New PDX main terminal opens, ‘greets visitors the Oregon way’
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – It’s official: A new main terminal has finally touched down at Portland International Airport.
The terminal’s debut on Wednesday marks the end of Construction Phase One, which began in Spring 2021. Its grand opening celebration, which included Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and local Tribal leaders, took place on Tuesday.
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“This beautiful space greets visitors the Oregon way, with sustainable materials, energy efficiency, and resilient design. I am confident it will meet the needs of our growing region,” Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said during the celebration.
The new main terminal at PDX is officially open (KOIN) The new main terminal at PDX is officially open (KOIN) Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek attended the main terminal’s grand opening celebration one day before it opened to the public. Aug. 13, 2024. (Office of Tina Kotek) Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek attended the main terminal’s grand opening celebration one day before it opened to the public. Aug. 13, 2024. (Office of Tina Kotek)
According to Kotek’s office, the project expanded the main terminal to 1,000,000 square feet of space — nearly doubling the terminal’s capacity. The design included a slatted wood ceiling completely sourced within 300 miles of PDX from Oregon land.
The renovated terminal also features 72 live trees to immerse travelers in the Pacific Northwest landscape. J.P. Paull of PLACE, one of the local landscape architects on the airport’s design team, said the choice was made “so it felt like you arrived before you left the airport.”
“The passenger-friendly, speedier screening at Portland Airport is the future of air travel. Because so many Washingtonians go through PDX every year, these improvements will save the people of our state thousands of hours every year,” Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell said.
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The new terminal also brings back pre-security shopping and dining, making it possible for visitors to check it out without buying a plane ticket.
Although the opening marks the end of the airport’s Phase One of construction, more renovations are expected with Phase Two set to begin Thursday, Aug. 15. Officials expect this phase to wrap up Winter 2025/26.
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