Birmingham airport has officially unveiled its One Terminal facility, the result of a £13 million project to merge the airport’s two existing terminals.
The new facility has been operational since February, but was officially inaugurated by the Secretary of State for Transport Philip Hammond today (May 13). Features include a larger, centralised passenger security search area, and enlarged arrivals and onward travel facilities.
The existing Duty Free store has also been doubled in size, and further brands including Superdry, Next and JD Sports will join the airport’s retail offering from July.
The merging of the terminals was undertaken in order to “improve [the airport’s] overall operational capabilities and the customer experience”, and is the latest phase of a £100 million redevelopment of the airport, including the construction of a new international pier, multi-storey car park and Air Traffic Control Tower.
A runway extension scheme, due for completion in 2014, will enable the airport to accept direct flights to China, South East Asia, the west coast of America and South Africa.
The exterior of the terminal building has also been given a facelift to incorporate the airport’s new identity (see online news November 4, 2010), with giant faces from different nationalities welcoming customers to the site.
For more information visit birminghamairport.co.uk.
Report by Mark Caswell