When it comes to tourism, Key West is no slouch. Between plane, cruise ships, ferries and cars, it averages between 4 and 5 million visitors per year, which is pretty substantial when you realize that the island only has a population of about 26,000.
A Much-Needed Expansion
So yeah…Key West is bursting at the seams. Visitors arriving by plane have doubled in the past decade or so (1.45 million in 2024 alone), and EYW’s airport terminal was way too small for the influx. While the terminal for ticketing, check-in, and security was built in 2009, arrivals were still processed through a separate building from 1957, and it was simply too small to get the job done. So in late 2022, they began construction on EYW’s new Concourse A.
A First for Key West: Jet Bridges
Once construction was finished, having a new, 50,000sf concourse was just one of the modern-day conveniences that visitors would enjoy. Part of the $100M in improvements was the installation of 8 all-glass jet bridges. Save for smaller airlines, EYW’s passengers would no longer have to walk across the tarmac in the broiling Florida sun or daily summer monsoons.
In classic construction project fashion, it wrapped up “almost on time”… which, of course, means six months late.), and the new terminal soft opened last week. It looks beautiful. Here are some photos from EYW’s Facebook page:
“We are celebrating not just the first flight, but the ongoing success of the overall program,” said Richard Strickland, Executive Director of Airports for Monroe County. “We look forward to the future and welcome passengers to our elevated facility.”
The new space is much more open than the old terminal, with high ceilings, natural light, modern restrooms, seats with built-in USB charging ports. Not surprisingly, the new terminal is also specifically made to withstand hurricane-force winds of up to 200mph.
What’s Coming in Phase 2
This is just the first part of the “reimagining” of EYW. After its official grand opening on May 21st, more additions and improvements will continue in Phase 2:
- A full-service Chili’s restaurant
- A fully revamped Conch Flyer restaurant
- 2 new bars
- A new pedestrian bridge
- more modern baggage claim area
- improved rental car counters
- Expanded TSA security checkpoint
And don’t worry, the “New Friends” sculpture, made by Seward Johnson and gifted to the airport 17 years ago, will return to the airport during Phase 2.
All photos: Key West Int’l Airport Facebook
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