THE first look at a £100million upgrade of a major UK airport has been revealed.
Belfast International Airport has opened a new security hall, which is the latest phase of its multi-million pound upgrade.
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The security hall has been designed to accommodate future passenger growth at the airport.
This includes new scanning technology that allows passengers to travel without removing their liquids or electronics from their hand luggage.
There is also a new duty free area, which spans 1,600 square metres and features duty free, food and drink shops and travel essential shops.
A new forecourt is outside the front of the building too.
According to the BBC, one passenger said the transformation project has been a “long time coming” and that the airport “needed that upgrade.
“I think whenever international visitors came here it was a bit shabby looking and it was time for an upgrade but it’s looking really good.”
The airport’s chief executive Dan Owens shared that their goal was to “transform” passengers’ experiences.
The transformation project started over two years ago and will last five years in total.
Belfast International Airport is on track to surpass its 2024 success and experience another record-breaking year.
Plans to upgrade Northern Ireland‘s busiest airport were announced back in 2023.
Reports from the announcement noted that there will also be improved departure and border force areas.
The plan included revamping existing facilities and providing extra seating for travellers.
It was estimated that the project will contribute 400 jobs with local construction firms during the build.
In 2024, over 6.7 million passengers travelled through the airport, which was a 13 per cent increase compared with 2023 and the highest number in the airport’s history.
The majority of flights from the airport are operated by easyJet, which is Northern Ireland’s biggest airline.
In addition, TUI recently announced that it will operate a new direct flight from Belfast International to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, from next summer.
Belfast is also home to Britain’s cheapest airport carpark.
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