Bristol Airport is to build a £24m extension to its terminal featuring state-of-the-art technology aimed at streamlining passenger security checks and ending peak-time bottle necks.
The airport, the UK’s ninth largest and one of its fastest growing, is holding talks with security firms to install the industry’s most-advanced equipment to speed up queuing times for departures and arrivals. Last year the airport handled 6.3m passengers – a figure expected to grow to 10m within years.
Airport bosses said today the combination of more space and leading-edge technology will create a “world-class customer experience” for passengers.
The new 9,000 sq m building will be the biggest construction project at the airport since the current terminal building opened in 2000. It will also be around two-and-half times larger than the £8.5m east terminal extension which is due to open within weeks.
Since 2010, some £120m has been spent upgrading and extending the airport, owned by Canadian investment fund Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. The airport handles flights to 114 destinations across 30 countries – a route network that bosses hope to extend with the re-introduction of direct flights to the US and new services to the Middle East.
The current terminal building was designed before the rise of global terrorism and the 9/11 attacks transformed air travel and brought in the need for far more thorough security checks.
At the same time, the massive growth of low-cost, short-haul flights has resulted in a huge increase in passengers travelling just with hand luggage, which has also led to longer security clearances.
Construction of the west terminal extension will get underway as work ends on the east terminal building – allowing for a scheduled opening next summer.
When completed it will house 10 lanes in a central search area alongside two additional security channels in a dedicated fast-track zone.
An enlarged preparation area and significantly longer 21-metre lanes will enable more passengers to prepare for security checks simultaneously, reducing wait times and raising customer service standards.
It will also feature a larger baggage reclaim area, customs facilities, shops for arrival passengers and a meet-and-greet area.
Airport chief executive Robert Sinclair said: “Not only will the west terminal extension ease the congestion we are experiencing at times this summer as a result of high passenger volumes, it will create a more attractive and comfortable environment and help to remove some of the stress sometimes associated with air travel.
“This is going to give us a clear advantage over the competition by making it more attractive for airlines to fly from Bristol, and it is a significant step towards achieving our vision to provide passengers from the South West and Wales with a world-class customer experience when flying in and out of their local airport.”
Airport head of security Chris Ware added: “With this development we are responding to changes in security requirements, airline business models and passenger behaviour which have resulted in a greater quantity of hand baggage being carried through our central search area.
“The west terminal extension enables us to design new layout and processes tailored to meet this challenge but with the flexibility to adapt to evolving security needs without inconveniencing passengers.
“In combination with the introduction of innovative technology, some of which will be new to the UK market, the new facility will enable us to transform this vital part of the airport experience without compromising stringent compliance requirements.”
The new east terminal extension will create space for hundreds of additional seats in the departure lounge as well as introducing several new retail and restaurant brands to the airport. It will also house a second executive lounge and feature an outdoor terrace area with retractable roof.
Pictured: Computer-generated image of Bristol Airport’s new west extension 
