The new terminal 1 at San Diego International Airport opens with the first flights arriving Monday evening. Departing flights begin Tuesday.
When the airport closes the existing terminal 1, that building will be demolished to make room for the next phase of construction.
The nearly four billion dollar project will help meet passenger demand through at least 2035, when 39 annual travelers are expected to travel through the airport.
"In 2024, we had almost 10 million people travel through that airport," said Nicole Hall, the San Diego International Airport's spokesperson, speaking with reporting partner 10 News. "It was cramped, and it did not offer some of the modern things that many airports offer. So in designing this terminal, we knew we needed to look at the customer experience and offer more space in our hold rooms. More seating, more restaurants."
The new terminal will add 19 new gates, with 11 more expected when the next phase is completed.
(Pic: KNSD)