Rochester International Airport Celebrates Grand Opening August 22
Extensive remodel features upgraded Terminal, new U.S. Customs facility
ROCHESTER, Minn. (August 2018) – The Rochester International Airport (RST) will host a Grand Opening of its upgraded terminal and new U.S. Customs facilities from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 22, 2018.
Kraus-Anderson, one of the Midwest’s oldest and largest commercial general contractors and construction managers, completed the extensive remodel that began in April 2017. The $12 million infrastructure initiative features new centralized ticketing counters, consolidated baggage claim area and an expanded U.S. Customs area.
Scheduled service from key U.S. markets by Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines connects 290,000 passengers annually from around the world, generating $161 million in annual economic activity, and 2,911 jobs with $73 million dollars in annual payroll. Elite Airways also will begin nonstop service from RST to St. Augustine, Fla. and to Phoenix, Ariz. in October 2018.
Upgrades to the main terminal lobby relocated the ticket counter areas for all airlines to one side of the terminal and the baggage claim for all airlines to the other side. In addition, U.S. Customs, which serves as a Port of Entry and processes international passengers arriving at RST, was expanded to 20,000 square feet, increasing efficiencies and meeting the current safety, security and space requirements.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support of federal, state and local governments to fund this critical project,” said John Reed, executive director of the Rochester International Airport. “We accomplished the necessary upgrades to maintain our U.S. Customs facility and also enhanced the customer experience in the terminal. By doing that we are able to provide an exceptional experience both for our local travelers and for visitors arriving into our community from around the world.”
Funding for the RST upgrades included: $7.3 million from federal funds; $3.8 million from the City of Rochester; and $790,000 from MnDOT Aeronautics.
About Rochester International Airport
Rochester International Airport is owned by the City of Rochester and operated by Rochester Airport Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mayo Clinic. The airport was founded in 1928 by Drs. William and Charles Mayo, and originally owned and operated by the Mayo Foundation. In 1929, the Rochester Airport Company was founded as a subsidiary of the Foundation, which gave the airport to the City of Rochester in 1945. RST is served by Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines, which collectively offer 13 flights each day to Atlanta, Chicago and Minneapolis. Elite Airways serves RST with flights to Phoenix and St. Augustine, FL twice weekly per route. RST accommodates approximately 290,000 passengers annually, providing air service to Southeast Minnesota and border regions of Iowa and Wisconsin. Stay connected to RST at #FlyLocal, FlyRST.com, and on Facebook/RochesterAirport and Twitter @flyrst.
About Kraus-Anderson
Established in 1897, Kraus-Anderson® Construction Company (www.krausanderson.com) is one of the nation’s premier commercial general contractors and construction managers. Kraus-Anderson, an Affirmative Action, Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn. and has regional offices in Madison, Wis., Bismarck, N.D., and Duluth, Bemidji and Rochester Minn.