Airport News

Edinburgh Airport today (21 August) announced it will be investing £25m to expand its terminal building, as part of the airport's growth plans to provide passengers with more space and a new security area.

The 6000m2 facility will be built around a larger security area allowing passengers to move faster and more efficiently through that part of the airport. Edinburgh will also add new retail areas and an airline business centre to the terminal.

Edinburgh Airport chief executive, Gordon Dewar, said, “Our expansion is a significant mark of our intent to transform our customers' experience of Edinburgh Airport through high quality facilities, outstanding customer service and one of the best direct international route networks in Europe.”

The Board of Edinburgh Airport has committed to invest £150m in the airport over the next five years to ensure its facilities reflect the predicted growth in passenger numbers and to allow it to compete more on an international level. The £25m terminal expansion is the first major project in the investment plan and will create over 100 construction jobs throughout the build period.

Work will begin in October 2013, with the new security product operational by late 2014. The new retail space will follow in 2015.

“This investment is the first of a number of developments that will build Edinburgh Airport's profile around the world, helping us to compete more energetically with other UK airports and those in mainland Europe. Our experience this summer, with unprecedented numbers of passengers and airlines at Edinburgh, highlights our ongoing need to invest in facilities to meet growing demand and to do so without any taxpayer support,” Dewar added.

The extension will see the terminal move into the space currently occupied by the airport's coach park, moving the terminal access closer to the new tram stop. By moving the security area into this extension, space within the terminal will be freed for more passenger and retail spaces including the airport's first walk-through store.

Frank Ross, convenor of the Economy Committee, said, “Edinburgh is in a fiercely competitive global market and a growing, successful Edinburgh Airport is absolutely crucial for keeping us well-connected.

“While the city has weathered the recession very well, we need more capacity to continue attracting the tourists, students, investors and business visitors who help to create jobs for Edinburgh residents. From next summer, travellers will also have an attractive and efficient route straight to the heart of the capital thanks to the tram service with its stop close to the terminal building.”