SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – As the travel industry continues to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic, Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport continues with expansion plans.

City council has approved contracts worth nearly $ 7 million for improvement and expansion projects, including the rental car facility improvement project as well as paint and sign replacement. Two larger projects, the expansion of the security checkpoint and the terminal hall, are entering the final design phase.

Airport spokesperson Lori Lynah told WSAV News 3 that these projects could take three to four years after construction begins.

In 2019, 14.8 million people visited Savannah, according to the Chamber of Commerce. For Joe Marinelli, President of Visit Savannah, the airport experience is important, as it’s the first thing visitors see.

“Visitors from all over the country – and, really, around the world now – always compliment us on our experience at the airport,” Marinelli said. “The rocking chairs, the interpretation of the squares, a bit of Savannah, a bit of Hilton Head. It really is a great experience when visitors come to town.

Before the pandemic, the airport carried three million passengers and more than $ 37 million in revenue, according to the 2019 annual report.

To help generate more income for the city, the Marinelli department is turning to the market more for visitors by air.

“Today we are spending more money than ever in places like New York, Boston, Chicago, Dallas and so on,” he said. “We really want to attract this visitor by air and attract more people. These are the people who have more money to spend when they travel.”

Marinelli estimates that up to 50% of visitors pass through the airport. He hopes that the airport expansion and improvement projects will continue to increase that number.

“It’s about runways, freight and international, but they’ve never lost sight of and never lost the focus of making sure the overall visitor experience is a positive one,” said Marinelli.

Earlier this month, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) gave the airport more than $ 11 million for cargo operations. Lynn told News 3 that the project is expected to be completed in 2023.