New Terminal: Yes, No, Yes, No

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June 2005: At a "Vision Meeting" held by the Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission to address the future of what is then called the Little Rock National Airport, developer Jimmy Moses suggests building a completely new main passenger terminal instead of merely expanding and renovating it. Consensus is that the terminal, which opened in 1972, is seriously outdated.

October 2005: The cost of a new terminal is put at $183 million, and some commissioners voice concerns about how a new terminal would be funded.

January 2006: Ron Mathieu joins the airport as deputy director.

2006: The Airport Commission debates replacing the terminal or renovating and expanding it. In July, a task force now puts the cost of replacing the terminal at $254 million.

September 2007: Airport Executive Director Deborah Schwartz announces she’ll resign Nov. 30 after 13 years leading the airport.

December 2007: The commission hires a consulting firm to examine whether the terminal should be replaced or renovated.  

April 2008: The consultant, citing turmoil in the airline industry and the slowing economy (which would become the Great Recession) tells the Airport Commission that a new terminal would be too expensive and recommends a dramatic renovation and expansion that could be done in stages.

June 2008: Mathieu is named executive director of the airport.

August 2008: The Airport Commission approves a renovation plan for the terminal, to be phased in during the next 15 years.

2008: The airport, with commission approval, allows its lease agreements with air carriers to expire and negotiates rates and charges favorable to the airport. 2008 was "a pivotal year as the Commission decided to reinvent the organization, which led to a dramatic financial shift that served as the catalyst to begin construction," says Shane Carter, airport director of public affairs and governmental operations.

2010: Groundbreaking on phase one of the airport expansion and remodel.

2011: Construction starts.

February 2013: Estimated completion of phase one.