£40m Expansion at Edinburgh airport creates 150 jobs

 

Originally published: 28/7/2010

John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, today (Wednesday) officially opened Edinburgh Airport’s new £40m departure lounge and security hall.

The new facilities, completely funded by BAA, will see approximately 150 new jobs created and continues an unprecedented period of investment in Scotland’s Capital airport and are the biggest single project in the airport’s 33 year history.

This investment will allow Edinburgh’s departure lounge and security hall to handle up to 13m passengers per year whilst improving the levels of quality and service that Edinburgh Airport users have come to expect. 

The expanded departure lounge boasts 12 new retailers, bringing the total to 20.  The facility has been in operation since late 2009 and includes a large new World Duty Free store, new restaurants, bars and cafes.

The new security hall provides more x-ray machines and a larger area for passengers to prepare for moving through security.  These measures, coupled with a number of other enhancements, will make the security experience for passengers at the airport far more efficient.

Outgoing Managing Director Gordon Dewar and his successor Kevin Brown, welcomed Mr Swinney with a tour of the new facilities.

Gordon Dewar said:  “We are committed to this ambitious investment programme.  Despite the current hardships our industry faces, I believe it is right to invest now in expanding the terminal building and improve facilities so our passengers enjoy the best possible experience, both when they depart and when they arrive.

"The fact this project has been delivered on time and on budget shows the hard work and professionalism of the team at the airport and Balfour Beatty who have been carrying out the work."

Kevin Brown, the new Managing Director of Edinburgh Airport, said: “We know that what  passengers really want is a broad choice of routes and excellent facilities through which to access them. 

“This development marks a new chapter in the development of Edinburgh Airport and gives us a fantastic paltform on which to deliver what our our airlines and passengers want.  I’m looking forward to meeting those challenges.”

John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth said: "Edinburgh Airport is a key economic asset for Scotland’s Capital and beyond. Whether it is for tourism, financial services or the growing life sciences sector, the airport is critical in connecting Edinburgh with the world, supporting jobs and driving economic growth. 

"This new investment demonstrates the ambition we share with Edinburgh airport to further strengthen Scotland’s international connections."

Edinburgh Airport is now the sixth largest airport in the UK, handling over 9 million passengers and 110,000 aircraft movements a year.

Over 40 airlines operate to and from the airport, serving over 110 domestic and international destinations. International passengers have increased dramatically at the airport, with a near trebling of international passenger numbers in the last ten years.

Despite the economic downturn, Edinburgh Airport has continued to attract new airlines and new direct routes. This year alone has seen the commencement of 20 new international destinations including Marrakesh, Barcelona and Gothenburg.

The whole redevelopment, which is being delivered via BAA's capital investment programme without the use of any public money, is due for final completion in early 2011.