Exciting Plans for Redesigning St. Louis Lambert International Airport

The St. Louis Lambert International Airport is set to undergo a massive $650 million redesign project that will modernize the airport and improve the travel experience for passengers. With the approval of the use and lease agreement by the St. Louis City Board of Alderman, officials can now move forward with the architectural design phase for the main terminal at Lambert.

The project, which is the biggest in decades for the airport, will include a single consolidated linear terminal with up to 62 gates while retaining the historic domes of the current terminal. Modern amenities such as moving walkways, increased concourse space, and nearly 60% more retail space will be added to the new terminal. Additionally, a larger parking garage with 7,400 spaces will replace the current garage, which has 2,000 spaces.

Funding for the project will primarily come from the airlines that use the terminal. Bond sales, terminal rental rates, retail space revenue, federal grants, and passenger facility charges will contribute to funding without the need for taxpayer dollars.

While environmental approvals are still needed, the project will progress through various stages, including engineering, environmental analysis, and airline negotiations, before construction on the main terminal begins in 2026. The timeline for construction includes starting enabling facilities in the first quarter of 2025.

Terminal 2 at Lambert will be repurposed for non-airline uses, with ideas such as boutique hotels, conference centers, and airport administrative offices being considered. The newly designed terminal is expected to enhance connecting traffic, potentially attracting more flight destinations to St. Louis based on demand.

Public input will continue to be a part of the process, with updates available on the project’s website, flystl.com. The redesign of the St. Louis Lambert International Airport represents a significant step towards modernizing the airport and improving the overall travel experience for passengers in the region.