The Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority (GARAA) awarded Hensel Phelps the CM at Risk contract for the Terminal Modernization and Expansion at Asheville Regional Airport (AVL), the 10th busiest U.S. regional airport serving 1.6M passengers annually. The project will transform the existing seven-gate single-story terminal into a two-story 12-gate facility, expanding from 115,000 SF to 275,000 SF. Key upgrades include an expanded security checkpoint to accommodate future growth, a resized ticketing lobby designed for new carriers and evolving check-in technology, and a modernized baggage claim hall to support the airport’s fleet mix and passenger volume. The baggage handling system will be consolidated to improve efficiency, and a new Central Energy Plant will provide increased capacity, redundancy and sustainability. A second-level concourse will offer expanded hold rooms, upgraded passenger boarding bridges, enhanced concessions, a common-use club lounge and additional restrooms to improve the passenger experience. A new loading dock and storage areas will support concessionaires and airport deliveries, while an improved curbside and entrance façade will create a cohesive and modern aesthetic. Strategically phased construction will keep the airport fully operational incorporating temporary gates, tenant relocations and new baggage systems before decommissioning existing infrastructure.
