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Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) reached a major structural milestone on October 23, 2026, when crews installed the final beam for the AVL Forward terminal. The topping-out ceremony completes the building’s structural frame, but it does not mean the terminal is finished or ready to open. Interior construction, demolition and passenger-facility work will continue toward an expected completion window from late 2027 to early 2028.
What happened at AVL’s topping-out ceremony?
The airport held its final topping-out ceremony at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 23, 2026. Construction crews lifted the terminal’s last structural beam into place after airport staff, Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority board members and construction partners signed it.
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What does “topping out” mean for the project?
In construction, topping out is the traditional ceremony held when a building’s primary structural frame is complete. At AVL, it confirms that the major columns, beams and roof-supporting structure for the new terminal are in place.
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It is not an opening ceremony. The terminal still needs extensive interior work, building systems, finishes and passenger facilities before the completed expansion can serve travelers.
What construction remains after the final beam?
The project’s final phase involves both finishing the new terminal and removing parts of the legacy airport complex. The remaining work includes:
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- Demolition of the old Air Traffic Control Tower.
- Construction of the new terminal’s grand lobby.
- Completion of the south baggage-claim area.
- Construction of administrative offices.
- Installation of the permanent Transportation Security Administration checkpoint.
- Construction of the south concourse.
Because the airport remains open during the program, this work is being sequenced around active passenger operations rather than completed as one uninterrupted shutdown.
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When will the AVL Forward terminal be complete?
Asheville Regional Airport expects the full program to finish from the end of 2027 to early 2028. The airport describes AVL Forward as a 4.5-year, phased project, so the October 2026 topping out arrives roughly one year after the final construction phase began in October 2025.
The finished terminal is planned to total 335,000 square feet. The schedule is an expectation rather than an announced opening date; interior installation, demolition and commissioning work still have to be completed before the final facilities can enter service.
How did AVL Forward reach this milestone?
The airport launched AVL Forward in 2019 and broke ground on August 11, 2023. Major portions opened in stages so passengers could continue using the airport:
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| Milestone | Timing | What opened or began |
|---|---|---|
| Program launch | 2019 | AVL Forward planning began. |
| Groundbreaking | August 11, 2023 | Construction started. |
| North-side operations | June 2025 | The Checked Baggage Inspection System, north ticketing area, temporary TSA checkpoint and North Concourse began operating. |
| Partial baggage claim | April 2026 | A portion of the new baggage-claim facility opened. |
| Rental-car facility | May 2026 | The new rental-car facility opened. |
| New control tower | May 2026 | The new air-traffic-control tower began operating. |
| Final structural beam | October 23, 2026 | The terminal’s structural frame was completed. |
Why is Asheville Regional Airport expanding?
Passenger demand is the central reason for the investment. Asheville Regional Airport recorded 2.24 million passengers in 2025. It currently serves five airlines and 26 nonstop destinations, and the airport identifies AVL Forward as the largest infrastructure investment in its history.
The phased expansion is intended to provide more room for check-in, security, baggage processing, concourse circulation and airport administration while supporting continued regional growth. The final beam therefore represents capacity being created for future operations, not an immediate increase in routes.
Will the project automatically bring more airlines and nonstop routes?
Not necessarily. A larger terminal gives the airport more space and operational flexibility, but airlines independently decide whether to add service. New routes depend on factors such as aircraft availability, local demand, economics and airline network strategy.
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The completed building may improve the conditions for future growth, but AVL has not established that a specific airline or destination will be added when construction ends.
What should passengers expect while construction continues?
Passengers should expect a functioning airport alongside an active construction site through the final phase. Facilities have been opening incrementally, including the north-side ticketing and concourse areas, a temporary TSA checkpoint, partial new baggage claim, the rental-car facility and the replacement control tower.
Travelers should follow signs and airport instructions on the day of travel because entrances, screening locations and walking routes can change as demolition and interior work progress. The permanent checkpoint and the new south-side facilities are part of the work still ahead.
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What does the topping out mean for Asheville?
The ceremony is a visible transition from structural construction to the building’s final build-out. For the region, it marks progress on a terminal designed to handle the airport’s growing passenger base while keeping flights operating during construction.
The practical finish line remains the late-2027-to-early-2028 completion window, when the lobby, south baggage claim, permanent security checkpoint, offices and south concourse are expected to be ready as part of the 335,000-square-foot terminal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between topping out and a terminal opening?
Topping out marks completion of a building’s structural frame. A terminal opening comes later, after interior systems, finishes, inspections, commissioning and passenger facilities are complete.
How long has the AVL Forward project been underway?
AVL Forward launched in 2019, construction broke ground on August 11, 2023, and the final construction phase began in October 2025. The airport characterizes the overall program as a 4.5-year phased project.
What parts of the old Asheville terminal will be demolished?
The final phase calls for demolition of the existing terminal’s main entrance and south portion, along with the old Air Traffic Control Tower. Demolition is being coordinated with the airport’s ongoing operations.
How large will the completed AVL terminal be?
The planned completed terminal is 335,000 square feet. That figure includes the new passenger and support spaces being delivered through the phased AVL Forward program.
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