Belfast airport to get £10m facelift

A £10m (€11.33m) redevelopment of Belfast International Airport aimed at speeding up the process of getting passengers from check-in to departure gate was announced today.

Construction on the major facelift is starting immediately and involves an update and improvement of facilities throughout the terminal which will be completed by summer 2010.

Airport managing director John Doran said the redesign would make the airport more user-friendly by easing the passenger flow as well as significantly improving the retail and catering facilities.

"Our exciting plans to improve the terminal building will transform Belfast International Airport (BIA). We will be creating modern, spacious and service-focused facilities designed to make the airport easy and convenient to use," he said.

The privately funded project will start with the relocation of the central security search area to the departures concourse, a move which airport bosses said was designed to cut down the queuing at security.

That will be followed by the construction of a new two-storey glazed facade at the front of the terminal which will accommodate lifts, stairs and escalators to reach the departures concourse followed by a reconfiguration of the duty free area, creating space for more than 20 retail, food and beverage outlets.

Mr Doran said the phased approach to the work meant minimum disruption for passengers who, he said, were increasingly coming from the northern counties of the Irish Republic.

"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," he said.

"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."

The airport had now 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," he added.

Mr Doran said it was important to note, given the current economic situation, not a single penny of the £10m was from the public purse.

Antrim-based contractor Russell Simpson Construction is carrying out the work and managing director Russell Simpson said it was "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".

First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness welcomed the investment.

Mr McGuinness said at the launch announcement: "This investment of £10m whist our economy is in a recession should be recognised as an investment for the future.

"It is a sure sign that Belfast International Airport is positioning itself to take full advantage of the opportunities that will arise when the local economy starts to grow again and prosperity improves."

Mr Robinson said the Executive remained determined that Northern Ireland was a region that could compete on the global stage and attract significant inward investment.

"The first consideration most investors have concerns the quality of our transport infrastructure," he said.

"Today's announcement coupled with redevelopment projects at two of our other local airports I believe puts us well ahead of our competitors."