BWI Opens Upgraded Concourse; Passenger Traffic Hits Record High

LINTHICUM, MD — A new concourse extension opened Monday at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. The $48 million project added 55,000 square feet to Concourse A, which serves Southwest Airlines. The expansion includes:

• Five new gates
• Three new food and retail concessions
• New airline hold rooms and jet bridges
• Upgraded restrooms

"BWI Marshall Airport serves as a critical engine for economic development and job creation," Gov. Larry Hogan said in a press release after he cut the ribbon. "Our investment at BWI supports Maryland tourism and trade. As the state and the travel industry continue to recover, I want to thank our dedicated airport employees who have worked so hard to provide healthy, safe travel for our passengers."

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Travel Surges At BWI

The capital improvement finished as air travel demand spiked. BWI screened 24,423 passengers on May 13. That was the airport's busiest day since the coronavirus pandemic struck Maryland in March 2020.

This is part of a month-long surge in traffic. April saw 502,153 departing passengers, which was up 1,312 percent compared to April 2020. The early days of the pandemic saw a 96 percent reduction in air travel compared to spring 2019.

Airlines have noticed this travel itch. Southwest has added at least seven new routes from BWI in recent months.

"As vaccination rates climb, Americans are eager to travel," BWI Executive Director Ricky Smith said in a separate release. "We expect passenger growth to accelerate in coming months. The airport and our partners remain focused on providing healthy, safe travel for our customers."

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BWI Businesses Reopen

BWI has gradually reopened amenities for travelers. Long Term Parking Lot A returned to service in April. About 71 percent of the airport's shops and restaurants are open. These businesses are also beefing up their staffs, as several hosted a virtual hiring fair a few weeks ago.

The terminal also welcomed a new art exhibit earlier this month. A space photo display followed about a week later.

"Our team and our partners at BWI Marshall Airport are responding quickly – and with the utmost focus on safety – as air travelers return to the skies," Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Greg Slater said in a statement. "The numbers we’re seeing reflect customers’ confidence in the comfortable, efficient service they receive from our airport and our carriers."

Vacations Return

A Destination Analysts survey found that 36 percent of participants think travel will get back to normal this summer. Another 42 percent predicted it will be all set by the fall.

With deals abound, AAA travel agents have seen heavy interest in Florida, Mexico and other Caribbean destinations. Those who don't want to fly have opted for road trips to national parks, the agency added.

"As the vaccine continues to roll out across the country, travel dreams are beginning to optimistically seem more realistic," John Townsend II, AAA Mid-Atlantic's manager of public and government affairs, said in a release. "This summer and fall will see more people traveling, addressing their need to get away for a break from everyday stressors."

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Safety Measures Implemented

This travel surge comes after the Transportation Security Administration upped its coronavirus prevention efforts at airports across the country.

President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Feb. 2 requiring travelers to mask up. Security officials reported a "significant level of compliance thus far."

The regulation was set to expire on May 11, but the TSA extended its mask mandate on April 30. Passengers must now wear face coverings through Sept. 13. This still applies to Maryland, even though the state lifted its universal mask requirement on May 14.

The TSA has also encouraged its front-line officers to get the coronavirus vaccine. The organization additionally installed contactless scanners in many airports to reduce potential transmission.

BWI took it a step further. The airport introduced a real-time physical distancing tracker on Jan. 22. The digital billboard at security checkpoint B alerts travelers when they are standing too close in line.

"BWI Marshall Airport has implemented many measures to help protect passengers and employees," Smith said in another press release. "This innovation provides real-time data on passenger flow so we can notify travelers and manage separation."

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RELATED:

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• BWI Has Busiest Day In Year; Southwest Adds New Beach Destination
• Travel Increases At BWI, Suggests Vacations Are Returning
• BWI Adds Real-Time Social Distancing Tracker At Security Checkpoint

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