Boise Airport officially opened its new $107 million Rental Car Center on September 1, 2026, with a ribbon cutting that marks one of the airport’s biggest upgrades since the terminal opened in 2003.

The seven-story garage sits just past baggage claim and is linked to the terminal by a 4,000-square-foot covered pedestrian walkway with new public art. Inside: a roughly 20,000-square-foot customer service building and about 1,100 rental car spaces — more than triple the old surface lot that sat farther from the terminal.

Mayor Lauren McLean said the goal is a first impression that stays walkable and close to bags, without the long shuttle ride travelers get at many bigger airports. Interim Airport Director Kathleen Watkins called rental-car pickup the moment many Idaho road trips begin, sending visitors into Boise, the Treasure Valley, and the rest of the state.

Deputy Director of Engineering and Planning Beth Sumner framed the garage as a puzzle piece for the next expansion: moving rental cars frees the old lot for the future Concourse A apron. Concourse A is still in design (about 40% complete in recent updates) and is planned for up to 10 gates as annual passenger traffic sits near 5 million. Airport passenger traffic is up about 81% since 2015.

Local builder McAlvain Companies led construction with about 200 craft workers and more than 23,000 cubic yards of concrete. A second phase — a quick-turn garage for washing and fueling rentals — is still queued for later once an existing site lease ends.

For people moving to Idaho or visiting for the first time, the new center is a small but practical quality-of-life win: get off the plane, grab bags, walk a short covered path, and drive out without a bus transfer.

Project Quick Facts:

• Cost: about $107 million
• Opened: September 1, 2026 (ribbon cutting)
• Height: seven-story rental garage
• Capacity: ~1,100 rental spaces (more than 3× prior lot)
• Customer service building: ~20,000 sq ft
• Covered walkway: ~4,000 sq ft with public art
• Builder: McAlvain Companies (~200 craft workers; 23,000+ cu yd concrete)
• Next: frees old rental lot for future Concourse A apron; quick-turn garage phase later

Photo credit: Idaho News 2 / CBS2 coverage of the Sept. 1, 2026 ribbon cutting (public art / walkway at the new Rental Car Center).

Sources: Idaho News 2 (CBS2), Idaho Press, BoiseDev / City of Boise Airport.