$50M Martha’s Vineyard Airport Expansion Project Takes Flight

The Martha's Vineyard Airport is set to begin a $50 million renovation on Monday, Oct. 20, aiming to expand and modernize its terminal significantly.

This project, which has been planned for close to a decade, will nearly double the terminal size by adding approximately 15,000 square feet.

Additional upgrades include installing a new stormwater filtration system and switching the airport's heating from oil to propane, enhancing environmental sustainability. A key part of the renovation involves relocating the TSA screening area near the rental car agencies and baggage claim sections. The move will help increase capacity, allowing for two lines and easing congestion during peak travel times.

Additionally, the terminal expansion will include enclosing the outdoor departure area, which is currently exposed to the weather, to prevent disruptions and enhance the passenger experience.

Construction will be phased to minimize disruptions during the summer. Work on the terminal's underground infrastructure, including piping and conduits, will start first, while the weather is pleasant. Construction is expected to be completed by May 2028.

Parking Lot A, a long-term parking lot at the terminal, will be closed for approximately two years during construction, with parking options relocated to Lots B and C.

According to a Vineyard Gazette report, the construction is in response to the airport's record number of passengers in recent years. In 2024, nearly 82,000 people flew on commercial flights in and out of the airport, a new high. 

The current terminal, built in 1998, borders the West Tisbury and Edgartown town lines. Within just a few years of its construction, however, the terminal became obsolete due to the changes in airport security that came from the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

Funding includes a $15 million Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant received last year, supplemented by federal grants, state grants, and the airport's own budget.