The new terminal will create 740 long-term jobs in the region and is expected to double the airport’s capacity over the next decade
(EDMONDS, WA) – Today, Pullman Moscow Airport celebrates the opening of a new three-gate passenger terminal, funded in part by federal grants initiated by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.
“This new terminal is more than just a building, it is an economic engine for the Palouse,” said Senator Cantwell. “Thanks to the bipartisan infrastructure bill, we have created 850 good-paying construction jobs, and within 15 years, the airport is expected to generate over $40 million in gross regional product and support more than 740 long-term indirect jobs. A modern terminal with capacity for more flights will also make Pullman a more attractive location for new and growing companies.”
Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport began construction of the terminal building in August 2022. The airport’s current terminal is 8,785 square feet and consists of one ground-level pier. The new terminal building is almost five times larger at 47,500 square feet and has three piers.
Of the total project cost of $89.1 million, $75.1 million – or 84% – came from federal funds.
The project benefited from the expanded national investment in airports under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) initiated by Cantwell. The new Pullman-Moscow Airport terminal project received two grants totaling $18.1 million from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Terminal Program (ATP), a new BIL program.
The total financing of the new terminal by the federal government is as follows:
- FAA discretion: $43.2 million
- BIL Airport Terminal Program: $18.1 million
- CARES Act: $10.4 million
- FAA claim: $2 million
- BIL Airport Improvement Grants: $1.4 million
- TOTAL: $75.1 million
Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport recorded 75,027 boardings in 2022, a record high. From 2021 to 2022, boardings at Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport increased by 38% and from 2009 to 2022 by 149%. The airport expects the number of boardings to more than double to 155,000 by 2034.
The new terminal will allow for more flights. Currently, the airport has a maximum of three flights to and from Seattle per day. On average, these flights are 81% full. The additional capacity of the new terminal will allow the airport to handle five flights per day to Seattle. The passenger experience will also improve, as two of the gates will have jet bridges for above-ground boarding.
Senator Cantwell helped secure billions of dollars in funding for air traffic infrastructure across the country under the BIL. With her support, the infrastructure package provided a total of $25 billion for airport improvements, including $5 billion for the ATP, $5 billion for FAA air traffic control facilities, and $15 billion in airport infrastructure grants.
