WINDSOR LOCKS — The Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA) announced that Bradley International Airport (BDL) has reached a major milestone as part of the ongoing terminal expansion that has been underway since March 2023. The final element of construction, a new concourse, is now complete, with passengers slated to begin using it in the coming weeks.

The soon-to-be-unveiled concourse is an extension of the existing terminal (Terminal A) and part of an 80,000-square-foot facility directly behind the Sheraton Hotel. The new concourse includes: Three additional airline gates for passengers; comfortable and varied seating options with ample access to integrated power; new dining and retail options; new modern restroom facilities with privacy stalls, occupancy sensors, luggage storage, and contemporary vanities; an additional family restroom; self-sanitizing diaper changing stations; and BDL’s second nursing room for mothers.

Just below the new concourse, and also part of the new 80,000-square-foot facility, is BDL’s new inline baggage screening system, which opened in fall 2025 and houses the airport’s explosive detection machines. A mile-long conveyor belt carries the estimated 2 million checked bags the airport screens annually from the airline ticket counters directly to the new screening facility. The explosive detection machines, once located in the airport lobby, have since been removed – freeing up ticket counter space for existing and potential new airlines.

“The opening of Bradley International Airport’s inline baggage screening facility, and now the new concourse space serves as a capstone for the recent customer service enhancements we have unveiled since last summer,” said CAA Executive Director and CEO Michael W. Shea.  “All of these projects position Bradley for future growth and will better serve our growing passenger base. We are extremely proud to showcase them to our passengers, local community, and Connecticut visitors.”

In addition to the inline baggage screening facility, two new exit corridors were added to the east and west sides of the main terminal, adjacent to each of the two concourses, which opened in 2025. The new exit corridors provide faster and more direct access to airline baggage claims, car rentals, ground transportation, and shuttles in BDL’s arrivals level. They also include two new meet-and-greet areas, complete with seating and access to arrival monitors.

The center exit lane that passengers have been using for years near the main TSA security checkpoint is now permanently closed and was reconfigured to expand the security checkpoint by allowing for additional screening lanes and queuing space for passengers waiting to be screened.

The total cost for both construction projects is approximately $250 million. The CAA secured approximately $120 million in funding for these projects with the help of Connecticut’s congressional delegation from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Improvement Program, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The additional funding for the construction comes from passenger facility charges and the CAA’s airport revenue. No state taxpayer funds are being used to pay for these projects.

Ahead of the concourse’s official opening, a ceremonial ribbon-cutting was staged Friday to celebrate the milestone and the impending unveiling to Bradley International Airport passengers and the community.