Work begins on multi-million pound extension at Scotland’s busiest airport

OUT FOR CONSULTATION: Edinburgh serves around 13.5 million passengers a year

The three-storey extension is the start of an £80 million investment plan to help Edinburgh Airport deal with fast-rising footfall.

Its terminal building will stretch out from the existing gate 12 area, covering the old east end service yard out to the Gogar Burn.

Work is expected to finish by summer 2018 and will include the extension of the South East Pier to create new boarding gates and seating areas.

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 our domestic reclaim hall, enabling the expansion of our baggage hall into the current domestic reclaim area.
• New retail opportunities, food and beverage options, toilets, lettable property and office space, VIP lounges, and retail storage.e
• Six new gates, gate seating areas and connectivity via a series of fixed links, stair nodes and air bridges to the new stands.

Chief Operating Officer Adrian Witherow said: “This is a major investment for the capital and Scotland and further establishes Edinburgh Airport as one of the most innovative and forward thinking airports in the UK.

“We are Scotland’s busiest airport and demand is only going to grow with record numbers of passengers we expect to see passing through the terminal.

“There have been times this summer where we’ve experienced busy periods that have impacted on our service and 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 and we will continue to invest in that, creating more jobs, supporting the economy and opening up Scotland to the world.” 

The expansion is part of the airport’s £220m capital investment programme to support growth and maintain operational standards over the next five years.