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$6.8M airport upgrade underway
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Posted on Aug 16 2004
A $6.8-million security improvement project that intends to provide travelers a more comfortable baggage inspection and check-in processing at the Saipan International Airport is now underway.
The project will convert the existing departure area into an enclosed, air-conditioned, and secure facility.
Commonwealth Ports Authority executive director Carlos Salas said yesterday that the architectural design for the project is now 30 percent complete.
“We’re hoping that it will be completed by end of the year. Construction will begin immediately after that,” said Salas.
The project, funded by the Federal Aviation Administration, has been awarded to the Boeing Company.
Part of the project is the installation of three CTX scanning machines that can handle 500 pieces of luggage per hour.
“It’s an explosive detection system so it can detect what’s inside of the luggage without you opening it. It would be more comfortable since passengers would no longer open everything unless security personnel see something unusual through the machines,” said Salas.
He said the project would expand the existing departure area.
“Some expansion would be made either at the back area or the front,” said Salas.
Earlier, authorities had also enclosed the airport’s check-in area to ensure enhanced security in screening departing passengers.
