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The new-look Departures lounge will create space for more than 20 new commercial outlets |
UK. Belfast International Airport is investing £10 million in a major overhaul of the terminal, which will “transform the passenger experience” and create space for more than 20 new retail and food & beverage outlets.
Work begins now on the relocation of central security search in the Departures concourse, a move designed to speed up passengers’ journeys through the airport.
This will be followed by the construction of a new two-storey glazed facade at the front of the terminal which will house lifts, stairs and escalators to the Departures concourse. Then the airport plans to reconfigure the duty free area, creating space for an enhanced commercial zone.
The development is scheduled to be complete by summer 2010 and brings to over £35 million the amount invested in the airport in the last five years.
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We will be creating modern, spacious and service-focused facilities designed to make the airport easy and convenient to use,” says Belfast International Airport Managing Director John Doran |
Belfast International Airport Managing Director John Doran said: “Our exciting plans to improve the terminal building will transform Belfast International Airport. We will be creating modern, spacious and service-focused facilities designed to make the airport easy and convenient to use.”
He added: “The construction will not affect the day-to-day operations of the airport and we will be taking all the necessary steps to ensure that passengers are not unduly inconvenienced. We have carefully phased the work so that even during our busiest summer months, customers will not be adversely affected or delayed as a consequence.
“Those customers are coming from all over Ireland, as the airport has firmly established itself as the airport of choice for people living in the northern half of the island. Given the relative strength of the Euro and the extensive choice of routes on offer it’s not hard to see why they are coming. This new multi-million pound investment by Abertis Airports, our parent company, affirms our commitment to the people of the region.”
Antrim-based contractor Russell Simpson Construction is carrying out the construction work. Managing Director Russell Simpson said: “The Belfast International Airport Redevelopment project is an important addition to our growing portfolio of clients and we are delighted to be of service to the management of BIA, their stakeholders and the many visitors who frequent the airport during this contract.”
French group Aelia is the travel retail concessionaire at Belfast International Airport.
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