WORK has started on a new extension to Edinburgh Airport’s terminal building – the start of an £80 million investment plan to help the airport handle forecasted record number of passengers.
The three-story extension will stretch out from the existing gate 12 area, covering the old east end service yard out to the Gogar Burn.
The expansion is part of the airport’s £220m-plus capital investment programme to support growth and maintain operational standards over the next five years.
The expansion is due to be completed next summer and will see the south east pier extended to create six new boarding gates and air bridges to the new stands between Gates 13 and 14.
The extension is designed to support forecasted growth of up to 16.5million passengers in 2021 and beyond. It will provide extended immigration, customs and international reclaim facilities; a new home for the airport’s domestic reclaim hall, enabling the expansion of the baggage hall; and new shops, cafes, toilets, office space and lounges.
The airport’s chief executive, Gordon Dewar said: “There have been times this summer where we’ve experienced busy periods that have impacted on our service.
“This investment in new facilities will ensure we have the infrastructure needed to handle more passengers and provide them with a positive experience whether arriving or departing.
“As Scotland’s gateway to the world, it’s vital that we have first class infrastructure.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here