Ribbon Cut at New Long Beach Airport Facilities

City officials commemorated the completion of the new Ticketing Lobby and Checked Baggage Inspection System (CBIS) facility at Long Beach Airport (LGB) on Wednesday, April 27, with plans to welcome the community to an Open House on Saturday, April 30. The events celebrate two major projects, which are part of a $110 million Phase II – Terminal Area Improvement Program to make strategic pre-security enhancements at LGB.

“The new ticketing facility and baggage inspection system will make our airport an even better experience for air-travelers,” Mayor Robert Garcia said during the Ribbon Cutting attended by local civic and business leaders, members of the press and airport partners. “These two projects reflect a $52 million dollar investment in our airport’s infrastructure, funded from airport revenue and federal grant funding.”

The $26 million investment in the Ticketing Lobby—designed by Corgan and constructed by Swinerton—complements the adjacent historic terminal and builds upon LGB’s status as a first-class gateway to Southern California, holding a special niche in the aviation industry with its easy access, sustainable facilities and welcoming feel for travelers.

The Ticketing Lobby’s official opening day will be Wednesday, May 4. Features of the 16,700-square-foot facility, which is anticipated to receive a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification, include:

• Common use ticket counters and self-service kiosks for greater flexibility according to flight schedules and demand.
• Ticket counters and well-positioned kiosks with non-porous, anti-microbial surfaces.
• Ample square footage for improved passenger circulation.
• Improved baggage checking.
• Optimized energy performance, LED lighting and reduced indoor and outdoor water usage.

Ticketing services were previously centered in the historic terminal building, which is scheduled to undergo major renovations, including a seismic upgrade, and eventually transition into space dedicated to rental car customer service functions.

The state-of-the-art $25.5 million CBIS facility, at 6,545 square feet and connected to the Ticketing Lobby, allows the Transportation and Security Administration (TSA) to more efficiently screen checked baggage. It replaces what was originally designed to be an interim facility after the events of 9/11. Relocating these functions restore access to the west side of the historic terminal, revealing its classic design.

The newer, larger Ticketing Lobby, as well as the new CBIS facility, represent the first two components of the Phase II – Terminal Area Improvement Program, to be completed. A Baggage Claim facility is currently under construction and scheduled to open in late 2022.

Phase I of the Terminal Area Improvement Program, which included $100 million in various priority projects, was completed in 2012 and culminated with the award-winning, LEED Silver certified passenger concourse featuring modern design, local eateries and an innovative indoor-outdoor design with a spacious post-security garden. Phase I also included construction of Parking Structure B.

“As we saw with the award-winning Phase I improvements to the passenger concourse and new parking structure back in 2012—which added modern design elements, an emphasis on local eateries and an innovative indoor-outdoor design—these latest updates at Long Beach Airport are sure to bring a lot of excitement to our city,” said Councilwoman Stacy Mungo Flanigan.

“Our City is committed to continuing to modernize our nearly 100-year-old airport—which has such a rich aviation history—so that it can continue to serve our community and travelers for another century or more,” said Councilman Daryl Supernaw.

On Saturday, the Open House takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free public event includes tours of the new Ticketing Lobby, family-friendly activities, music and light refreshments. Air carriers, concessionaires and other airport-based companies will also be recruiting for open positions based at LGB. Parking is complimentary.

“The airport team is looking forward to seeing our community come together this weekend to celebrate these modernizations at Long Beach Airport,” said Airport Director Cynthia Guidry. “I am honored to steward the legacy of Long Beach Airport and now contribute significant modernization projects to its rich aviation history. This renews the passenger experience and positions Long Beach Airport for the future.”

LGB offers nonstop service to 16 destinations across the nation, including Hawaii. Learn more at www.lgb.org/destinations.