Norfolk opens new passenger terminal
NORFOLK, Va. (USTCNS) --- The image of military air travel as spending hours on a lonely tarmac in the blazing sun or cold wind and rain, only to spend hours shivering in the bowels of a freezing aircraft are coming to an end.
A major leap forward was taken 22 Nov when the Norfolk's new passenger terminal opened for business.
The new passenger terminal, presently billed as LP-210 until it is officially christened, is the benchmark for future military air travel.
It will replace the current Norfolk Air Mobility Command, perhaps better known to locals as the old Norfolk MAC terminal, and boasts numerous improvements over the former facility that was originally built over 50 years ago.
Navy Cmdr. Paul VanHoosen, port commander of the Norfolk Air Terminal which transports over 110,000 passengers annually, spoke of the vast improvements and outlined the new construction.
"We have doubled the passenger service area to 36 thousand square feet, which is equal if not better than many commercial airports," said VanHoosen. "We have a food court with a grill, sandwich shop, and Dunkin Donuts. We even have a selection of various health foods."
According to VanHoosen, travelers will experience an atmosphere seldom seen at commercial airport terminals.
"Our patrons won't see airport prices since the most expensive items are less than $5.00," he said. "Our passenger support facilities also include two children's playgrounds, covered outside smoking and rest areas, a dependents lounge with a crib room, and an enhanced USO presence with free internet access."
Other features will greatly easy the discomfort of long-distance travel.
"We have also added showers to restroom facilities, something you won't see in a commercial airport," said VanHoosen. "If a passenger arrives from a Bahrain flight, for instance, they may take advantage of our shower facilities right after clearing customs."
"We will also continue our Enterprise rent-a-car facility that has proven to be very successful - 70 cars in their present fleet," said VanHoosen. "We are improving conditions for our traveling passengers as well as for our personnel stationed here. All these improvements and innovations will allow our terminal staff to provide much better customer care - a terminal that in all ways rises to commercial airport standards."
Automobile parking has been doubled to handle over 400 vehicles in a well-lit lot with plans for an additional 300 parking spaces.
Plans are also being made for a terminal interchange off Interstate 564 making access for our passengers considerably easier and faster.
Passenger entry and security is being streamlined to include a single point of entry for baggage screening and anti-jacking processes.
Immediately after entry, passengers will take advantage of our upgraded check-in capabilities for ticketing and baggage processing. Checking-in, using one of our six ticket counters, is faster and than with commercial facilities.
The jointly funded (Navy- Air Force) terminal facility itself was designed in full accordance with Air Mobility Command force protection criteria, while retaining the open, airy feel of a modern airport.
Passengers wait in comfortable and spacious facilities with closed circuit TV showing news and entertainment programming; last-minute cash withdrawals may be made from our no-fee ATM; and travelers may check their e-mail accounts, using their laptops, on one of our available data terminals.
Once a passenger's flight arrives they will board the aircraft using one of our two passenger loading bridges, thus remaining in a climate-controlled environment until they are actually on-board their flight.
Air Terminal personnel are anxiously awaiting the grand opening of this facility with a ribbon cutting ceremony slated for December of 2000.
"We have been waiting for this facility for over eight years and we're ready for the move," Cindy Greene, passenger services director. "However, we view this transition with mixed emotions, it's difficult to just walk away from a place where we've had the opportunity to serve millions of our traveling military personnel and families."
A major leap forward was taken 22 Nov when the Norfolk's new passenger terminal opened for business.
The new passenger terminal, presently billed as LP-210 until it is officially christened, is the benchmark for future military air travel.
It will replace the current Norfolk Air Mobility Command, perhaps better known to locals as the old Norfolk MAC terminal, and boasts numerous improvements over the former facility that was originally built over 50 years ago.
Navy Cmdr. Paul VanHoosen, port commander of the Norfolk Air Terminal which transports over 110,000 passengers annually, spoke of the vast improvements and outlined the new construction.
"We have doubled the passenger service area to 36 thousand square feet, which is equal if not better than many commercial airports," said VanHoosen. "We have a food court with a grill, sandwich shop, and Dunkin Donuts. We even have a selection of various health foods."
According to VanHoosen, travelers will experience an atmosphere seldom seen at commercial airport terminals.
"Our patrons won't see airport prices since the most expensive items are less than $5.00," he said. "Our passenger support facilities also include two children's playgrounds, covered outside smoking and rest areas, a dependents lounge with a crib room, and an enhanced USO presence with free internet access."
Other features will greatly easy the discomfort of long-distance travel.
"We have also added showers to restroom facilities, something you won't see in a commercial airport," said VanHoosen. "If a passenger arrives from a Bahrain flight, for instance, they may take advantage of our shower facilities right after clearing customs."
"We will also continue our Enterprise rent-a-car facility that has proven to be very successful - 70 cars in their present fleet," said VanHoosen. "We are improving conditions for our traveling passengers as well as for our personnel stationed here. All these improvements and innovations will allow our terminal staff to provide much better customer care - a terminal that in all ways rises to commercial airport standards."
Automobile parking has been doubled to handle over 400 vehicles in a well-lit lot with plans for an additional 300 parking spaces.
Plans are also being made for a terminal interchange off Interstate 564 making access for our passengers considerably easier and faster.
Passenger entry and security is being streamlined to include a single point of entry for baggage screening and anti-jacking processes.
Immediately after entry, passengers will take advantage of our upgraded check-in capabilities for ticketing and baggage processing. Checking-in, using one of our six ticket counters, is faster and than with commercial facilities.
The jointly funded (Navy- Air Force) terminal facility itself was designed in full accordance with Air Mobility Command force protection criteria, while retaining the open, airy feel of a modern airport.
Passengers wait in comfortable and spacious facilities with closed circuit TV showing news and entertainment programming; last-minute cash withdrawals may be made from our no-fee ATM; and travelers may check their e-mail accounts, using their laptops, on one of our available data terminals.
Once a passenger's flight arrives they will board the aircraft using one of our two passenger loading bridges, thus remaining in a climate-controlled environment until they are actually on-board their flight.
Air Terminal personnel are anxiously awaiting the grand opening of this facility with a ribbon cutting ceremony slated for December of 2000.
"We have been waiting for this facility for over eight years and we're ready for the move," Cindy Greene, passenger services director. "However, we view this transition with mixed emotions, it's difficult to just walk away from a place where we've had the opportunity to serve millions of our traveling military personnel and families."
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