Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (AZO) — Terminal Transition

As part of the comprehensive terminal replacement project at Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (AZO), Chrysalis provided Operational Readiness and Activation (ORAT) services to ensure the new facility opened smoothly and operated at full capacity from day one. The $36 million project delivered a modern 90,000-square-foot terminal featuring five passenger gates with enclosed skybridges, dual security screening lanes, rental car facilities, dining options, and upgraded passenger amenities. Constructed directly adjacent to the operational terminal, the new facility required careful sequencing, secure-area coordination, and phased activation to maintain uninterrupted operations throughout construction. Chrysalis guided the project from readiness planning through public opening, applying a proven ORAT methodology to address the unique operational challenges of transitioning to a brand-new facility while flights and passenger services continued in the old terminal. Our work included comprehensive stakeholder coordination with airport leadership, airlines, FAA representatives, and contractors to align operational requirements and ensure all systems and procedures were ready for launch. We oversaw live operational trials to validate passenger flows, test the new security screening process, confirm wayfinding, and integrate multiple systems. Our team also facilitated staff training and familiarization, giving airport personnel the hands-on experience needed to operate the new terminal’s gates, security lanes, and passenger amenities effectively. A key focus of the activation was verifying the functionality of the airport’s new hearing loop system, an accessibility enhancement designed to improve the travel experience for passengers with hearing impairments. Working with community partners, Chrysalis coordinated real-world testing to ensure the system performed to the highest standard before opening day. The result was a seamless transition to a world-class terminal that improves capacity, streamlines operations, and enhances the passenger experience—all delivered without operational interruption and fully ready to serve the traveling public from the moment the doors opened.