Northwest Arkansas National Airport projects ‘reflecting’ growth of area

HIGHFILL, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Northwest Arkansas’ growth can be seen through travel coming through the area — on the ground and in the air.

To account for it, Northwest Arkansas National Airport has a series of projects, including the terminal modernization project, a new lounge, a new air traffic control tower and three new non-stop flights coming in the future.

“Our job and our responsibility as XNA airport is to make sure that the Northwest Arkansas passengers are as convenienced as possible,” Olivia Tyler with XNA said. “This is a regional asset, and so the more flights we get in and the more convenient we make their experience, the better.”

There have been more than 100,000 enplanements in both June and July — a number the airport has not seen in the past — bringing the total number for the year to more than 634,000.

The $34 million terminal modernization project will bring general improvements to the front terminal, adding escalators, improving the baggage claim area and adding multiple lanes to the pick-up and drop-off area, among other things. Its estimated completion is during the third quarter of 2025.

There is also a new lounge area coming by the end of 2024, which passengers can relax in while waiting for their next flight.

“They’ll be serving hot and cold dishes, as well as an array of local wines, beers and liquors,” Tyler said. “There’s going to be a plethora of reading materials that passengers can enjoy.”

Three new flight destinations are coming as well. Delta Airlines will service customers to Detroit beginning Nov. 11 and to Salt Lake City in February 2025. American Airlines will offer flights to Philadelphia, which are set to begin Dec. 19.

Tyler urges people to remain patient while the construction continues because the dividends they’ll pay will be greater in the end.

“While these projects may feel like a pain right now, and I understand that they certainly are,” Tyler said. “When we look back a year from now, we’re going to see a completely different airport, and that’s to serve Northwest Arkansas.”

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