire, May 20, 2025.
  • "Reimagining the Key West Airport required us to focus on airport efficiencies and delivering a greatly improved customer experience while also addressing environmental impacts, long-term sustainability, and hurricane standards related to wind and storm surge," said John Mafera, Vice President and Regional Director of Aviation for McFarland Johnson. PR Newswire, May 20, 2025.
  • McFarland-Johnson, Inc. Website, "About Us," accessed May 20, 2025.

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