Newcastle International Airport has given a progress update on its new international arrivals hall, which is on course to open ahead of this summer.
The multi-million pound investment in collaboration with UK Border Force will see the hall significantly expanded and improved, and includes five new ePassport gates.
The self-service machines use facial recognition technology to verify the user’s identity against data stored in the chip of their biometric passport. Passengers aged 12 or above and holding UK, EEA and Swiss passports will be able to use the new ePassport gates.
The extension to the passenger terminal will house 448 sq. m. of additional floor space for the immigration area, and 110 sq.m. of space at the departure gates, and has been constructed around normal day-to-day operations by County Durham-based firm, Esh Group.
“I’m delighted with how well work is progressing on our improved and expanded arrivals hall and can’t wait to unveil the space, as well as the brand new ePassport gates, to our customers,” said director of operations at Newcastle International Airport, Richard Knight.
He continued: “At Newcastle, we pride ourselves on our low queue times across the airport and with passenger numbers through the terminal increasing, this expansion will play a big role in ensuring we can help passengers head home following a wonderful trip, or experience all that the North East has to offer as a visitor, as speedily as possible.”
Cllr Iain Malcolm, leader of South Tyneside Council, and chair of LA7, said: “Passengers are at the heart of this investment. The expansion of the arrivals hall, which embraces the latest technology, will ensure that passengers continue to have a safe, efficient and enjoyable experience.
“It’s crucial that we enhance our facilities in line with growing passenger numbers so that Newcastle remains the number one international gateway of choice for people travelling to and from the North East.”
Work on the expansion began last year and is expected to finish in the spring, with the new arrivals hall and ePassport gates being completed in June 2018.
