Annoying atrium zero. Air Transat and Sunwing one

What can one million d'orazoonies do for the Sault Ste. Marie Airport?

About 12,000 passengers a month says airport Chief Executive Officer Terry Bos.

Oh, and rid them of a very annoying atrium that was taking up valuable space.

Bos' hopes for the Sault Ste. Marie Airport are flying as high as the 747s that land and take off there after an announcement today of $1 million funding for upgrades to the main terminal building.

Work on the terminal has been under-way for a while now and, during Sault MPP David Orazietti's announcement workers could be seen hanging electronic signs in the holding room which is now quite a bit bigger since the atrium was removed.

Bos said the upgrades to the terminal are necessary since the Sault so happily landed Porter Airlines.

"Since Porter Airlines has been here," said Bos. "Our ridership is up probably about 35 percent and that's certainly very encouraging to see."

The desk formerly occupied by Sunwing Airlines was converted to a cosy spot for Porter but Sunwing and Air Transat, the two seasonal destination airlines, will be back soon to fly sun-seekers to holiday destinations out of Sault Ste. Marie.

Now they will have a spot as well, Bos said.

And the holding room will be big enough to hold all the passengers for all five airlines that fly in and out of Sault Ste. Marie.

As many as 300 at a time.

"Sault Ste. Marie could become the hub of air travel for Northern Ontario," Bos said.

He would know, too.

Bos wrote the business plan for the Sault Ste. Marie Airport Development Corporation back in 1999 when the airport scored him as a youth intern.

Tony Clement's golden boy grew into a leader of consequence and the airport has grown along with him.

"It's very rewarding finding that at least some of our efforts are paying off," he said. "This [announcement] is great news."

Next, Bos and the super-team behind him (Sault Ste. Marie Airport Development Corporation Board of Directors, chaired by Jerry Dolcetti) will be putting together another pitch to the Northern Ontario Development Fund for money to replace the airport's out-dated baggage carousel.

"During the winter, for our international flights, Canada Customs has to be here," said Bos. "They have requirements as far as space goes."

The current carousel is outdated and doesn't conform to Canada Customs standards so it has to be replaced to accommodate customs officers.

The plan is to take out the existing carousel, the wall behind it and expand the terminal to the east.