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?(Images from Purdue University)Purdue University Airport held a ceremony on Aug. 8 to commemorate the opening of the new Amelia Earhart Terminal and the launch of United Express flights operated by SkyWest.
The terminal is named after Amelia Earhart and her connection with Purdue. Earhart served as an advisor and career counselor for women at the college from 1935 to 1937. She also flew out of Purdue University Airport (LAF), the nation's first university-owned airport, when it first opened in the 1930s.
The new facility is 10,000 sq ft and is designed to meet the needs of the larger flights between LAF and Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Its exterior has curbside drop-off space, new signage and a new parking lot. Safety improvements have also been made to other parking areas and the railroad pedestrian crossing.
The interior features new screening equipment from the TSA, new furniture, a small marketplace and Purdue-branded graphics. Prudue credits its stakeholders, such as Lilly Endowment Inc. and READI, for the success of the project.
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"Thanks to the partnerships with leaders of our state and local community, Purdue University Airport now has a new commercial passenger service terminal honoring the Boilermaker legacy of Amelia Earhart," said Purdue President Mung Chiang. "The new aircraft and service are yet another reflection of the tremendous economic growth in Greater Lafayette today and will further accelerate the creation of jobs, talent and innovation along America's Hard Tech Corridor."
United Express flights started on Aug. 5 and tickets can now be booked on Purdue's website.
"United and SkyWest are excited to partner with Purdue University to launch this new jet service," said Kevin Peters, director of United's network and fleet strategy. "This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to making the service a success, and we thank Purdue for its vision and support that made it a reality. With just one flight to Chicago, passengers can easily connect to destinations around the world on United's global network."