Salt Lake City airport sets final celebration for New SLC completion

Salt Lake City International Airport will mark the completion of The New SLC Redevelopment Program with a final celebration on Oct. 24, ahead of the last phase opening to the public on Oct. 27. The project finishes a $5.1 billion rebuild that added gates, concessions and future expansion space to one of the country’s newest hub airports.

Why it matters: - The New SLC is the first new hub airport built in the U.S. in the 21st century. - The final phase adds capacity for passengers, airlines and airport revenue. - The completion closes out a $5.1 billion redevelopment program that reshaped Salt Lake City International Airport.

What happened: - The Salt Lake City Department of Airports plans a final celebration on Saturday, Oct. 24, to mark completion of The New SLC Redevelopment Program. - Phase 4, the last construction phase, opens to the public on Oct. 27. - The final phase includes seven additional gates and six new concessions. - The new gates will serve arrivals and departures for United Airlines. - Two of the new gates are “common use” gates for other airlines serving SLC when needed.

The details: - The six concessions opening Oct. 27 are Einstein Bros. Bagels, Moochie’s Cheesesteaks, Monarca, Mr. Charlie’s Chicken Fingers, Swig and &Go SLC. - &Go SLC is a news and convenience retail store. - A large-scale art installation by Gordon Huether, called “Gateway to the World,” will hang from the ceiling in Concourse B-east. - The new work is a mirror image of “Swallows in Flight” on Concourse B-west. - The installation uses colorful dichroic cutouts shaped like airplanes. - The first level of Concourse B-east is built for a future hardstand operation with concessions and gate-hold seating. - That space will not be used at first. - Airport officials plan to activate the area later as new air service comes online and more gates are needed. - The redevelopment program broke ground in July 2014. - Phase 1 opened in September 2020. - Phase 2 opened in October 2023. - Phase 3 opened in October 2024. - Four gates opened on July 14, 2026. - The final seven gates and six concessions will bring the airport to 101 concessions, 94 aircraft gates and four hardstand positions. - The total cost of The New SLC is $5.1 billion. - More information is available at the New SLC project page.

Between the lines: - The phased opening suggests Salt Lake City International Airport is adding capacity in steps while matching construction to airline demand. - The future hardstand space shows the airport is leaving room for additional growth beyond the final opening. - The art and concessions buildout signal an effort to make the terminal feel complete, not just functional.

What's next: - The airport's final celebration is set for Oct. 24. - Phase 4 opens to the public on Oct. 27. - Airport officials expect the Concourse B-east hardstand area to come online later if additional gates are needed.