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CGI renderings of the new space at Gatwick Airport (above and below) |
UK. An 8,000sqm departures level is opening this month at Gatwick Airport’s North Terminal, representing the first phase of a £1 billion (US$1.5 billion) transformation programme.
The £36 million (US$54.5 million) project will see what the airport says is the world’s largest self-service bag drop zone start a phased launch from 20 October, with the opening of retail stores among the other new features. A two-week period of operational testing will take place prior to this date, with a one-month trial coming to an end on November 18.
One of the future developments in the investment programme will be a £21 million (US$31.8 million) departure lounge in the North Terminal which will include more retail and restaurant space.
The check-in hall will open in two phases between October 2015 and April 2016 – with an improved layout and more space on offer, increasing peak check-in capacity from 3,000 to 4,350 passengers per hour, according to the airport. It says a self-service bag drop system “significantly shortens” queuing times, meaning the check-in process can be completed in less than two minutes.
Gatwick CEO Stewart Wingate said: “Gatwick has added eight million passengers since we came into private ownership in 2009, and we are about to reach the 40 million mark. This is a decade ahead of industry predictions and we will continue to grow. While we wait for a decision on building a new runway, we are investing billions to ensure we can grow from our existing infrastructure, but this will only take us so far.”
Other future developments as part of the North Terminal programme include: a new security area designed to give Gatwick the ability to process 5,000 passengers per hour; a refurbished arrivals area; replacement lifts and escalators; a reconfiguration of the Pier 5 facility; and the construction of a new Pier 1 offering new aircraft stands, gate rooms, lounge facilities, and bag storage.
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