Aviation View - June 2024

niche in mind. “We’re unique in the fact that we run athletic charters and commercial traffic through the same structure at the same time,” explains Bean. “It’s a very normal thing for us. It’s not normal for most markets.” Overall, the terminal construction project, including the revamped parking lot, cost $90 million. Interestingly, the project’s construction management company received permission from the FAA for contractors to inform on design as the project progressed. Enabling contractor input helped make the project cost-conscious, collaborative, and efficient. “I think we’re the second smaller airport in the state of Washington to go through the process,” says Bean. “Tri-Cities [Airport] did it. The bigger airports do it, but they’re not using federal funds, typically.” Best of all, this new terminal at PUW was built on a completely different site than the old terminal. That meant the entire airport could operate as usual while construction wrapped up. Once everything is ready, all the equipment, such as x-rays and rental cars, can be swapped over to the new terminal, where business carries on as usual. “The next morning will open up just like we were there, and we’ll start, but we’ll have additional capabilities,” says Bean. That seamless swap is rare nowadays. It’s also an economic godsend for Pullman-Moscow and the surrounding area, as commercial and corporate flights continue. FILLING OLD SPACE WITH NEW BUSINESS The old terminal building, which spans about 8,000 square feet, will soon be up for grabs. Ideally, Bean hopes to find a new business to fill that space, such as a cargo operator to use the existing infrastructure to move goods and services. On an economic level, the new terminal will have a massive impact, especially since the design was left open-ended. PUW hopes to one day expand the new 127 AVIATION VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 04, ISSUE 02 PULLMAN-MOSCOW REGIONAL AIRPORT