Monroe airport’s new terminal opens today

Opening ceremonies are scheduled this afternoon for the new $35 million terminal at Monroe Regional Airport, with the first flight there scheduled to arrive Tuesday evening and the first flight out on Wednesday morning. Once operations have been moved to the new terminal, work will begin to replace the old terminal with a new one-story building for baggage claims and car rental agencies. That building, which also will include space for the Monroe-West Monroe Convention and Visitors Bureau to greet guests, should be completed by late summer 2012. As airport Director Cleve Norell watched the finishing touches made on the 58,000-square-foot terminal, he told The News-Star that he was more nervous than excited about today’s grand opening. “But it’s a dream come true. It’s just wonderful,” he says. “Everything here is new, modern and ready to go.” Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo says, “Without question, it has been the No. 1 project during my administration.” Read more about the new terminal here.