US: BWI set to begin $60m expansion of its international terminal

Baltimore-Washington International Marshall Airport is set to begin a $60m expansion of its international terminal this spring. The state Board of Public Works on Wednesday approved issuing the $60m contract to Baltimore-based Whiting Turner Contracting Company. The construction, to be completed next year, will add six new airline gates: two full-service gates with airline hold rooms and four arrival-only gates. Maryland and airport officials say a three-level, 70,000 square foot extension to Concourse E will support growing international traffic at BWI, which in the past couple of years has grown by 40%. Officials say this next phase of development at the terminal will ensure the airport remains a choice for travelers in the Washington region while it continues to see steady growth in international traffic. Last year 25.1 million passengers flew through BWI, the busiest airport in the region. BWI’s international traffic has been a key factor in the airport’s record-setting growth. More than 1.2 million airport passengers flew nonstop to and from international destinations in 2016, according to the airport.<br/>