Greater Cincinnati is growing, and so is the region’s main airport.
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, known locally as CVG, will undergo a terminal modernization program called Elevate CVG. The program consists of a series of renovation projects and is in the works to “meet growing passenger demand” and strengthen the overall efficiency of operations, according to a press release.
The airport announced in its release last month that it has assembled the teams that will lead the program: AECOM Hunt − Skanska for design and construction and STV Construction for program management and construction.
“The modernization of CVG will be a game-changer, and AECOM Hunt – Skanska is proud to partner with CVG to reimagine and redefine the airport experience,” said Jerry Sheets, senior vice president of AECOM Hunt, in the release.
The two teams will also be joined by Germany-based Beumer Group, which will oversee the replacement of the baggage handling system, and O’Rourke Wrecking Company, which will handle the demolition.
The total program budget is estimated at $575 million, funded primarily by general airport revenue bonds, as well as federal and state grants.
“It is time to modernize our facilities for our travelers and employees, and we are taking a deliberate approach to increase efficiencies and improve the passenger experience,” said Candace McGraw, CEO of CVG, in the press release. “We are thrilled to have a qualified, collaborative team on board to assist with program/construction management and design and construction aspects of this complex, multi-year modernization program.”
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Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport will undergo Elevate CVG, a multi-year terminal modernization program.
Which facilities are being modernized at CVG?
CVG spokesperson Mindy Kershner said every passenger facility and aspect “will be renovated or upgraded in some capacity” through Elevate CVG. This includes all fixtures and finishes in the main terminal, baggage claim area, transport tunnel, concourses and toilets, all of which will also have their pipes replaced.
“We have very good bones and a very good foundation of our facilities, so the plan was to renovate and modernize rather than build new,” Kershner said.
The ticket lobby on the second level of the main terminal will be renovated and expanded.
Additional counters will be built in the customer service building on the east side of the main terminal, the back wall will be moved to increase queuing space at the existing ticket counters and the ticket offices will be moved to the mezzanine level.
The redesign of the ticket windows and concession areas will make way for more queuing space for the security checkpoint, known as TSA. Under the proposed plans, queuing space will increase from 9,900 square meters to 11,500 square meters.
In addition to a general renovation, the elevators and escalators in Concourses A and B will also be updated, Kershner said. She added that they might build additional elevators and escalators to promote “vertical circulation.”
The baggage handling system will undergo a complete overhaul, with the Beumer Group tasked with implementing an independent transportation system, Kershner said.
Under CVG’s current system, Kershner said checked bags must be sent to Concourse B, where they are subjected to a security check. If a traveler flies out of concourse A, their checked baggage must travel back from concourse B after that screening.
The new system will move the security screening process for checked baggage closer to the main terminal, reducing baggage travel time and increasing efficiency.
How long does the program last and when does it start?
The program is expected to be completed in 2029, but the projects are being implemented in phases.
Kershner said they have already started demolishing parts of the baggage system behind the scenes, which is expected to last until mid-2025. However, travelers won’t notice visible construction work at the airport until the first quarter of 2026, she added.
Currently, the program is still in the planning stages and a final design won’t be reached until sometime next year, Kershner said.
The airport has released a preliminary schedule for the program, detailing when each phase will take place between now and 2029. However, these times are subject to change. The full schedule can be seen in the graph below.
The preliminary schedule for each phase of the Elevate CVG modernization program. Times are subject to change.
Related: Frontier Airlines will offer nonstop flights from CVG to this southern city
What impact will the ongoing construction work have on travelers?
Elevate CVG’s program schedule includes a phased approach to minimize impact on travelers, the news release said.
Kershner said it is too early at this point to say how much impact construction will have on airport operations and travelers’ experiences.
Escape Lounge is getting an upgrade
In a completely separate project from Elevate CVG, the Escape Lounge will move to a new, larger location at the airport next year as part of a $7.4 million renovation of the lounge.
What you need to know about CVG
The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport opened in 1947 in Boone County, Kentucky, and has only grown since then.
The airport said in a presentation in May that it saw 8.7 million passengers in 2023, employs more than 16,000 on campus and contributed an economic impact of $9.3 billion – up from $6 billion last year. ten years. Moreover, it is the twelve largest cargo airport in the world.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Elevate CVG: Cincinnati airport undergoing major, multi-year renovation
