After nearly two decades of preparatory projects and two radically different terminal designs, San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) finally cut the ribbon on its new $39.5 million terminal 2 weeks ago.

At 56,000 square feet, the terminal is nearly five times larger than the airport's old facility. It's also more environmentally friendly and includes new operational features such as common-use ticketing stations, inline bag screening, a new single carousel baggage claim, space for four rental car companies, an emergency operations facility, updated TSA screening lanes, and two new "low-rider" boarding bridges. Passenger amenities include the airport's first airside concessions, a larger holdroom, free WiFi throughout the terminal, and 17 self-service check-in kiosks.
"To get to where we are today required undertaking multiple projects over many years," reflects Airport Director Kevin Bumen. "I'm the third airport director involved with this project since the initial master planning process began in 1998."

The new terminal features a central lobby with a 30-foot-high ceiling. Travelers move through the ticketing area and TSA screening, then exit into a post-security open-air courtyard with a protective canopy on one side. Travelers can linger outdoors to enjoy the warm Southern California sunshine or proceed directly into the indoor concessions, holdroom and gate area at the other end of the courtyard.