COLUMBUS, Ohio — John Glenn International Airport has received approval for a $2 billion dollar expansion project.

“Columbus should be proud of a top-tier, world-class airport. We are determined to deliver on that,” said Joseph Nardone, president and CEO of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority.

Nardone and his team at the Columbus Regional Airport Authority are on a mission as they work to give passengers a new state-of-the-art terminal.

“Terminals are really about passengers. What can we do about the customer experience and the passenger experience?” said Nardone.

The $2 billion plan approved by the airport’s board will include a spacious 36-gate terminal, a central marketplace with new restaurant options and just one security checkpoint, instead of the three that the airport has now.

“We want to make sure that the customer leaves this airport saying this is the best airport experience I’ve had anywhere in the world,” said Nardone.

The new terminal will be built where a pair of its parking lots sit now. Construction is expected to start later this year, and now the airport is launching a new website called “CMH Next” to keep travelers in the know on its progress.

“Well, we want people to be able to see what we’re doing over here at CMH. It’s really important that we have the community understanding the progress that we’re making. It’s an extraordinary time. People don’t really understand because they can’t feel it until it gets here,” said Nardone.

The airport will also include a new pedestrian bridge that gives passengers an easy way to walk to the rental car center and a new 5,000-space parking garage. And Nardone says the project is all being funded without raising taxes.

“So there’s a lot of nervousness about us raising people’s taxes for the airport. User fees are paid by passengers. The airport is primarily supported by airlines paying rent and various fees. Then we raise money through concession fees and parking,” said Nardone.

The new terminal is expected to open in 2029.