Salt Lake City airport to mark completion of The New SLC redevelopment

Salt Lake City International Airport will celebrate the completion of its New SLC redevelopment program on Oct. 24, with the final phase opening to the public three days later. The project ends a multiyear rebuild that added new gates, concessions and future expansion space to the first new hub airport built in the U.S. in the 21st century.

Why it matters: - The final phase closes out a $5.1 billion airport rebuild that reshaped Salt Lake City International Airport for current and future growth. - The new gates and concessions expand capacity for United Airlines and other carriers serving SLC. - The project makes The New SLC the first new hub airport built in the U.S. in the 21st century.

What happened: - The Salt Lake City Department of Airports is planning a final celebration on Saturday, Oct. 24, to mark completion of The New SLC Redevelopment Program. - Phase 4, the last construction phase, will open to the public on Oct. 27. - The final phase adds seven gates and six concessions. - The new gates will serve arrivals and departures for United Airlines, plus two common-use gates for other airlines as needed.

The details: - The six concessions opening Oct. 27 are Einstein Bros. Bagels, Moochie’s Cheesesteaks, Monarca, Mr. Charlie’s Chicken Fingers, Swig and &Go SLC. - &Go SLC is a news and convenience retail store. - New art is planned for Concourse B-east. - Artist Gordon Huether’s large-scale installation, “Gateway to the World,” will hang from the ceiling. - The piece is a mirror image of “Swallows in Flight” in Concourse B-west. - The new artwork uses colorful dichroic cutouts shaped like airplanes instead of birds. - The first level of Concourse B-east was built to support a future hardstand operation with concessions and gate-hold seating. - The space will not be used initially, but it can be activated as new air service comes online and more gates are needed. - The redevelopment program broke ground in July 2014. - Phase 1 opened in September 2020. - Phase 2 opened in October 2023. - Phase 3 opened in October 2024. - Four gates opened on July 14, 2026. - The final seven gates and six concessions will open on Oct. 27, 2026. - The completed airport will total 101 concessions, 94 aircraft gates and four hardstand positions.

Between the lines: - Airport leaders are using the final celebration to frame the rebuild as a long-term civic milestone, not just a construction finish. - The built-out but unused space in Concourse B-east signals planning for traffic growth beyond the current opening. - Bill Wyatt, executive director of the Salt Lake City Department of Airports, said the airport is on its “final approach” after six years since opening The New SLC and 12 years since breaking ground. - Wyatt also said planning for the new airport took decades.

What's next: - The airport will open the final phase to passengers on Oct. 27. - The Concourse B-east hardstand space will be activated later if additional air service and gate demand require it. - The celebration on Oct. 24 will serve as the public milestone for the redevelopment program’s completion. - More information is available at The New SLC.