San José City approves interim gates facility for booming Silicon Valley travel

SILICON VALLEY: San José, California

With a focus on current and future record passenger growth and continuing to offer a world-class travel experience at Mineta San José International Airport (SJC), the San José City Council on Tuesday approved airport staff’s plan to build an interim facility with four additional boarding gates to be opened in summer 2019.

In the first quarter 2018, SJC’s passenger traffic grew 18.5 per cent compared to the same three-month period last year.

Based upon SJC airlines’ recent launches and announced plans for additional nonstop routes, the airport is expected to serve 14.2 million passengers in 2018, equalling peak passenger levels in 2001.

“I appreciate the support of Mayor Liccardo and our council members for giving airport staff the green light to continue to focus on transforming how Silicon Valley travels,” said Director of Aviation John Aitken. “With four more gates, our passengers will continue to enjoy the enhanced customer service levels they have come to expect from our facilities and operation.

“As we begin building for the future again, the Airport team is well-served by the City’s Public Works leadership and staff who will continue to partner with us on this important project.”

Interim gates 31-34 will be constructed and connected to Terminal B on the south end.

The interim facility will offer:

• Four gates with passenger boarding bridges
• A holdroom with seating for 400 travellers
• Concession space and restrooms

The project cost is estimated at $50 million and will be funded with commercial paper. The facility is expected to be used for up to seven years while concurrent planning and construction is underway for permanent gates and support facilities.

SJC has experienced steady passenger growth over the past 63 consecutive months with a rolling 12-month total of 12,957,296 passengers served through March. The Airport expects to surpass 14 million passengers in 2018 with new routes announced through fall. SJC reached a peak passenger level of 14.2 million for the rolling 12-month period ending August 2001.