Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) celebrates another major milestone in the AVL Forward terminal construction project on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 10:30am. Construction crews will place the final beam for the new terminal, marking the last structural milestone. This process is known as “topping out” and coincides with a ceremonial program. Topping out is a long-standing builders’ tradition that celebrates the completion of a structure’s frame, and this one comes almost exactly one year after the final phase of construction began on October 2, 2025.
In the days before the ceremony, airport staff, members of the Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority (GARAA) Board, and construction partner staff signed the beam. Their names will live on in the frame of a building that will welcome travelers to Western North Carolina for decades to come.
“Topping out is the moment a building stops being a plan and starts being a place,” said Lew Bleiweis, A.A.E., President and CEO of the Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority. “Every name on that beam belongs to someone who helped get us here. We’re proud to see the last piece of the structure go up, and even prouder of what it means for the travelers and the western North Carolina community we serve.”
This final phase of construction includes the demolition of the main entrance and south portion of the legacy terminal as well as the old Air Traffic Control Tower while building the new terminal’s grand lobby, south baggage claim area, administrative offices, permanent TSA security checkpoint and the new south concourse.
“In July 2024, we celebrated the topping out of the first phase of construction. Getting to raise the final beam for the last phase is a full-circle moment for our team,” said Matthew DeCarli, Project Manager, Hensel Phelps. “I’ve been with AVL Forward since the beginning, and it’s been a privilege to watch this terminal take shape alongside an airport team that has kept passengers moving through every step of construction. We’re proud to carry that momentum into the final stretch.”
The project launched in 2019 and broke ground on Aug. 11, 2023. Since then, several key milestones have been reached. In June 2025, the Checked Baggage Inspection System (CBIS) began operating with the opening of the north Ticketing area and the debut of the new temporary TSA security checkpoint and North Concourse. This year, AVL opened a partial new baggage claim in April and the new rental car facility in May. Also in May, the new Air Traffic Control Tower began operating, a critical step that cleared the way to move forward with this final phase of construction that brings the airport to this important milestone moment.
For more information about the AVL Forward project, visit flyavl.com/AVL_forward
###
FOR MEDIA: Photos can be found on the AVL Forward Media webpage: AVL Forward Media Information | Asheville Regional Airport
ABOUT AVL
Serving more than 2.24 million passengers in 2025 Asheville Regional Airport is continuing its growth trajectory. The Airport is served by five airlines that provide nonstop service to 26 nonstop destinations. AVL’s terminal expansion project, known as AVL Forward, is the largest infrastructure investment in the airport’s history and will deliver a world-class travel experience. Guided by its mission to champion exceptional experiences and economic vitality, AVL is an authentic and convenient gateway for both business and adventure. Learn more at flyAVL.com.