Work has begun at George Best Belfast City Airport as part of a £15 million upgrade project to improve the passenger experience gets underway.
The investment includes an upgrade of the airport’s departure lounge, incorporating its retail, food and beverage offering.
Construction company H&J Martin Fit Out has been tasked with carrying out the building works on this project and phase one, which involves demolition works and preparation of areas for the new retail fit-out is already underway.
Upcoming works will include additional food and beverage outlets, new and enlarged bathroom facilities in Departures, as well as more seating areas.
The entire works will be contained within the current terminal building and are on schedule to be completed by October 2018.
“Continually enhancing the overall passenger journey for our passengers is a major objective for Belfast City Airport and our £15m investment programme will be a key factor in delivering on this commitment,” said Chris Horner, capital projects and engineering manager at Belfast City Airport. “H&J Martin Fit Out is carrying out the main elements of the refit to the highest possible specifications and we have been working closely with the team throughout.
“Completing the preparation of the existing areas for work to begin on the refurbishment of the retail areas is a significant milestone in the project and we look forward to work progressing further as the new terminal reconfiguration takes shape,” Horner continued.
The airport said the capital expenditure will further enrich and enhance the overall passenger journey through the airport.
There will be in excess of a 30% increase in retail space, with an expanded offering from World Duty Free and WH Smith. Food and beverage will be expanded by 25%, with broader choice for customers being introduced along with partner HMS Host, which operates existing facilities including the Bushmills Bar.
Customer seating will be more than doubled, as will airside customer bathroom facilities which will also be fully refurbished.
