Monterey Regional Airport Executive Director Christine Morello told the Seaside City Council on Nov. 6 that the airport is in the middle of a multi-year Safety Enhancement program and is building a replacement terminal intended to improve safety, accessibility and passenger circulation.

Morello said the airport — a special district created in 1941 and independent from city or county governments — generates operational revenue from users (landing fees, parking, concessions, hangars) and does not depend on property tax. She described airport roles that include air service, life-flight medical response, firefighting staging and disaster supply delivery.

The airport reported a shift in operations: total aircraft operations have declined from earlier peaks while enplanements have recovered, meaning more passengers on fewer flights. Morello announced that United Airlines will begin once-weekly nonstop service to Chicago on Saturdays with plans to expand frequency as demand grows.

The presentation framed the replacement terminal as part of a roughly $200 million Safety Enhancement program (termed the airport’s “metamorphosis”) designed to move a main taxiway away from the primary runway and reposition core facilities. Morello said roughly $130 million in federal funding has been secured so far, with the remainder to be paid from airport revenues and borrowing (including potential TIFIA loans). The project targets both an Envision Silver rating for civil work and LEED Platinum goals for the terminal.

Construction updates included completion of a new north-side aircraft rescue and firefighting facility (LEED Silver), new hangars, a new commercial ramp and temporary long-term parking. The replacement terminal will have five gates with jet bridges, three curbside lanes for pick-up/drop-off, common-use gate technology and a call-to-gate lobby intended to improve accessibility (no steps between entry and boarding). Morello said the airport’s opening target is the 2027 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.

On sustainability, Morello cited use of on-site concrete batching, rainwater reuse for construction watering, diversion of 12,000 tons of construction waste from landfills, and use of lower-carbon concrete mixes. The airport will also build a roundabout on Garden Road as part of environmental commitments to the city of Monterey.

Council members asked about advertising and civic branding opportunities inside the new terminal, noise concerns and community coordination on events (for example, drone shows). Morello said advertising opportunities will exist in baggage claim and other terminal locations, that aircraft make unavoidable noise and that some operational constraints are governed by the Federal Aviation Administration, and that she would follow up about coordination with events and noise questions.

Ending: Morello said construction is underway and significant pieces are complete; the airport will continue to brief regional partners and local governments as the project proceeds toward the 2027 target.