George Best Belfast City Airport has launched a £15 million (€17m) upgrade project to improve the passenger experience at the airport. The major infrastructure investment includes and upgrade of the airport’s departure lounge, incorporating its retail, food & beverage offering.
Pictured as works begin on the £15m upgrade project at Belfast City Airport are: Michael Carroll, Project Manager at H&J Martin Fit Out; William Sproule, Fit Out Director at H&J Martin Fit Out; Chris Horner, Capital Projects and Engineering Manager at Belfast City Airport; and Jonny Rice, Capital Projects Engineer at Belfast City Airport.
H&J Martin Fit Out, a leading construction company, has been contracted to deliver the infrastructure upgrades. Work is now progressing and is on schedule on the first phase of the project which involves demolition works and preparation of areas for the new retail fit-out.
Upcoming works will include additional food & beverage outlets, new and enlarged toilet facilities in Departures, as well as more seating areas.
Announced earlier this year, the entire project will be contained within the current terminal building and will be completed by October 2018.
Chris Horner, Capital Projects and Engineering Manager at Belfast City Airport, commented: “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.
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.”
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 facilities 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.
Additionally, customer seating will be more than doubled, as will airside customer washroom facilities, which will also be fully refurbished.
