By Kevin Lavery, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Lambert Airport is preparing to receive thousands of passengers arriving this week for the start of the NCAA Final Four on Saturday.
The airport is adorned with banners and decals welcoming the tens of thousands of expected passengers coming to watch the Final Four.
In addition to stepped up security and extra staff, fans will find a new restaurant and bookstore on the concourse. Airport interim director Dick Hrabko says both were timed to open this week.
"Well we worked hard to get that done. That was a goal we set back in December and we're able to accomplish it to get these two facilities open for the Final Four," Hrabko said.
Hrabko says carriers such as American Airlines and US Air are reserving extra seats on flights to accommodate the wave of arrivals.