This article is based on an official press release from Messer Construction Co.

The Messer Sundt Joint Venture has officially commenced construction on a massive $900 million consolidated rental car (CONRAC) program at Nashville International Airport (BNA). According to an official press release from Messer Construction Co., the project is a major component of the airport’s broader $3 billion “New Horizon” expansion initiative.

Designed to accommodate the rapidly growing passenger traffic in the Nashville region, the progressive design-build project will deliver a significantly expanded rental car complex, a new parking garage, and critical roadway improvements. The joint venture expects to complete the multi-phased development by 2029.

As one of the fastest-growing airports in the United States, BNA is prioritizing capacity and mobility upgrades. We are seeing major infrastructure investments across the aviation sector, and this $900 million commitment underscores the demand for streamlined traveler experiences.

Project Scope and Infrastructure Upgrades

The comprehensive scope of the CONRAC program involves the construction of a six-level facility tailored to modern airport logistics. Based on the project outline provided by Messer Construction Co., the development includes a new parking garage that will provide 3,000 parking spaces, offering travelers direct and easy access to the terminal.

Adjacent to the parking structure, the joint venture will build a 4,700-vehicle consolidated rental car facility. This will be supported by a dedicated Customer Service Building to streamline rental operations. The facility will also feature quick-turnaround areas equipped with fueling stations and car wash capabilities to maintain rental fleets efficiently.

Roadway and Mobility Enhancements

Beyond the buildings themselves, the $900 million investment will fund significant improvements to the airport’s vehicular flow. The project includes new bridges and roadways that will connect Terminal Drive directly to the new CONRAC facility.

Additionally, the construction teams will expand the Terminal Drive “loop road.” The company noted that this expansion is designed to increase capacity for all roadway traffic and improve connections to the surrounding local road network, while also adding infrastructure to support on-airport shuttle operations.

Leadership Perspectives on the Expansion

The collaboration between Messer Construction Co., Sundt, and the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) aims to deliver the project on an aggressive schedule while maintaining environmental performance standards. Project leaders have emphasized the transformative nature of the investment.

“This project is a transformative investment in the future of Nashville International Airport and the region it serves. Our team is proud to partner with Messer Construction Co. and MNAA to deliver a facility focused on the traveler experience while improving operational efficiency and supporting the airport’s continued growth.”

The quote above highlights the dual focus on customer experience and operational capability that the joint venture is bringing to the Nashville market.

Messer Operations Vice President Jeff Banta echoed these sentiments, noting the importance of the final phase of the terminal area roadway improvements.

“We’re excited to partner with Sundt and MNAA to lead the construction of BNA’s new consolidated rental car facility, parking garage expansion and the final phase of the terminal area roadway improvements. Our talented design-build team is proud to be part of improving the traveler experience for the growing Nashville region.”

Banta’s remarks, sourced from the official announcement, reinforce the joint venture’s commitment to supporting the region’s economic and infrastructural growth.

AirPro News analysis

The $3 billion New Horizon program at Nashville International Airport reflects a broader trend among mid-sized and large U.S. hubs racing to modernize aging infrastructure. As passenger volumes continue to break records post-pandemic, airports are increasingly turning to consolidated rental car facilities (CONRACs) to reduce terminal congestion and centralize ground transportation.

By removing rental car shuttles from the main terminal loop and integrating a 4,700-vehicle facility with a 3,000-space parking garage, BNA is positioning itself to handle long-term capacity demands. The $900 million price tag for this specific phase illustrates the high capital costs associated with progressive design-build infrastructure in today’s construction market.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the total cost of the BNA CONRAC program?

According to the press release, the Messer Sundt Joint Venture’s work on the CONRAC program is estimated to cost $900 million.

When will the Nashville Airport CONRAC project be completed?

The project will be delivered in phases and is scheduled for final completion in 2029.

How many vehicles will the new facilities hold?

The project includes a new parking garage with 3,000 spaces and an adjoining consolidated rental car facility designed to hold 4,700 vehicles.

Sources

• Messer Construction Co.

This article summarizes reporting by CBS News Chicago and Sara Tenenbaum.

Southwest Airlines is officially ending its five-year operational stint at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). According to reporting by CBS News Chicago, the Dallas-based carrier announced on Friday, March 13, 2026, that it will cease all flights at the major international hub this coming June.

“Southwest Airlines announced Friday that it will stop operating flights out of Chicago O’Hare International Airport in June,” reported Sara Tenenbaum for CBS News Chicago.

The strategic retreat also includes a simultaneous withdrawal from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). The final day of service for both airports will be June 3, 2026, marking a significant network optimization effort by the airline. For travelers, this signals a definitive shift back to Southwest’s traditional stronghold at Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), where the airline plans to consolidate its Chicago-area operations and absorb displaced routes.

Timeline and Customer Accommodations

Managing the June Transition

The operational cutoff is set for early June. As detailed in official Southwest Airlines travel advisories and highlighted in the CBS News Chicago report, the airline’s final flights out of O’Hare will depart on June 3, 2026. Any itineraries scheduled for June 4 or later will be directly impacted by the closure, while travelers flying on or before June 3 will experience no disruptions.

To mitigate inconveniences, Southwest is offering flexible accommodations for affected passengers. Travelers holding tickets for June 4 and beyond are eligible for full refunds on unused fares. Alternatively, passengers can rebook or fly standby from nearby alternative airports, including Chicago Midway, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE), or Indianapolis International Airport (IND).

The Return to Midway

Consolidating Chicago Operations

Southwest’s departure from O’Hare represents a return to its historical strategy. For decades, the airline famously avoided the congestion of O’Hare, choosing instead to dominate the smaller, more manageable Midway Airport. This strategy worked flawlessly for the airline prior to 2021, allowing for rapid turnarounds and high aircraft utilization rates. The carrier only expanded into O’Hare in 2021 during the pandemic to capture shifting market share, making this June exit the end of a five-year experiment.

Now, the airline is doubling down on its South Side hub. Industry research reports indicate that Southwest will increase its capacity at Midway to compensate for the O’Hare exit. The airline plans to operate up to 244 daily departures from Midway, serving more than 80 nonstop destinations. Furthermore, 15 markets previously served from O’Hare will be transferred to Midway, ensuring that Chicago travelers retain access to these routes without losing overall network connectivity.

Broader Industry Challenges

Boeing Delays and Network Optimization

The decision to exit O’Hare and Dulles does not exist in a vacuum. The broader aviation industry is currently navigating a complex web of operational hurdles, including FAA congestion caps, air traffic controller shortages, and severe aircraft delivery constraints. Airlines are increasingly forced to make tough choices about where to deploy their limited resources, often retreating to core hubs where they maintain dominant market share.

Southwest has been forced to make difficult network decisions over the past few years. In April 2024, the airline announced significant capacity reductions at O’Hare and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, while completely exiting four other markets, including Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental and Syracuse.

During the company’s Q1 2024 earnings call, CEO Bob Jordan attributed those earlier cutbacks to financial underperformance and ongoing delivery delays from Boeing. The 2026 withdrawal from O’Hare appears to be a continuation of this long-term strategy to optimize resources amid constrained fleet growth.

AirPro News analysis

We view Southwest’s exit from O’Hare as a pragmatic admission that the 2021 pandemic-era expansion into ultra-congested legacy hubs has yielded diminishing returns in today’s constrained operating environment. By retreating to Midway, Southwest reclaims its operational reliability and shields itself from the severe air traffic control and congestion issues that frequently impact O’Hare. While the loss of competition at O’Hare may marginally impact fares at that specific airport, Southwest’s aggressive capacity transfer to Midway ensures the broader Chicago market remains highly competitive.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Southwest’s last day of service at O’Hare?

According to Southwest’s travel advisory, the final day of service at Chicago O’Hare and Washington Dulles will be June 3, 2026.

Can I get a refund if my flight is scheduled after June 3?

Yes. Passengers with flights booked for June 4, 2026, or later are eligible for full refunds on unused tickets, or they can rebook out of alternative airports like Midway, Milwaukee, or Indianapolis.

Is Southwest leaving Chicago entirely?

No. Southwest is consolidating its operations at Chicago Midway International Airport, where it will increase daily departures and absorb 15 markets previously served out of O’Hare.

Sources

• CBS News Chicago

This article is based on an official press release from Hawaiian Airlines.

Hawaiian Airlines is overhauling its airport lobby experience by introducing self-service bag tag stations across its network. According to a company press release, the Airlines will roll out upgraded software on its existing lobby kiosks in phases, starting with its five Airports in Hawai’i later this month.

The initiative is designed to reduce lobby congestion, minimize wait times, and eliminate the waste associated with printed boarding passes. By mid-April, the new technology will be deployed across Hawaiian’s continental U.S. and international lobbies, aligning the carrier’s check-in process with modern, mobile-first travel expectations.

This transition is a key component of Hawaiian Airlines’ broader integration with Alaska Airlines, which successfully implemented similar self-service technology across its own network in 2023.

Transitioning to a Mobile-First Experience

How the New Process Works

Under the new system, Hawaiian Airlines is shifting away from traditional kiosk check-ins. The press release notes that guests are now expected to check in via the airline’s mobile app or website up to 24 hours before departure. Upon arriving at the airport, travelers will scan their digital or home-printed boarding passes at the new bag tag stations to print their own luggage tags.

Once the tags are attached, passengers can proceed directly to designated bag drop areas. The updated kiosks will no longer print boarding passes, a move that supports the airline’s Sustainability goals by reducing paper waste.

“We consistently hear from our guests that they want to spend less time in the airport lobby and prefer to get on their way as quickly and easily as possible,” said Shelly Parker, Head of Hawai’i guest operations for Hawaiian Airlines, in the press release.

Integration with Alaska Airlines Systems

Proven Success and PSS Integration

The shift to self-service bag tagging closely mirrors the lobby experience at Alaska Airlines. According to the press release, Alaska Airlines transitioned to the same system in 2023. Data from Alaska shows that guests who pre-pay for their luggage spend an average of less than 60 seconds at the bag station, a metric Hawaiian Airlines hopes to replicate as travelers adopt the new technology.

This hardware and software update is also a preparatory step for a major technological milestone. Parker noted that the transition is an important part of the airline’s readiness for the integration of its passenger service system (PSS), which is scheduled for April. By the end of April, all Alaska and Hawaiian stations, including international locations, will be equipped with the bag tag stations.

Financial Incentives and Guest Support

Discounts for Pre-Paying

To encourage adoption of the mobile-first process, Hawaiian Airlines is introducing a financial incentive for travelers. Effective April 22, guests flying on North-America itineraries will receive a $5 discount on their first checked bag fee if they pre-pay online or via the mobile app at least four hours before departure. The press release clarifies that guests who wait to pay at the bag tag station will be charged the full price.

Continued Agent Assistance

Despite the push for digital self-service, Hawaiian Airlines emphasized that human support will remain available. The airline stated that customer service agents will continue to staff the lobbies to assist guests who do not have smartphones, require printed boarding passes, or need help with complex reservations and ID verification.

AirPro News analysis

At AirPro News, we view the transition to self-service bag tagging as a clear indicator of the rapid operational alignment between Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines following their corporate integration. By standardizing the lobby experience across both carriers ahead of their April passenger service system (PSS) merger, the airline group is minimizing potential friction for travelers navigating the combined network. Furthermore, the shift toward a mobile-first check-in process reflects a broader airline industry trend aimed at reducing overhead costs, cutting paper waste, and optimizing terminal footprints. The $5 incentive for pre-paying baggage fees is a strategic nudge to change consumer behavior, ensuring that the physical kiosks are used strictly for tag printing rather than time-consuming transactional processes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the new kiosks print boarding passes?

No. According to the press release, the upgraded bag tag stations will only print luggage tags. Guests must obtain their boarding passes via the mobile app, website, or by speaking with a customer service agent.

When will the rollout be completed?

Hawaiian Airlines expects all of its stations, including continental U.S. and international locations, to have the new bag tag stations operational by the end of April.

What if a passenger does not have a smartphone?

Travelers without smartphones can check in on the Hawaiian Airlines website and print their boarding passes at home, or they can receive full assistance from a guest service agent at the airport.

Sources

• Hawaiian Airlines Press Release