In 1982, the Authority opened the new $43M Guam International Air Terminal (now the Commuter Terminal). At the time, the terminal was referred to as a white elephant, based on the popular belief that the facility was so huge that it would never be fully utilized.
In 1986, Guam and the surrounding Pacific region experienced major foreign investment and increase in their visitor industry. In that year over 900,000 passengers moved through the terminal, thus disproving any doubt that the original expansion was an over ambitious project.
In January 1989, the Guam International Air Terminal was officially named the A. B. Won Pat Guam International Air Terminal to honor the Guam Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives for his visionary efforts and exemplary representation for the island of Guam.
In 1998, the Authority successfully completed the $241 million expansion project of the present airport facilities. The size increased from the original 225,783 sq. ft. to the current square footage of 767,553, boasting state of the art baggage systems, security systems, 17 additional gates, moving walkways along with expansive and, luxurious retail and food and beverage concession areas.
On September 29, 2001, the U.S. Navy officially transferred title of Tiyan properties consisting of approximately 1,410 acres to the Guam International Airport. This area includes active airport operation areas, runways, hangars, ground support and warehouse facilities. Over a period of 5 years, the Airport had successfully transcend numerous restrictions and requirements posed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the U.S. Navy and complex legal and federal provisions, gaining approval of the use of the land and ultimately seeing through the final phase of the Public Benefit Transfer – gaining title to Tiyan properties. Processing of the Public Benefit Transfer application with the U.S. Navy was a consolidated effort by the Guam International Airport Authority and the Government of Guam’s Base Reuse and Alignment Steering Committee.
GIAA continues to enhance airport facilities with capital improvement projects planned throughout Fiscal Year 2004. These projects consist of runway extensions, additional taxiway construction, building upgrades and instrument installations to support long range and wider body aircraft. The projects with an estimated total of over $88,000,000 are federally subsidized programs, adhering to strict FAA guidelines and regulations.