More flight gates. Expanded spaces for ticketing and baggage claim. An improved security screening area.

Port of Pasco officials have begun envisioning what the future Tri-Cities Airport may look like as the airport continues to see steady passenger growth. Discussions to update the airport’s master plan are expected to continue through the rest of the year before port commissioners consider final concepts in early 2027.

But travelers need not worry about any future plans impacting their travel plans.

“I think there’s ways to do this with minimal or no impact to the traveler, unlike the modernization,” airport director Buck Taft told commissioners at the end of May.

The airport underwent a $42 million overhaul and expansion between 2014-17. Since then, the number of passengers has steadily grown, routes have been added and airlines have brought bigger aircraft into service.

Port and airport officials announced four phases of $139 million in further improvements in early 2024 aimed at allowing the airport to handle increased demand. The first phase included expanding the non-public baggage handling area and adding jet bridges to two gates.

The airport is working with architecture firm Mead & Hunt, which also worked on the latest improvements, to forecast what the airport will need further into the future.

Commissioners shared a variety of priorities they want to focus on, such as addressing congestion at ticketing counters and the security checkpoint. Commissioner Vicki Gordon said she’s heard requests for an airport lounge as well as more local gift shops within the terminal.

At the same time, commissioners said they also want to maintain the current traveler experience that makes it possible to go from airport parking to flight gates with relative ease.

“The Tri-Cities has seen the airport go from a small operation to a ‘real’ airport but we want to preserve convenience,” said Commissioner Matt Watkins.

Commissioner Hans Engelke raised broader concerns, such as the location and utility of the airport’s current control tower.

“I have a somewhat hard time of keeping it only to a terminal view,” he said. “For me it will all have to come together.”

Justin Anderson, terminal planning supervisor with Mead & Hunt, said airports comparable to Pasco are handling larger jets and typically have double security lines to ease congestion. The plan is to take the priorities identified by commissioners and consider them alongside the firm’s site analysis of the airport.

“It’s good that you all want to preserve the ease of travel and good passenger experience,” he said.