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UK. BAA today revealed plans for a £40 million investment in Edinburgh Airport, to include a terminal extension and a broader commercial offer.
The project, BAA said, would “increase capacity in the terminal, provide a new purpose-built security screening area, and offer passengers a wider choice of shops, bars and restaurants”. The investment aims to develop the location into “one of the most modern gateways in Europe”, the company said.
The move comes against the backdrop of the UK Competition Commission’s proposal that BAA should sell Edinburgh Airport in Scotland, as well as Gatwick and Stansted in England, following its investigation into BAA’s ownership of seven UK airports.
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The £40 million expansion of Edinburgh Airport (see graphics) will result in a broader commercial offer |
The £40 million plan for Edinburgh’s expansion would be just the first phase of a five-year plan to invest £100 million in the airport, BAA added.
In this initial phase passenger capacity would increase to 13 million passengers a year. In the past decade passenger numbers at Edinburgh Airport have doubled, rising from 4.5 million in 1998 to almost 9 million in 2008.
Growth has tailed off in recent months as a result of the current economic downturn, but airport Managing Director Gordon Dewar said Edinburgh Airport must look to the long term and plan for the future.
“This BAA investment is a significant vote of confidence in Edinburgh Airport,” Dewar said. “It will help stimulate the local economy and create or support hundreds of jobs at what is obviously a difficult time for the airline industry and for the wider economy.
“Edinburgh Airport is an economic asset of national importance, sustaining our vital tourist industry and supporting many thousands of jobs across the capital, and across Scotland.
“Although Edinburgh Airport is not immune to the short-term economic pressures affecting the travel industry, we must look to the long term and build for the future. A successful, ambitious airport is good for Edinburgh and good for Scotland.”
He added: “The terminal at Edinburgh Airport is now at capacity, so we face a choice – we either develop the airport in a responsible, sustainable manner, or risk Edinburgh falling behind other European cities by allowing our competitors airports to take the lead.
“This investment will create a modern, well-equipped terminal providing state-of-the-art security, more space to relax and a wider choice of bars, shops and restaurants for our passengers. More importantly it will ensure that when the economy recovers, as it will, Scotland’s busiest airport is well placed to compete with Europe’s biggest and best airports.”
BAA’s investment in Edinburgh Airport was welcomed by the City Council and local tourism chiefs.
Councillor Jenny Dawe, Leader of Edinburgh City Council, said: “Edinburgh airport is the busiest in Scotland and this planned investment is vital for the future growth of the city and its long-term economic future. Scotland is a growing nation and needs investment in infrastructure to ensure that we continue to thrive and remain competitive in the global marketplace and we must compete against many regions which benefit from better connectivity and shorter distances.”
The 5,000sq m extension has been designed by Archial Group and will be built by Balfour Beatty.
The development will take two years to complete because of the complexity of building in a live airside environment, said BAA. The project will be delivered in a phased basis to keep the main departure lounge open and ensure sufficient access to departure gates.
About Edinburgh Airport
Opened in 1977, Edinburgh Airport is today Scotland’s busiest airport and serves more than 110 destinations worldwide. This year more than a dozen new services have been confirmed, including new flights to Italy, Spain, Croatia, Germany, France and Malta. In the past decade passenger numbers at Edinburgh have doubled, rising from 4.5 million in 1998 to almost 9 million in 2008.
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Competition Commission calls for BAA to sell Edinburgh, Gatwick and Stansted airports – 17/12/08
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