Blue Grass Airport undergoing major upgrades

TSA rolls out nationwide updates as Lexington airport unveils some of its own.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – Airports across the country are rolling out a new change at TSA checkpoints,  and it’s already in place at Blue Grass Airport in Lexington.

Travelers no longer have to remove their shoes when going through standard security lines, a shift that took effect this week.

“So that did start here at Blue Grass Airport this past Monday,” said Lauren Simmerman, Community Relations Manager for the airport. “I think passengers are excited to see that change, so one less step in the travel process.”

Flyers seem to be on board.

“I think it’s important that rules and things like that evolve,” said traveler Jamie Gordon. “I travel quite a bit and always feel comfortable that TSA is doing a really good and thorough job, so I have all the faith,” said Gordon.

But the changes don’t stop there. Construction is underway on a new parking lot at Blue Grass Airport that will add more than 800 new spaces. Airport officials say the expansion is long overdue.

“Parking, if you’ve traveled through here, has been problematic for us over the last couple of years,” Simmerman said. “Just seeing more passengers than we really have parking spaces for, so some passengers have unfortunately had to park in the overflow lot, so this is a problem that we’re already experiencing,” said Simmerman.

The new lot is expected to be complete by this time next year.

It’s all part of the airport’s “Master Plan Process” an expansion effort that takes place every 20 years.

Earlier this year, Blue Grass Airport also introduced license plate scanning at the parking garage, doing away with printed tickets for paid parking.