HONOLULU — A multimillion-dollar project by a local airline, which aims to make it easier and faster for its passengers to clear security, debuted at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.
Hawaiian Airlines spent $14 million to construct a four-lane Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint at the makai end of Terminal 1. The new facility, which will later feature new bathrooms nearby, adds approximately 1,000 square feet for passenger queuing and 3,000 square feet of screening area.
“This expanded screening capacity will alleviate congestion and make check-in easier for our guests, whether they are taking a short trip to another island or boarding a transpacific flight,” said Hawaiian Airlines President and CEO Peter Ingram during a blessing ceremony for the new facility on Friday, Feb. 17.
“We appreciate the support of our partners, including the state of Hawai‘i Department of Transportation and the TSA to help us create a better travel experience for our guests,” he said.”
The addition of the facility means Hawaiian Airlines passengers can utilize TSA checkpoint 1A in lobby 2 that exits at the Mauka Concourse, where the airline boards most of its transpacific flights, or the new checkpoint 1B in lobby 3 that leads to gates used mainly for interisland departures.
“This is about safety and taking care of the people of the state of Hawai‘i. Additional TSA lines at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport add another layer to the busiest airport in the state,” said Gov. Josh Green in a statement.
“I congratulate TSA and Hawaiian Airlines on this new checkpoint, which also means more convenience for the traveling public, which is good, with air travel nearing pre-pandemic levels.”
The addition debuted about 18 months after the opening of the $270 million Mauka Concourse, which expanded Terminal 1 by some 230,000 square feet.
“I am thrilled with the completion of this beautiful new security checkpoint. The completion of this project highlights how much can be accomplished when we work together for the benefit of the traveling public,” said TSA Federal Security Director of Hawai‘i Nanea Vasta in a statement.
“The security checkpoint will provide an enhanced passenger screening experience for the traveling public to enjoy, an improved work environment for TSA security screening officers, while also supporting TSA’s mission of providing greater security effectiveness and efficiency in our screening operations,” she said.
An average of about 22,000 people pass through TSA checkpoints each day at the airport. The new facility will bring the total number of checkpoints to six.
“This will make Terminal 1 much easier to navigate as you try and get to your flight. This will especially benefit our residents, who often travel back and forth to O‘ahu from the neighbor islands for important things like medical appointments,” said Hawai‘i Department of Transportation Director (HDOT) Ed Sniffen in a statement.
“HDOT is thankful for the partnership we have with Hawaiian Airlines and TSA to get something important like this done to benefit the people of Hawai‘i.”
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Wyatt Haupt Jr., editor, can be reached at 808-245-0457 or whaupt@thegardenisland.com.
