News>Aviano Airmen open doors to new NATO terminal
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Military servicemembers returning from deployment disembark a government chartered aircraft arriving from an air base in Southwest Asia Sept. 11, 2009, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The servicemembers were amongst the first to use the new passenger and air freight terminal at Aviano AB since it opened for passenger processing Sept. 10. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ashley Wood)
Airman 1st Class Benito Rodriguez checks-in Senior Airman David Anthony for his flight back to the U.S. at the new passenger and air freight terminal Sept. 11, 2009, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Airman Rodriguez is a 724th Air Mobility Squadron passenger service agent. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ashley Wood)
Airman 1st Class Travis Danahy (far right) hands out reboarding tickets to military servicemembers returning from deployment outside the new passenger and air freight terminal Sept. 11, 2009, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The new facility has seating for 325 passengers. Airman Danahy is a 724th Air Mobility Squadron passenger service agent. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ashley Wood)
Military servicemembers returning from deployment sit inside the gate area of the 724th Air Mobility Squadron's new passenger and air freight terminal while the military chartered aircraft carrying them home is serviced Sept. 11, 2009, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Passenger service agents from the 724th AMS began processing passengers through the new facility Sept. 10. Volunteers supporting Operation Yellow Ribbon provide snacks and other goodies to servicemembers transiting through the terminal. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ashley Wood)
Military servicemembers returning from deployment catch a breath of fresh air outside the main entrance of the 724th Air Mobility Squadron's new passenger and air freight terminal while the military chartered aircraft carrying them home is serviced Sept. 11, 2009, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Passenger service agents from the 724th AMS began processing passengers through the new facility Sept. 10. Volunteers supporting Operation Yellow Ribbon provide snacks and other goodies to servicemembers transiting through the terminal. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ashley Wood)
by Tech. Sgt. Michael O'Connor
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
9/23/2009 - AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy (AFNS) -- Airmen of the 724th Air Mobility Squadron here processed their first passengers following the opening of the new passenger and air freight terminal Sept. 10 at Aviano Air Base.
The new predominantly NATO-funded terminal cost more than $10 million and is a 34,000-plus square-foot facility that replaces the previous 54-year-old facility.
"The new terminal down here really adds a new dimension and is essentially twice the floor space than they had before," said Gen. Arthur J. Lichte, the commander of Air Mobility Command, during a visit here May 18 and 19. "They can take and process folks quicker ... handle more cargo ... and when you start to think about what happens in the future (with supporting U.S. Africa Command) ... it's very important and gives us many more options."
By having the air mobility en route structure at Aviano AB and the new NATO terminal helps everyone -- it helps the Air Force and it helps NATO, the general said.
Some additional creature comforts for passengers transiting through the terminal are a one-stop shopping concept for space-available travel and information, a larger family lounge with child-friendly amenities, twice as many bathrooms, credit/debit card readers for check-in and adapters for electronics, said Maj. Shon Webb, the 724th AMS director of operations.
With more than 18,000 additional square feet, the new terminal now has a capacity to hold 325 passengers, 120 463L cargo pallets, and support a six truck loading/unloading operation.
Major Webb said the location and size of the new facility allows them to park and handle large aircraft close to their facility which reduces transportation time of cargo and passengers to and from the aircraft and the terminal building.
