Scotland’s Aberdeen International Airport has launched the first phase of its terminal transformation project with the opening of its new international arrivals facilities.
The new facilities offer arriving passengers 50% more space in international arrivals, with the new baggage reclaim belt being twice as long as the previous one. The full terminal transformation project is due to be completed by 2019, with this first phase of the project launching a month ahead of schedule.
The first international passengers arrived from Stavanger, Norway, and were able to use the airport’s new passport control and baggage reclaim facilities. The passengers were welcomed through customs by a traditional Scottish piper, before being met with a performance by a bagpipe band.
Carol Benzie, Aberdeen Airport’s managing director, said, “The launch of our new international arrivals facility marks the first stage of several years of planning, and it is so exciting for us to see those plans start to come into reality today. We were dedicated to delivering these new international facilities ahead of the peak summer season.”
The next stage of the transformation project to go live will see new Northern Lights Executive Lounge open on July 1. Passengers traveling from Aberdeen will then be able to enjoy panoramic views of the runway, local food and drink, and a feature-whisky wall in the new lounge on the first floor of the extension building.
This opening will be followed by the new domestic reclaim area and the customs facilities. This will make way for phase two of the transformation project to begin, with an enlarged and improved security area and new retail offers set to open before summer 2018.
The final phase involves realigning the airside and landside boundary, in addition to transforming and enhancing the catering and retail facilities.
