FeedsNew North Terminal set to open
With the imminent opening of the North Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, the authority that operates the facility has scheduled a number of community events.
The events will precede the terminal grand opening, which will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 17.
“Detroit Metro Airport is one of Southeast Michigan’s greatest assets, and the Airport Authority is eager to share this new addition to our award-winning facilities with the community we serve,” said Lester Robinson, the CEO of the Wayne County Airport Authority.
The event will begin with a charity preview on Friday, Sept. 5. The preview will run from 7-11 p.m., and will be the first chance to glimpse the 26-gate terminal.
Guests will enjoy music from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Quartet, a strolling dinner provided by caterer Forte Bellanger, and music from “Alizma,” a musical that is currently showing in Las Vegas.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History in Detroit; First Step, a domestic violence prevention group that offers assistance to abused women and children, the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, and the Traveler’s Aid Society of Metropolitan Detroit.
The following evening, a community open house will welcome all members of the public to experience the new terminal, free of charge, from 1 to 5 p.m.
Attendees will be able to take part in many activities, including music, dance, games, a scavenger hunt and prizes provided by Radio Disney. The family-centered event will feature various hi-tech interactive displays including flight simulators, Rock Band, Dance Revolution, Dancing Heads and much more. Prizes including a planeload of gas in gas cards, a trip to Disney World, several round trip airline tickets and various other giveaways.
Prior to the public open house, a private event for the friends and family of all of airport employees and those of the contractors and vendors who designed, built or otherwise contributed to the planning, design and construction of the new facility will take place.
Robinson said the men and women who worked to make the new terminal a reality should be the first to see it.
“Everyone in Metro Detroit will be proud of the new North Terminal, but the thousands of men and women who planned, designed and built this beautiful new facility will have this special opportunity to show-off their hard work to friends and family,” he said.
Under construction for more than a year, the improved North Terminal will house several carriers serving national and international passengers, including Air Canada, American Airlines, AirTran Airways, Frontier Airlines, Lufthansa German Airlines, Royal Jordanian Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways, USA 3000, and charter airlines.
Northwest Airlines, AeroMéxico, Air France, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, will remain in the McNamara Terminal.
The North Terminal redevelopment project has benefited the local economy by creating 3,200 local construction jobs. Upon completion of the new facility, the existing Smith and Berry terminals will be decommissioned.
For tickets and information about the charity preview, visit www.airportpreview.com.
Although the open house event is free, reservations are recommended.
For more information, or to make a reservation, visit www.airportopenhouse.com.
