Quad Cities International Airport To Get Major $20-Million Overhaul
The Quad Cities International Airport in Moline will be getting a dramatic, $20-million-plus facelift.
A new indoor/outdoor area is part of the big new plans for the Q-C airport.
Several concepts and images were unveiled Tuesday by airport officials that include added amenities for passengers and represent the first major investment in the aging facility since 2001. The landside terminal, which includes ticketing and baggage claim, has not been updated since 1985.
“The travel industry has changed dramatically since 1985 but our airport has had to take a
Ben Leischner is executive director of the Quad Cities International Airport.
patchwork approach to keep up,” QCIA executive director Benjamin Leischner said Tuesday. “With the work being done to make the Quad-Cities a destination for business and leisure, we want to create a future-focused terminal that will make our community proud and provide a world-class experience for travelers.”
Minneapolis-based Alliiance was selected as the airport’s design firm in early 2020. They have worked with airports around the world to create efficient spaces that incorporate beautiful design. Through a proprietary process, Alliance engages with stakeholders to understand
The current main flooring in the terminal by ticketing will be replaced.
the region and bring the spirit of the community into the terminal.
Following is a summary of the future concepts that were unveiled March 30.
- A redesigned curbside features a canopy to protect visitors from the elements. Once inside, the terminal will be flooded with bright, natural light. New flooring and walkways will be widened in the ticketing space and mobile check-in kiosks will be added. Baggage screening equipment will be moved out of sight with a conveyor belt running behind the ticket counters to speed up the check-in process.
- The atrium concept features comfortable lounge seating and a redesigned retail, food and beverage space. The restrooms will be renovated, with the addition of a family restroom and a nursing suite. The TSA checkpoint will be widened so passengers going through the checkpoint as well as those arriving and going to baggage claim have plenty of space.
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Plans for the new canopy outside at the renovated airport entrances.
A new indoor/outdoor space near baggage claim will have a garden area, including a water feature to evoke the pride Quad Citizens have for the Mississippi River. There will be seating and an outdoor space – something that’s becoming more commonplace for airports as the industry looks toward a post-Covid world. Many Quad Citizens will remember a time when they could come to the airport and watch the planes take off and land. This space will restore a viewing area for all to enjoy.
- The airside of the terminal will see some improvements to connect it to the landside concepts. A nursing suite will be added to the airside of the airport alongside restroom renovations with the addition of another family restroom. Comfortable lounge seating and power sources will be added throughout the concourses.
A rendering of the renovated airport ticketing area.
The renovations will be funded through a mix of federal grants, cash-on-hand and debt service, if needed. Whenever possible, airport leaders have committed to using local contractors to complete the work.
In addition to the terminal redesign concepts, the airport also unveiled a new name and logo, changing from “Quad City” to “Quad Cities.” This subtle yet important change is more inclusive to the region the airport serves and shows solidarity with the naming conventions of other organizations in the area.
The airport website has also been refreshed to be more user friendly, optimized for mobile use and ADA compliant. In mid-2020, the airport partnered with MindFire Communications in LeClaire to support its branding and marketing efforts.
The airport Facebook page (updated with the new logo) posted earlier today (March 30): “The future is bright for the QC Airport. We’re renovating the airport to create a modern travel experience – all while delivering comfort and convenience.”
A new logo (and plural name) for the Quad Cities International Airport.
“It was time for our brand to modernize as we make plans to modernize our terminal,” said Leischner. “We are proud to be the Quad-Cities’ hometown airport, to provide our neighbors and friends with world-class customer service, and now we feel like our brand truly reflects that.”
Next steps for the terminal plans include developing a plan of finance, prioritizing projects and implementation. Progress can be tracked at qcairport.com/qc-tomorrow.
To commemorate the occasion, and to thank the Q-C community for its support, the airport is launching the “Go For It Giveaway” where one lucky person will have a chance to win a $1,000 voucher, which can be used for any flight from Moline.
Visit Go For It Giveaway to enter and for information on rules and conditions.
Quad Cities International Airport in Moline serves passengers from western Illinois and Eastern Iowa. With 11 nonstop destinations, the airport served over 700,000 passengers in 2019. Four major airlines operate out of the airport, including Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.
Due to Covid, the airport saw a 58-percent drop in total passengers for 2020. The airport served 306,260 total passengers last year, compared to 2019’s 721,999.
There were a total of 23,531 passengers through the Moline airport in January 2021, compared to 54,033 in January 2020. Since the pandemic started, the busiest month for the airport was October, with 26,415 passengers, compared to 65,572 in October 2019.
The airport boasts a 10,000-foot runway that can land any aircraft in any weather conditions, as well as U.S. Customs and Border Protection as an International Port of Entry Airport, making it ideal for commercial flights and general aviation. Charter and fueling services are available. For more information, visit qcairport.com.
