The construction of the new Lafayette Regional Airport terminal is on schedule and under budget.
Steven Picou, Executive Director of the airport said rain has not affected the project.
The new terminal is approximately 120,000 square feet, double the size of the current building. There will be five jet bridges with the possibility of adding two more.
The terminal is being built with growth in mind.
"The gate areas will be built to hold 737 traffic which currently does not service the Lafayette area. However, in the event that aircraft get larger, they will come here and the airport will be able to grow with that demand," Picou said.
There will be three main entrances.
The first floor will house airline ticket counters, baggage claim and rental car kiosks.
Picou said upstairs, "The checkpoint will have two security lanes with the ability to expand to three."
One thing Lafayette Regional is looking to do is to allow non-flyers to go past the TSA checkpoint to enjoy the amenities of the new terminal.
"We'll be working with TSA where an individual can come in, get a pass, go through the proper screening and then enjoy a meal here at the airport, watch aircraft, leave and continue on with their day," Picou said.
The airport will have several restaurants, a bar and a small shop. Also, there will be sprawling views of the runway.
Picou said the airport will continue to be a major economic driver for Acadiana.
"For every dollar that is spent in an airport, it's a 4x multiplier. It creates four dollars in the community. People come here for work, for pleasure and this will be their fist glimpse to see what Lafayette is all about."
As for the possibility of the airport growing beyond a regional hub, Picou said, "There's been activity and talk about that, having international flights. We're entertaining that and looking at it. There are so many I's to be dotted and T's to be crossed working with the United States Customs and Border Patrol with having international flights. If someone comes to us, we'll figure a solution to make it work."
With a larger facility, the airport will also add multiple new jobs.
We're told this upcoming March, the building should be weatherproof and crews will start working on installing the HVAC system.
Construction is expected to be complete by September 2021.
