PORTSMOUTH, N.H. - New Hampshire's Pease Development Authority is getting ready to begin a major terminal expansion at Pease Airport.

Executive Director Dick Green said the impetus for the $5 million expansion is to deal with an increase in the number of flights from Skybus. The airline now runs six flights a day out of Pease; two flights each to Columbus, Ohio; Greensboro, N.C.; and Punta Gorda, Fla.

Board members said they hope the expansion also will help attract other business.

Construction is scheduled to begin before the end of March, with work projected to be finished next fall.