Boise, Idaho, September 4, 2025
News Summary
Boise Airport has tapped Hensel Phelps as construction manager to lead a multi-year BOI Upgrade responding to sharp passenger growth, with traffic now nearing 5 million. The capital program targets major improvements including a new baggage handling system, a central utility plant, a west-side Concourse A adding up to 10 gates in phased openings, terminal flow upgrades and expanded concessions and parking. The airport approved a framework allowing contracts up to $700 million that will be paid from airport revenue, passenger charges and bonds. Work is being phased so the airport remains open during construction.
Boise Airport selects Hensel Phelps to lead multi-year BOI Upgrade as passenger traffic nears 5 million
The Boise Airport has named Colorado-based construction manager Hensel Phelps to oversee a multi-year expansion known as the BOI Upgrade, a sweeping program of terminal, baggage, concourse, parking and concessions improvements timed to handle rapidly rising passenger demand. The airport handled 4,990,885 passengers in 2024, an 81% increase since 2014 and a new record that pushed planners to accelerate capital work without using local tax dollars.
Top priorities, funding and schedule
The City approved a contract framework that allows up to $700 million through 2029 related to the airport expansion, with work funded entirely through airport revenue sources including passenger and customer facility charges and bonds. Under the chosen framework, no money from the city general fund or property tax will be used for construction and the airport can commission projects as funding becomes available. A draft timeline shows major projects — a new baggage handling system, a central utility plant, a new Concourse A and terminal updates — moving into construction in 2027, with some work wrapping in 2028 and the concourse and final pieces completing in 2029.
Why baggage and utilities come first
Planners shifted the order of work after determining that replacing the nearly 25-year-old baggage system and building a new central utility plant must be complete and operating before Concourse A opens. The new baggage handling area will be moved to the other side of the terminal rotunda so the current baggage zone can become the location for the central utility plant that will support heating, cooling and electrical needs. Because parts for the current baggage system are scarce and the system is difficult to maintain, officials may approach the replacement in phases, allowing an initial set of gates to open sooner while the remainder follows.
Concourse A and gate capacity
The plan calls for a west-side Concourse A adjacent to existing Concourse B and could ultimately add up to 10 new gates. A phased approach under consideration would open an initial group of seven gates on the south side of the concourse, with the remaining five gates added in a later phase. Existing gates are nearly fully utilized during peak periods — early mornings and late nights — and the airport serves many origin-and-destination travelers, making additional gate capacity essential.
Parking, rental cars and ground-side changes
Recent and ongoing work already includes a new visitor parking garage with more than 1,000 spaces, an employee garage, a new parking exit plaza, an expanded security checkpoint and relocation of the cell phone lot. Construction of the consolidated rent-a-car facility (CONRAC) is underway and expected to open in 2026; that project is also an enabling piece for Concourse A because the current rental car area is slated to become aircraft parking apron space. The Concourse A apron has completed a concrete paving phase to allow additional overnight aircraft parking as part of preparing for the new concourse.
Concessions revamp and traveler experience
Concessions are moving forward as part of the BOI Upgrade with a two-phase rollout. Phase 1 opened 13 new dining and retail options that emphasize local brands alongside national names chosen for traveler familiarity. New offerings include local-themed concepts pre-security and post-security food and drink options, expanded seating and a new retail store by a local landmark. The concessions work is being managed by contracted specialists and will continue through a Phase 2 refresh that replaces several legacy fast-food and café names with new operators. The airport added a 24-hour self-serve vending booth stocked with local products and a new family restroom area including private bathrooms and the facility’s first adult changing table.
Operational impacts and capacity
Passenger traffic has climbed sharply over the past decade, increasing by roughly 2 million travelers since 2014. Busy days can push about 9,500 passengers through TSA, straining existing lanes and gate availability. Officials plan to sequence work to keep the airport operating: significant upgrades to Concourse B will wait until Concourse A is built because taking B gates offline now would create serious operational problems.
What to expect next
- 2026: CONRAC expected to open, enabling apron reconfiguration.
- 2027: Design and construction start on baggage system, central utility plant and Concourse A.
- 2028–2029: Staged completions with some projects finishing by 2028 and the concourse and remaining upgrades finishing by 2029.
The BOI Upgrade is intended to improve passenger flow, add capacity, and provide an airport experience that reflects the local region’s identity while keeping operations flexible to adapt to demand and funding availability. The program combines immediate traveler-facing improvements, such as concessions and expanded parking, with heavy infrastructure work that must be completed before the new concourse can open.
FAQ
Q: Who is the construction manager for the BOI Upgrade?
A: The airport selected Hensel Phelps as construction manager and general contractor to lead the multi-year upgrade program.
Q: How is the work funded?
A: The expansion is funded through airport revenue, including passenger and customer facility charges and bonds. No general fund or property tax dollars will be used for construction.
Q: What are the top-priority projects?
A: Replacing the aging baggage handling system and building a central utility plant are top priorities because they must be operational before Concourse A opens. Other priorities include Concourse A construction, terminal upgrades, parking garages and the CONRAC rental car center.
Q: When will Concourse A be built and how many gates will it add?
A: Construction on Concourse A is expected to begin in 2027. The new concourse is planned to add up to 10 gates, with a likely phased opening that could start with seven gates and add the remainder later.
Q: What passenger growth is driving these changes?
A: Passenger traffic grew 81% from 2014 to 2024, with nearly 5 million passengers recorded in 2024, pushing the airport to expand capacity and improve facilities.
Q: What is the timeline for CONRAC and concessions?
A: The consolidated rent-a-car center is under construction and expected to open in 2026. Concession improvements are being rolled out in two phases, with Phase 1 open and Phase 2 underway and scheduled to finish later in the rollout period.
Key features at a glance
| Feature | What it does | Target timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hensel Phelps contract | Construction management and general contracting for BOI Upgrade | Approval requested next council meeting; work under framework through 2029 | Selected |
| Baggage system replacement | Modernize baggage handling; relocate to new area to make room for utility plant | Start 2027; phased delivery possible | In final planning |
| Central utility plant | New heating, cooling and electrical support for expanded terminal | Start 2027 | Planned |
| Concourse A | Add up to 10 gates; relieve peak congestion | Construction begins 2027; completion by 2029 | Design phase; sequencing depends on baggage/CUP |
| CONRAC (rental car center) | Consolidated rental car operations with no shuttle required | Expected open 2026 | Under construction |
| Concessions revamp | New local and national dining and retail options in two phases | Phase 1 open; Phase 2 underway | Phase 1 operating |
| Parking and security | New visitor garage (+1,000 spaces), employee garage, expanded TSA lanes, parking exit plaza | Most elements completed recently | Completed/operational |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- KTVB: Boise Airport opens new retail & dining options
- Wikipedia: Boise Airport
- BoiseDev: Boise Airport Concourse/Terminal update (Aug 13, 2025)
- Google Search: Boise Airport concourse terminal
- Jacobs: Jacobs selected to support Idaho airport expansion
- Google Scholar: Boise Airport expansion
- Idaho Press / Boise Weekly: Boise Airport expansion continues with first wave of new concessions
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Boise Airport
- Idaho News: Boise Airport hits record passenger numbers; plans major expansions
- Google News: Boise Airport expansion
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