New terminal, new airline: upgrades underway for Del Norte Airport

CRESCENT CITY, CA. – Major changes are underway at the Del Norte County Regional Airport, as they prepare to take back to the skies.

Right now, concrete is being poured for the foundation of a new terminal.

The structure will replace the old terminal, and is expected to be complete around the end of this year.

Since December, when airline PenAir broke their Essential Air Service contract, the Del Norte Airport has been without commercial air service.

Come April 11, Contour Airlines will come to Crescent City, with flights to Oakland International.

Airline staff say they’re excited for the changes to come.

“I think it’s going to enhance collective quality of life. We’re going to have a new terminal. When people come in from New York City, or Saint Louis, or Nashville this will be their introduction to Crescent City and Del Norte County,” said Airport Director Matthew Leitner.

CEO of Contour Airlines added, “Flight time is expected to be less than one hour each way. Every seat has additonal legroom. We’ve removed seven seats from the aircraft to create legroom equivilant to first class on major airlines.”