Detroit Metro Opens New Terminal ANN ARBOR, MI (Michigan Radio) - Detroit Metro airport has a new terminal. The new North terminal replaces the nearly half-century old Smith terminal at the airport.

The new terminal offers shorter walks, more food and shopping options, and an open layout with high ceilings and bright colors.

Airport spokesman Michael Conway says the North terminal will also be better on the environment. He says the terminal can provide power to planes at the gate, so they don't have to idle their engines. And he says there will be fueling stations at each gate.

"Instead of having those diesel-belching large fuel trucks out driving around on the ramp filling up airplanes with jet fuel, they just pull the jet fuel out of a hydrant right next to their gate," Conway says.

He says Detroit Metro will charge a higher lease rate for airlines at the new airport. Those higher leases come at a bad time for the airlines. But Conway says they also come with the promise of lower costs because the airlines will burn less fuel at the gate. © Copyright 2009, Michigan Radio