Northwest, Wayne County Announce $1.6-Billion Detroit Airport Expansion

Detroit is the next airport to announce an expansion as continuing domestic growth in airline travel begins to push limits of the nation’s infrastructure.

Northwest Airlines Corp. and Wayne County said there will be $1.6 billion in upgrades to Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

The expansion will include an $800-million passenger terminal, a 10,000-foot runway, and additional aircraft parking and maintenance facilities.

The airport, located in suburban Romulus, is Northwest’s largest regional hub.

Northwest will operate from the new 74-gate terminal. Ten of the gates will be used for international flights.

Meanwhile, Continental Airlines said it will spend about $23 million to replace or upgrade baggage systems at its Houston, Cleveland and Newark, N.J., hubs.

Continental will spend $15 million at Houston Intercontinental Airport to build a baggage system as part of a new parking garage, Oates said.

The carrier will spend $8 million at Newark to improve its existing baggage system.