Ruth Haines
The Salt Lake City International Airport closed temporarily in March 2020 due to a 5.7 magnitude earthquake that struck west of the city. The earthquake caused damage to the airport and nearby buildings. While commercial passenger operations were halted, cargo and general aviation flights resumed within a few hours. The airport has since reopened, and a new $3.6 billion airport project is underway, with the first phase opening on September 15, 2020. This new airport will feature improved facilities, additional gates, and a redesigned layout to prevent bottlenecks and allow for easier expansion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Reopening | 15th September 2020 |
| Reason for Closing | 5.7 magnitude earthquake |
| Date of Closing | 24th March 2020 |
| First Phase Cost | $3.6 billion |
| Total Number of Gates | 78 |
| Number of Gates in the First Phase | 25 |
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What You'll Learn
- The first phase of the new Salt Lake City International Airport opened on September 15, 2020
- The airport closed temporarily in March 2020 due to a 5.7 magnitude earthquake
- Delta Air Lines operates a hub in the airport and will have a larger Sky Club
- The airport will have improved security and will use more modern equipment
- The new design will prevent bottlenecks and allow for easier future expansion
The first phase of the new Salt Lake City International Airport opened on September 15, 2020
The first phase included the installation of the first jet bridges, a new 6-mile-long baggage screening and delivery system, and the construction of most of the moving walkways. The new design features parallel concourses instead of a spider-leg configuration, which will prevent bottlenecks and allow for easier future expansion. The airport will also have additional gates for international flights with secure corridors to customs, and the design will enable some to be used for domestic flights when needed.
Delta Air Lines, which operates a hub in Salt Lake City, will be using the first concourse, which will eventually have 47 gates, with 25 available at the first-phase opening. Other airlines will use the second, northern concourse, and Delta will also utilise some gates there. The airport will also have more concessions, with a lineup of retail and food options already announced, and areas for these concessions have been roughed out.
The new airport will improve security and reduce congestion. It will have 16 security lines in the terminal, using modern equipment to speed up the process. Additionally, a separate reception area has been added to reduce congestion from groups welcoming returning passengers.
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The airport closed temporarily in March 2020 due to a 5.7 magnitude earthquake
On March 18, 2020, a 5.7 magnitude earthquake struck Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, leading to the temporary closure of the Salt Lake City International Airport. The earthquake's epicenter was located 6 km (3.7 mi) north-northeast of Magna, Utah, beneath the planned Utah Inland Port site.
The earthquake caused power outages and disruptions near the airport, prompting a ground stop and the evacuation of the control tower. Passengers in the terminals and concourses were moved to buses, and the TRAX light rail system was halted, stranding cars at their nearest stations. The earthquake's impact on the airport's operations underscored the importance of preparedness and resilience in the face of natural disasters.
The 5.7 magnitude earthquake caused widespread impacts across Salt Lake City and the surrounding areas. Approximately 55,000 electricity customers lost power throughout the Salt Lake Valley, and items were shaken off walls and shelves, with bricks dislodged from facades. The historic downtown core of Magna suffered extensive damage, yet city officials remained optimistic that none of the historic structures would require condemnation.
The earthquake also affected schools and businesses. The Granite School District cancelled its events for the day to assess the damage, while the Salt Lake City School District temporarily halted its lunch and device delivery programs. Bricks fell from the facade of Silver Crest Elementary School in Herriman, leading to the closure of all schools in the state. The earthquake disrupted daily life and highlighted the need for robust disaster response plans and infrastructure capable of withstanding such events.
The Salt Lake City International Airport resumed operations after the earthquake, but the exact duration of the closure is unclear. The airport underwent a survey to assess any damage, and the removal of debris from taxiways was necessary before flights could resume. The airport's closure caused travel disruptions and underscored the importance of efficient emergency response and infrastructure resilience in mitigating the impact of natural disasters on transportation hubs.
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Delta Air Lines operates a hub in the airport and will have a larger Sky Club
Salt Lake City International Airport's first phase opened on September 15, 2020. The new airport cost $3.6 billion and features a separate reception area with hundreds of chairs, a fireplace, and a food concession. It also boasts 16 security lines, a new 6-mile-long baggage screening and delivery system, and improved facilities for pets.
Delta Air Lines operates a hub in the airport and has expanded its presence there over the years. In September 2020, the airline launched a 900,000-square-foot Concourse A, and in Summer 2023, it opened nine additional gates. Delta finished the eastern portion of Concourse A in October 2023, adding 22 more gates and bringing its total gate count to 50. The airline has also recently signed a new lease agreement with Salt Lake City, increasing its gate count to 66, with an anticipated completion in 2027.
Delta's Sky Club in Salt Lake City will be nearly three times larger than its previous facility. The Club offers guests views of the Wasatch Range from the Sky Deck and a 360-degree fireplace in the lounge. It provides a relaxing space for guests with complimentary cocktails, fresh and healthy food options, and free high-speed Wi-Fi. Delta Sky Club Membership offers various options, including Individual Membership and Executive Membership, which allows members to bring up to two guests.
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The airport will have improved security and will use more modern equipment
The Salt Lake City International Airport was temporarily closed in March 2020 due to a 5.7 magnitude earthquake that struck west of the city. The earthquake caused damage to the airport and nearby buildings. However, the airport was set to reopen a few hours after the earthquake, with cargo and general aviation flights resuming first, followed by commercial passenger operations.
Now, focusing on the topic at hand:
The new design of the airport also plays a significant role in improving security. The parallel concourse layout, as opposed to the previous spider-leg configuration, prevents bottlenecks that used to occasionally trap planes. This design allows for easier expansion by adding more parallel concourses as needed. Additionally, the airport will have additional gates for international flights with secure corridors to customs, and the flexibility to use some of these gates for domestic flights when required.
Furthermore, the airport has implemented a new 6-mile-long baggage screening and delivery system, ensuring that baggage handling is secure and efficient. The increased number of gates, from 55 with jet bridges in the previous airport to 78 gates with jetways in the new airport, also contributes to improved security and passenger flow.
The improvements in security and the utilization of modern equipment at the Salt Lake City International Airport are part of a significant upgrade, enhancing the overall efficiency, safety, and experience for passengers and staff alike.
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The new design will prevent bottlenecks and allow for easier future expansion
The Salt Lake City International Airport closed temporarily in March 2020 due to a 5.7 magnitude earthquake that struck west of the city. The earthquake caused damage to the airport and buildings in the city's downtown. However, beyond this temporary closure, the airport was also undergoing a major transformation with a $3.6 billion renovation project.
The first phase of the new airport opened on September 15, 2020, with the entire project expected to be completed by 2024. The new design features parallel concourses instead of a spider-leg configuration, which will prevent bottlenecks and allow for easier future expansion.
The old design had 71 gates, only 55 of which had jet bridges, and the rest could not serve larger aircraft. The new design will eventually have 78 gates, all with jetways, allowing it to accommodate more and larger aircraft. This will increase the airport's capacity and efficiency, reducing congestion.
The new design also includes improved security measures, with 16 security lines in the terminal and modern equipment. For instance, four people will be able to load their carry-on items onto the conveyor belt simultaneously, instead of single-file lines, making the process quicker. Additionally, there will be a separate reception area for groups welcoming returning missionaries or others, complete with hundreds of chairs, a fireplace, and a food concession.
The airport will also have more concessions and retail and food options. Delta's Sky Club, for example, will be nearly three times larger than its current facility. The new design's flexibility will allow for easier future expansion, ensuring the airport can adapt to growing demand and evolving needs.
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Frequently asked questions
Salt Lake City Airport closed on March 24, 2020, following a 5.7 magnitude earthquake.
Salt Lake City Airport reopened on the same day, a few hours after the earthquake.
The first phase of the new Salt Lake City Airport opened on September 15, 2020.
The new airport will have improved facilities for pets, a separate reception area for large groups, 16 security lines in the terminal, and a copy of the world map from Terminal 1.
