Business Traveler, Dec/Jan 2021

D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 0 J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 1 TA K E O F F S A N D L A N D I N G S 4 5 SLC is an important hub for Delta Air Lines and this significant upgrade over the airports original facilities most of which will soon be demolished was a much needed enhancement even before the days of coronavirus Part of the old terminal complex required passengers traveling on regional jets to walk outside to the plane exposing them to cold temperatures and precipitation in chillier months Now all gates have jet bridges although there are some gates for regional aircraft where a shuttle drives travelers from the terminal to the plane On opening day Bill Wyatt the airports executive director said To say we are excited to be here today is an understatement After six years of construction and many more years of planning we are proud to open the first new US hub airport in the 21st century As the first entirely new hub airport facility to open SLC is A n important gateway to the western US has a lot to celebrate as Salt Lake Citys beautiful new terminal dubbed The New SLC has opened in the midst of a global pandemic Salt Lake City SLC unveiled the first phase of its new 4 million square foot terminal complex in September with a second concourse opening a month later to great fanfare Construction for the new airport began in 2014 When all phases of the facilities are complete the airport will be able to accommodate 34 million travelers annually as SLC sets its sights on future growth far beyond the world of COVID 19 and the outmoded 50 year old facility it replaces W O R D S R A M S E Y Q U B E I N b u s i n e s s t r a v e l e r u s a c o m already prepared for the next stages of growth Additional phases in the airports development which will be implemented based on demand include the option to add more gates to the concourse buildings for further expansion The airport was built without using any local tax dollars and instead relied on the airports own revenue as well as funding from passenger facility charges fees typically tacked onto an airline ticket bonds and federal grants SMART SPACES The airport is on track to achieve LEED Gold Certification from the US Green Building Council recognizing its impressive efforts for sustainable design In addition to using locally sourced materials and energy efficient systems in the architecture the airports ground equipment is electric which helps to reduce the airports output of greenhouse gases by 8000 metric tons of each year In the 3600 space parking deck twice as many spaces as before the airport has added more charging ports for electric vehicles The stunning terminals feature plentiful natural light through 50 foot tall windows with panoramic views of the apron The buildings design and architecture are inspired by the areas canyon and mountain landscape with lighting that adjusts throughout the day to mimic sunlight and shadows Concourse A West houses 25 gates for Delta Air Lines while Concourse B has 21 gates for all other SLC airlines as well as several more gates to be used by Delta The airport now has six gates equipped for international flights which means they are directly connected to Customs and Border FROM LEFT Salt Lake City SLC terminals Teminal 1 past security