Airport Construction Update
April 16, 2010



Terminal A sidewalk under construction for ten more days
The sidewalk in front of Terminal A between the north and south ticket lobbies is currently closed to pedestrians until Monday, April 26, as we make improvements to the terminal exterior. Just follow the signs in front of and inside Terminal A to get to your airline ticket counter during this construction – and make sure you’re dropped off at the correct ticket lobby for your airline.

During the sidewalk closure, all Airport shuttles are making two stops at the Terminal A departures curb.

Road Work and Lane Shifts near Terminal C
For the next two weeks we’ve narrowed the roadway just past Terminal C to just one lane to allow our crews to continue the work on the new airport roadway loop. There still are three traffic lanes on the east side of the median island at this point (next to the new rental car parking structure), so drivers leaving Terminal A and the Terminal A garage should bear left and cross over the bridge to access any of the three exits from the Airport.

We’re almost done with the airport roadwork – our schedules now call for this stage of construction to be completed before mid-June, well before we open Terminal B for service on June 30.

New airline for San José
Volaris Airlines will inaugurate direct service between San José and Guadalajara, Mexico, beginning Friday, April 30. This marks the first new airline at Mineta San José International Airport since Hawaiian Airlines launched its Honolulu flight in October 2005. Volaris has scheduled its first daily Guadalajara flight to arrive in San José at 11:25 a.m. and depart at 12:35 p.m., and it will be based at Terminal A.

Volaris is a low-cost carrier based in Mexico with 39 routes connecting 25 cities in Mexico, in addition to service to Los Angeles, Oakland, and now San José. The airline started operations in March 2006 and now has over 1,500 employees and a fleet of Airbus 320s that average three years old. For more information about the airline and booking flights, go to Volaris.

TSA to install full-body scanners at SJC in June
SJC expects to receive eight “advanced imaging technology” units (full-body scanners) from TSA in June for installation at the security checkpoints in Terminal A and Terminal B. San José is among the first eleven airports to get the new equipment this year that was purchased under the federal economic stimulus program in order to strengthen security at airports throughout the country.

Advanced imaging technology is designed to bolster security by safely screening passengers for metallic and non-metallic threats, including weapons, explosives and other objects concealed under layers of clothing. TSA will ensure passenger privacy through the anonymity of AIT images. A privacy filter is applied to blur all images; images are permanently deleted immediately once viewed and are never stored, transmitted or printed; and the TSA officer viewing the image is stationed in a remote location and does not come into contact with passengers being screened. Go to advanced imaging technology at TSA for more information.


The Airport's $1.3 billion terminal modernization nearing completion
SJC’s new Terminal B will open for service on Wednesday, June 30, and over the next three months there will be a number of changes to ensure a smooth transition as we move carriers out of Terminal C into Terminal A and B, open up the new rental car center in early June, and complete our roadway construction.

On June 30, Southwest, Alaska, and Delta Airlines will begin full operations in Terminal B. All other carriers will be in Terminal A.

If you haven’t flown from San José in the past year, or even in the last few months, the airport has changed dramatically to make the experience far more comfortable and convenient for you. Old landmarks have been replaced by new buildings and roadways, so please allow a little time so you can get your bearings and explore the new terminal features. For more information on Airport changes, maps, and services, go to www.flysanjose.com.

Although all our major new terminal improvements will be in service by the end of June, the overall modernization program will continue with the demolition of Terminal C this summer and the construction of new surface parking lots near Terminal B over the coming year. The entire modernization program is scheduled for completion by next spring 2011.


Reminder for Southwest Airlines passengers
Because of temporary construction phasing, Southwest Airlines passengers still have long walk between Gate 22, the furthest open gate in our new Terminal B Concourse, and the Terminal A checkpoint and baggage claim area.

This interim configuration of Terminal A and Terminal B Concourse will go away in June when we open the Terminal B passenger check-in counters and security checkpoint. Southwest passengers will then check in at Terminal B, and the walk to the Southwest gates will be much shorter. Any passenger who might need assistance for this long walk should ask a Southwest Airlines ticket agent or gate agent, or call Southwest from an airport white courtesy telephone to arrange for help or for a wheelchair.


Safety Reminder
Heavy construction equipment continues to use airport roads. As always, please watch out for other drivers, pedestrians, and construction workers. Airport parking control and traffic officers are there to help keep traffic flowing safely, so please pay attention to them, too, especially during peak times. And please, pedestrians should never walk through construction zones – follow the designated walkways.


Airport Construction "Hot Line" at (408) 501-0630
For current information about construction impacts to the airport, call (408) 501-0630. We regularly update the recorded message to help our passengers as we make changes affecting roads, terminals, and parking at SJC.
  
  
Construction Schedules Are Subject To Change
We will keep updating the public and our customers about the project details as they occur, but please bear with us as we adjust schedules for the project.  We appreciate your patience, and thank you for flying San José while we build The New Airport for you.