XNA Airport Development in Works for Northwest Arkansas

The Benton County Daily Record reported this week that the expansion of a second runway at XNA airport has begun in Highfill.

Although ridership was down slightly this year, it is viewed by XNA Airport officials as a temporary setback, due to the economy. The alternative landing surface runway at XNA is nearing completion. The last phase of the project, which will include paving and electrical work, should be completed by the end of 2010. The existing runway will be resurfaced upon completion of the second runway so that the airport will not have to shut down air service.

The improvements to XNA have cost the airport little. The airport received federal grant money for the project, and additional federal funds are expected to be awarded this fall.

The next project for XNA will be redesigning and expanding the upper level concourse. Gates will be added and moved, and a full-scale concession and retail area will be added. XNA officials have already paid for design work on the project. The expansion is estimated at $25 million, and the airport would need to raise about $12 million to finish the project. The expansion is expected to double the revenue to at least half a million a year. Bids have come in under expectations as the recession forces contractors to lower prices, so the project may win approval sooner rather than later.

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