724th AMS opens doors to new NATO terminal

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Michael O'Connor
  • 31st Fighter Wing public affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Air Mobility Command's 724th Air Mobility Squadron at Aviano Air Base, Italy processed their first passengers this week following the opening of the new passenger and air freight terminal Sept. 10.

The new 34,000-plus square-foot facility is located approximately a quarter-mile down the street past the old vehicle pass and registration office on Area F. The new predominantly NATO-funded terminal cost more than $10 million and replaces the previous 54-year-old facility.

"The new terminal down here really adds a new dimension and is essentially twice the floor space than they had before," said Gen. Arthur Lichte, the commander of Air Mobility Command, during his visit here May 18-19. "They can take and process folks quicker ... handle more cargo ... and when you start to think about what happens in the future [with supporting U.S. Africa Command] ... it's very important and gives us many more options."

By having the air mobility en route structure at Aviano AB and the new NATO terminal helps everyone -- it helps our Air Force and it helps NATO, said the general.

Some additional creature comforts for passengers transiting through the terminal are: a one-stop shopping concept for Space-A travel and information, a larger family lounge with child-friendly amenities, twice as many bathrooms, credit/debit card readers for check-in and adapters for electronics, said Maj. Shon Webb, 724th AMS director of operations.

With more than 18,000 additional square feet, the new terminal now has a capacity to hold 325 passengers, 120 463L cargo pallets, and support a six truck loading/unloading operation.

Major Webb said the location and size of the new facility allows them to park and handle large aircraft close to their facility which reduces transportation time of cargo and passengers to and from the aircraft and the terminal building.

Construction on the new terminal began in January 2006 and is the only consolidated passenger/cargo AMC facility in Italy. The last major renovation on the previous terminal was in 2002.