City council OKs Savannah Hilton Head Int'l Airport projects | News

By Don Logana - bio | email

SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - Savannah Hilton Head International Airport is getting ready for some expansions, renovations and repairs.

Thursday afternoon, Savannah City Council approved several projects sent to them from the Airport Commission, from basic fix-ups to a taxiway expansion. All projects combined will cost close to $10 million.

The city doesn't have to pay for a thing. Most of it funded by FAA Airport Improvement grants.

The first thing people flying into Savannah see, after the view from the air, is the airport. A simple shattered skylight glass in the terminal could make a bad impression, says Savannah Mayor Edna Jackson. She's all for expanding and improving the airport.

"I am happy they are expanding because we are having more and more people come into our community," she said.

After the terminals, travelers make their way down the escalator to the lobby for car rentals, the parking lot, baggage claim and the visitor information center. $31,000 will be used to renovate both the baggage claim and the visitor center, including new interior design and new carpeting, painting and lighting.

Mayor Jackson tells WTOC, with an increase in international travel and dealings with other countries, the airport looking good is more important than ever.

"When they come in, first impressions are lasting impressions. If they can see the beauty of the airport, can you imagine what they expect to see when they come into the city? We also have to realize we are becoming more international," Mayor Jackson said.

Savannah is expanding their appeal globally, and the airport is expanding now too. The taxiway expansion alone costs more than $8 million of the $10 million in projects. By the end of the year, many of these improvements will be very noticeable.

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