MUSKEGON COUNTY, Mich. — The so-called "rebirth" of the Muskegon County Airport is well underway thanks to the help of a grant for the airport to renovate its terminal.
The renovation will include replacing the roof, modernizing the building and installing new lighting.
13 ON YOUR SIDE was told the project should be finished sometime in the fall. The renovations will also include the addition of a new restaurant.
The airport said that construction shouldn't have a big impact on those flying in and out of the airport.
"Coming out of COVID regional airports nationwide really struggled and Muskegon's sort of rebirth in the aviation business is happening now in 2024," said Ken Efting, the airport's director. "That is really focused on three things: improving the air service, improving the infrastructure and the big one that everybody wants is to bring back the restaurant and the community engagement events here."
In addition to the renovations, the Muskegon County Board of Commissioners voted in support of Denver Air Connection’s (DAC) proposal to the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) to replace Southern Airways Express as the Essential Air Service provider at the Muskegon County Airport.
The board made the vote on April 2 during a special full board meeting.
DAC works with United, Delta and American Airlines and is a pilot-run airline.
Whether or not the DAC will become Muskegon County's Essential Air Service Provider is up to the USDOT and the decision is expected to be made by mid-May.
Efting said if it's approved, it would mark a "welcomed return of regional jet service to Muskegon."
"This is a major facelift," Efting said. "It's really going to bring the terminal out of the 1990s and into the modern design era. And then other ancillary improvements such as free parking, Denver Air Connection offers free checked bags for passengers leaving from Muskegon, so there's significant rebirth in passenger experience at Muskegon for 2024."
The next community event held at the airport will be a Wings of Mercy fundraiser on June 8.
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