Attention, snowbirds: starting this week, you can kiss the airline terminal of your youth goodbye at Key West Airport. Citing the tourist traffic and second-home owners in the area, Key West has built a newer, spiffier terminal to replace the 1957 original building, although that too will eventually be remodeled and combined to double the size of the airport.

According to the press release, the 30,000-square-foot new terminal which opened yesterday now features a large restaurant with windows to watch the flights arrive and depart over the water, and all the concessions, baggage and security areas needed to support a healthy flow of passengers through Key West. It is also very possible that this large of an improvement will convince visitors and locals to go through their home airport instead of adding the commute up to Miami International.

Expect the entire fresh terminal (including the renovated 1957 but) to be completed rather soon in June, prime time for early summer vacations but safely shy of the bulk of hurricane season.

Related Stories
· New Terminal Opens at Key West Airport [Palm Beach Post]
· Airport News Coverage [Jaunted]

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On January 16, Key West International Airport will celebrate the anniversary of the first international passenger flight over water, made in 1928. A Pan Am Fokker Trimotor--with eight passengers in wicker seats--made the 90-mile run between Key West and Havana.

While remembering the past, EYW will also be showing off the future, with tours of its new McCoy Terminal Complex. The new facility will take over for the existing one, built in 1957. Back then, about 25,000 passengers a year used the airport; these days more than 500,000 flyers pass through every year. Needless to say, regular commercial service to Cuba doesn't account for the increase.

Related Stories:
· Key West to Honor First Pan Am Flight to Cuba [Sun Sentinel]
· Key West Travel coverage [Jaunted]
· Airports coverage [Jaunted]

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