Demolition plans have been approved for the vacated Davey Terminal at the airport. That site will eventually become the location for a $400-million-plus new "North" terminal that will be constructed to serve the airlines that currently fly from the aging Smith Terminal including Air Canada, American, America West, Independence Air, Southwest, Spirit, USAirways, United and possibly others. Gensler Architecture, Design & Planning leads the design team.

"Many other airports are struggling to modify their terminals to accommodate the new passenger and luggage screening requirements. We have the opportunity to design and construct a terminal to efficiently accommodate the new passenger screening criteria, as well as 100% checked baggage screening," says Lester Robinson, chief executive officer of the Wayne County Airport Authority.

Demolition of the ramp and structures on the construction site could begin as early as June, and Robinson says he expects a dedication ceremony for the proposed North Terminal before the end of 2008. The airport says its passenger levels in 2004 trailed only 2000, when the aviation industry set records in overall passenger levels. DTW finished 2004 with nearly 35.2 total passengers passing through the terminals. In 2000 the airport handled 35.5 million.