BENTONVILLE, Ark. — As expansion projects continue at Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA), airport officials say two new additions are scheduled to make their debut at the airport soon.
Usually, when you go to drop someone off at the airport, you have to say goodbye before they go through security, but at XNA, you could soon be able to prolong your time with your loved ones, going through security with them, with no boarding pass needed.
“When I say goodbye to somebody at the airport that I want to hold on to just a little bit longer, I'm gonna want to go and see them at their gate,” said XNA Public Affairs Manager Olivia Moore.
Moore says that’s what people will be able to do with the airport’s new guest passes.
“Essentially, folks can come to the airport, they can register for a guest pass downstairs at our TSA Precheck lobby kiosk,” Moore said. “To get their guest pass is completely free. They'll go through security, like normal, and then they'll be able to enjoy all our vendors, they'll be able to say goodbye to their loved ones, family, and friends at the gate.”
Moore says you’ll be able to register for a pass on the day you want to use it.
One traveler, Jeff Collins, says he and his family, including his dog, Ace, are frequent fliers through XNA and he can see them taking advantage of the program.
“I think it's a great idea,” Collins said. “I mean, oftentimes, there are delays, and it'd be great to have family or friends there to pass that time, whether it be at a restaurant or just kind of hanging out and talking.”
Moore says the program is scheduled to begin this month. They’re just waiting on TSA approval to put it into action.
And another new addition coming soon: Bionics by Onyx is set to come to the airport towards the end of the summer.
“Onyx Coffee Lab is going to be operating a Cafe X coffee robot,” Moore said. “It's essentially a mechanical arm that can do any coffee specialty.”
Moore says customers will be able to order on a touchscreen kiosk, and the robotic barista will be quick and consistent, making mochas, lattes, cappuccinos, and more.
“Onyx coffee is a big portion of why Northwest Arkansas is the way it is,” Moore said. “So we're very excited that we can have that Cafe X coffee robot with the local flair of Onyx coffee.”
Both projects are still in the works – but Moore says travelers can expect to see them at the airport soon.
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