How England's airports have upgraded and revamped during the pandemic
While the pandemic has presented countless challenges for airports, many have made use of the downtime to upgrade their spaces to provide customers with the best experience in time for the expected boom. Gary Noakes reports
It’s not been the best of times to run an airport, but the absence of passengers during the pandemic has meant some major infrastructure projects have been accelerated, while others have taken the time to update security, border control, lounges and shopping experiences.
Projects undertaken range from a complete terminal revamp to new lounges, a train station and even the creation of solar farms. The latter is part of a drive by airports towards net-zero carbon for their non-aircraft emissions, with sustainability now a key issue throughout the sector.
Once passengers return in force, they should find an entirely different experience in many airports – hopefully one that will remind them of how much they missed the travel experience. Here are some of the latest updates for airports in England for agents to be aware of.
BIRMINGHAM
Birmingham airport will find itself busy this summer, with the Commonwealth Games beginning in the city in July. However, the pandemic halted the airport’s ambitious terminal extension plans just as building work began in spring 2020.
The £30 million building, part of a £500 million masterplan, was to include an extended departure lounge, mezzanine space and bigger check-in and security areas. It was part of a project aimed at catering for an extra five million passengers by 2030.
“We had literally just put shovels in the ground,” a spokeswoman says, adding that the project has not been cancelled. “We’re confident we will need to revisit it; we are looking at it at the moment.”
BRISTOL
Bristol used the pandemic to partner with easyJet to test a range of initiatives aimed at zero-emission ground operations. The six-month partnership, which began in September using two dedicated aircraft stands, resulted in a 97% drop in emissions. The hope is that successful initiatives can be extended across easyJet’s 150 airports.
Bristol plans to have net-zero ground and terminal operations by 2030, but meanwhile awaits the public inquiry into refusal of planning permission to expand from 10 to 12 million passengers. A decision is due in spring.
GATWICK
Gatwick’s South Terminal remains closed amid work to update its check-in area, but in the North Terminal, there are two new lounge options. EasyJet chose Gatwick to open its first airport lounge in October last year, in collaboration with No1 Lounges. One-, two- and three-hour packages are available, from £18.50pp, with advance bookings exclusively through Holiday Extras.
Plaza Premium’s new lounge is also in the North Terminal and marks the Hong Kong-based brand’s debut at the airport. The facility accommodates up to 190 people and opens from 6am to 5.30pm for bookings of two or three hours.
Work began in December on a major project at Gatwick to double the size of the airport’s rail station, which will alleviate overcrowding in the concourse by extending it above the track. Construction, which will take “until 2023”, will include widening platforms and increasing the number of escalators and lifts.
LEEDS BRADFORD
Leeds Bradford airport remains in limbo after plans for a £150 million terminal, approved by Leeds City Council in February 2021, were put on hold by the government amid protests about climate change. The airport had hoped to open the new building in 2023, replacing one built in 1965, together with a new Parkway rail station, linking the airport to Leeds, Harrogate and York, but awaits a decision.
Meanwhile, last year saw a multimillion-pound upgrade of baggage belt systems and a reconfiguring of Check In Hall B for Jet2.com, plus security lane upgrades. “Significant investment” was also made in the premium Yorkshire Lounge, with rates from £30pp.
Luton
Access to Luton airport has been an issue in the past, but it will become a lot easier for clients later this year with the opening of a light rail link from Luton Airport Parkway station.
Testing is currently under way and, when complete, the DART rail link will replace the existing bus service, with the journey to the terminal taking “a couple of minutes”. Access has already improved, as in May 2021, East Midlands Railway services began calling at Parkway twice an hour, connecting stations between Corby and St Pancras.
Meanwhile, a refurbished Aspire lounge awaits passengers, with prices starting from £20.99pp. Luton also claims an airport-first offer of portable mobile chargers that can be rented for the duration of a trip.
MANCHESTER
Manchester takes the prize for the most extensive revamp during the Covid-19 pandemic, when it continued its £1 billion transformation programme. This included the delayed opening of the Terminal Two extension last July after four years of work, with airlines including Jet.com and Tui now housed there.
The 81,000-square-metre extension now boasts 10 security lanes and an immigration area that is four times the size of the previous one. Terminal Two also has enlarged airside transfer facilities, including a direct link with Terminal Three. Two airport-run lounges, Escape and 1903, have also opened, both offering panoramic views.
They have a combined capacity of 400, with Escape rates from £24pp; and the 1903 experience, including bespoke daily menus and premium drinks, from £32pp. Fast Track security can be booked from £6pp, as well as Fast Track immigration, from £5pp.
NEWCASTLE
Newcastle airport boasts it was the first in the UK to introduce an electric transfer bus, a fleet of which will gradually replace diesel vehicles over 15 years.
The airport plans to be net-zero in non-aircraft operations by 2035 and, to this end, has sought planning permission for a solar farm capable of providing 100% of its electricity. Public consultation saw 98% positive feedback for the project.
TEESSIDE
The return of Teesside airport to local authority ownership in 2019 has seen £3 million spent on its first revamp in 15 years. Key to the redevelopment are two lounges: The Middleton, aimed at leisure travellers; and The Rockliffe Lounge, a partnership with Darlington’s Rockliffe Hall Hotel and aimed at business travellers.
At security, new state-of-the-art scanners mean liquids and electrical items no longer need to be removed from hand luggage, while airside, World Duty Free is back after an eight-year absence. In addition, The Bannatyne Group has opened an express spa offering 15- to 30-minute treatments and massages – perfect to recommend to clients who want to start their R&R before they take to the skies.
Construction is also under way on a landside sky bar and viewing platform, with work due to end in May.
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