Springfield airport sets terminal opening date

Springfield-Branson National Airport has set a date for the opening of its new midfield passenger terminal.

The $119 million terminal is scheduled to open May 6, airport officials said today, culminating three years of construction. The new terminal will have more room for overnight jetliner parking, increased passenger capacity and space to accommodate post-9/11 security requirements.

This will be the third terminal in the airport's history. The first served for 19 years, and the second will have served 44 years when it closes this spring.

To access the new terminal, airport visitors will need to drive west on Chestnut Expressway to a new road called Airport Boulevard.