The Chattanooga Airport is adding a new $3.2 million community hangar as demand continues to grow for hangar space.
Terry Hart, Airport president, said, "We are at capacity at this airport. All of our hangars are full."
The new hangar will be built next to the Wilson Air Center FOB and be operated by the air center.
Mr. Hart said the project will take up the remaining space at the West End of the Airport.
It will have 28,000 square feet with space for 10-14 airplanes.
Officials said rent is from $1,000 to $2,000 per month or more for large jets.
Wilson Construction of Athens, Tn., had the low bid of $2,963,519. The engineering fee to Allen & Hoshell is $263,090. Other bidders were Morgan Construction and Dillard Construction.
Work is set to start in early October, and it should be finished in March or April.
The airport is also embarking on the first phase of the renovation of the east ramp. Talley Construction had the low bid of $3,210,853. Thomas Brothers bid $2.7 million.
Officials said the work has been completed on a covered walkway at a new 300-spot parking lot.
Work will now start on building a covered walkway through the short-term and long-term lots.
Mr. Hart said emplanements continue to grow at the airport - up over 15 percent for August.
He said they are up 13 percent year to date.
All carriers are up, including Delta 19 percent, American 18 percent, USA Air five percent and Allegiant two percent.
The Airport Board approved spending $18,500 to update the "leakage" study that shows how many would-be customers are flying elsewhere.
Mr. Hart said he believes it is down from the over 65 percent four years ago, but still high.
He said with more favorable rates here that travelers sometimes drive all the way from Knoxville and Atlanta to fly out of Chattanooga.