Calling it a huge milestone in the Guam International Airport's history, officials celebrated the official opening of their new primary runway extension. It's a development they hope will be the launching pad for lucrative new business opportunities.

At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, airport executive manager Chuck Ada said it was the most significant project for the airport in almost twenty years, telling KUAM News "As you all know, with the extension of our primary runway which is 6 Left/24 Right, this was by far the largest, and most ambitious project outside of the terminal expansion itself which was completed in 1996."

It is the culmination of a seven-year, $70 million multi-phase capital improvement project funded mostly by the FAA. Other improvements included new taxiways, extension of a shorter parallel runway, and new approach lighting.

But the most significant is the 2,000 additional feet added to the primary runway - 1,000-thousand on each end.

Airport board chairman Ed Untalan explained what a difference 2,000 feet can make, saying, "This is very important in the strategic development, the future strategic development of the airport and the island as it now makes long-haul flights to the West Coast possible. Today marks the beginning of a new line of business for Guam, and the airport, the long haul travel business. We can now market the opportunity to connect to and from Guam globally with direct flights to the West Coast."

Direct flights will certainly cut travel time to the United States mainland, and presumably airfares, as well.