Aviano Airmen open doors to new NATO terminal

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Michael O'Connor
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
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.