Airport ready for departure lounge arrival

Published on Thursday 18 June 2009 10:34

THE first phase of a £40 million project to extend the terminal building at Edinburgh Airport will open to the public in November, it was announced today.

Bosses said the new-look departure lounge, offering more shops, bars and restaurants, would be ready by the end of the year, with the entire project due to be completed by early 2011.

A new purpose-built search area, which will be the final stage of the project to be completed, will speed up security measures for passengers, the airport's owner said.

The news came as Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy was today set to tour the project, which owner BAA said had reached a "crucial milestone".

The 5,000 square metre development will eventually include a major expansion of the airport's departure lounge, as well as the new security search area, with capacity for 14 X-ray machines.

Around 200 jobs in the retail and construction sectors will be supported or created as a result of the development, BAA said.

The 40m project is the first phase of a planned 100m investment at Edinburgh Airport over the next five years.

Gordon Dewar, managing director of Edinburgh Airport, said: "This is a complex and challenging project, but we are delighted with the progress we are making. Passengers will be able to enjoy the new-look Edinburgh Airport within a matter of months.

"The transformation will be considerable, and will allow Edinburgh Airport to compete more effectively with other major European regional airports.

"Edinburgh Airport is a vital economic generator, not just for the Capital, but for the whole of Scotland. With connections to more than 100 destinations worldwide, and a growing number of international visitors to our airport, it is essential that we continue to invest in our airport and create a modern terminal that meets the aspirations of one of Europe's great capital cities."

Mr Murphy, who will today take part in a topping-out ceremony, added: "This significant development will not only create valuable new jobs but will increase the airport's competitiveness on a European and international scale.

"Our capital city is an increasingly attractive destination for business visitors and tourists alike, but it also serves as a key gateway to the rest of Scotland. This expansion will therefore deliver a vital economic boost to the whole country."

BAA is currently appealing a decision by the Competition Commission ordering the company to sell either Glasgow or Edinburgh Airport.

Opened in 1977, Edinburgh Airport today handles more than 8.8 million passengers, flying to more than 100 destinations worldwide, with passenger numbers doubling in the last ten years.