Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport hosted ribbon cutting ceremony

PULLMAN — A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place Saturday, Dec. 2, at the new Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport terminal.

The terminal project costs approximately $90 million, with $75 million from the federal government, including coronavirus relief funds.

The new 50,000-square-foot terminal is expected to be completed and open in May, officials said.

The terminal will feature three gates and is approximately six times larger than the size of the current terminal, officials said.

The new terminal will also incorporate a special check-in area for Washington State University, University of Idaho and visiting sports teams.

City of Pullman Mayor Glenn Johnson said the terminal is going from an 8000 square foot terminal built for 18 to 36 passengers.

Johnson said the terminal has been underway, and the architect and the construction crew have been working. “Terrific funding from our federal help,” he said, noting that several in Congress have backed the project.

Funding has come from COVID funds to help on the apron where aircraft are parked, loaded and unloaded, refueled, boarded, or maintained. As well as to help fund the terminal.

Johnson said the ribbon cutting was early even though the terminal is still being prepared because everyone’s schedules fit right.

He noted that several from local government were at the ribbon cutting, including County Commissioner Art Swannack, people from the Port of Whitman, and several from Latah County.

“It really shows the importance of this from the entire region,” he said.

Johnson said that Whitman County has helped pay for the terminal project with partners such as Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories.

“It’s going to be a great way to bring people to this region with a great first impression,” Johnson said, adding that it will be ready for passengers around May.

He added that it will have sky bridges to walk from the airport to the plane, so there will be a lot of learning for workers who must learn how to use it properly. “All kinds of things need to be used for training,” he said, noting that it won’t be until around May.