By Mark Hansel
NKyTribune managing editor
Officials from the Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport provided a construction update and offered some information on holiday travel at a media event this week.
Mindy Kershner, Sr. Manager, Communications & Community Affairs at CVG provides an update on construction projects at the airport (photo by Mark Hansel).
CVG is now the fastest-growing airport in the country, and serves more local passengers, with lower fares than ever before.
Mindy Kershner, Sr. Manager, Communications & Community Affairs at CVG said the upgrades are designed to improve the customer experience, but there will be some growing pains.
Kershner said CVG is encouraging passengers to still arrive to the airport about two hours in advance of a flight.
“Put in about five to ten more minutes of wiggle room there, just so you can slow down a little bit, pay attention to the signage as you are driving in,” Kershner said. “Because there are some changes. We haven’t changed the front entrance in about 30 years, so nothing drastic, but just some changes to pay attention to.”
Currently, passengers drive in a wide-sweeping loop to the departures ramp for drop-off or to enter the garage. A temporary road has been added, which requires a sharp left turn to enter the garage.
When construction is completed, there will be a direct road into the airport, with a new elevated departures ramp and a new arrivals ramp.
There will be a new entrance plaza to the garage as well.
Rental Car Facility Timeline. Click to enlarge
A consolidated rental car facility that is scheduled for completion late in 2021 will allow passengers to get a vehicle without having to take a shuttle. Construction on that project is expected to begin next year.
“There are a couple of changes happening for this (holiday) season and there will be more that we can share as we enter the next season,” Kershner said.
Some of the changes will be in place for this holiday season, but the project is ongoing and CVG will continue to provide updates to minimize the impact to travelers.
As volume continues to increase, CVG encourages passengers to be aware of impact on travelers.
With that in mind, CVG has provided the following projections and information to make preparation for holiday travel as convenient as possible:
Anticipated holiday travel at CVG:
*Thanksgiving week (Nov. 20 – Nov. 26): CVG is planning to serve more than 162,000 passengers (inbound/outbound), 6 percent increase over 2017.
*December holidays (Dec. 21 – Dec. 30): CVG is planning to serve more than 225,000 passengers (inbound/outbound), 11 percent increase over 2017.
*Parking options continue to be the CVG Terminal Garage and ValuPark with an additional overflow lot. The overflow lot will only open during peak travel times and holidays, or when the ValuPark lot is full. Signs and staff will direct passengers to this lot.
*Roadway construction continues at CVG to make way for a new entrance to the Terminal and connection to the future consolidated rental car facility. CVG is encouraging travelers to allow for additional travel time, take notice of construction wayfinding signage, and visit CVGairport.com or follow CVG on Twitter or Facebook for updates.
Construction overview. Click to enlarge.
There are also additional concession options available, or in the pipeline, for travelers this holiday season and beyond, including:
*16 new retail shops coming over the next two years.
*Ida’s Seat reopening this month in Concourse B.
*Cork N’ Bottle kiosk opening in the coming weeks in Concourse A.
*Christian Moerlein Taproom expected to open early 2019.
*New spa expected to open summer 2019.
To follow the progress of construction at CVG, click here.
Contact Mark Hansel at mark.hansel@nkytrib.com
