Latest news with #airportupgrade
The Sun
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
London Heathrow's new £10billion airport plans include fewer flight delays and massive central terminal makeover
LONDON Heathrow has revealed its latest multi-billion upgrade plans for the airport. Under a new five year plan for 2027 to 2031, Heathrow Airport will open a number of new lounges, shops and restaurants within the existing terminals. 3 3 For passengers this means there will be additional spaces equal to the size of 10 football pitches to explore. And the airport aims to lose less luggage, with 99 per cent of bags travelling with passengers. Flight delays may also be reduced with Heathrow setting out to have 80 per cent of its flights depart on time. In the airport passengers may have less wait times too, as the airport hopes to have 95 per cent of passengers waiting less than five minutes at security. Once complete, the airport hopes to be able to serve 10million additional passengers a year. Heathrow is also planning the redevelopment of the Central Terminal Area - which will involve demolishing Terminal 1, extending Terminal 2 and building a new southern road tunnel to improve access to the airport. According to the airport, Heathrow is the most punctual major airport in Europe this year. And as the airport continues to grow, it will also focus on becoming more sustainable by doing things such as providing noise insulation to 6,500 homes. The airport also aims to work with one million people in the local area with programmes developing skills by 2030. Heathrow's airport charge will also remain low. This fee is what airlines have to pay to use the airport - and the airlines then usually pass some of this cost onto passengers as part of ticket prices. With the airport charge remaining low, ticket prices will stay in line with this. Overall, Heathrow hopes these changes will help to get 95 per cent of passengers rating their journey as 'good' or 'excellent'. Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye said: "We're making good progress on our strategy to become an extraordinary airport – having become Europe's most punctual major airport so far this year." Heathrow Airport has also received a 'once-in-a-generation investment' that will see capacity increase in terminals. The plans include increasing the number of aircraft and flight routes. Proposals for a third runway are due to be submitted this summer too, following support from the chancellor. If plans are approved, Heathrow aims to have the third runway operational by 2035. Chancellor supports new runways at two UK airports CHANCELLOR Rachel Reeves has supported plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport and also backed the full-time use of a second runway at Gatwick Airport. Plans to introduce an additional runway at Heathrow Airport have been debated for decades. Back in June 2018, the UK Parliament voted in favour of introducing a third runway at the airport. The Court of Appeal ruled the government's approval unlawful in 2020 because it did not meet the country's commitments to climate change under the Paris Agreement. Later that year, the Supreme Court overturned the ruling, allowing the project to continue. Reeves' support is part of a wider plan to boost the country's economic growth by increasing airport capacity in the southeast of England. The Chancellor is also set to support the full-time use of a second runway at Gatwick Airport. At present, Gatwick uses its second runway to taxi aircraft and in emergency situations. Plans to bring the second runway into full-time use were submitted in 2023, with transport secretary Heidi Alexander due to make a decision on the plans. A new huge airport terminal is also set to open in Europe's best value country as part of £210million renovation. Plus, a first look at major UK airport's £1.3billion makeover with new modern terminal and first Wetherspoons. 3
Daily Mail
17-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
One of UK's busiest airports opens brand new £100 million terminal extension
Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) has announced the official opening of its new terminal building to the public. From Tuesday, 17 June, all passengers arriving and departing via the airport will get an exclusive first look at the upgraded terminal, as the opening marks the end of the £100 million project's first phase. Passengers will benefit from upgraded terminal facilities, all of which aim to enhance customer service and regional connectivity. This includes a new baggage reclaim area and an upgraded passport control facility with advanced security technology, designed to ensure a 'smoother and more secure journey.' The terminal also brings an impressive 83 per cent increase in seating, offering passengers more space, comfort and clear views of the runway. In addition, passengers will be provided with more variety and choice than ever as the expanded terminal brings in a broader range of food and drink offerings. For a touch of luxury, passengers can now access two premium lounges, including the all-new Six Eight One Premium Lounge, which offers seasonal menus featuring fresh, locally sourced produce, and a relaxing space to unwind before boarding. Work on Phase 2 of the project is already in motion, with a focus on refurbishing the existing terminal to further improve passenger experience and modernise existing terminal infrastructure. Throughout Phase 2, passengers should expect some changes when departing from the airport. Upon arrival at the terminal, passengers will notice scaffolding and hoardings at the front of the area, as well as a relocated Meet & Greet parking area, and new zones for bus pick-up and drop-off. A dedicated webpage on the LBA website will be regularly updated with information throughout the work and can be accessed here. Vincent Hodder, CEO, Leeds Bradford Airport said: 'We are delighted to see our new terminal extension open and operational today. 'It has been an incredible journey to get here, and we know our customers are going to get a completely new experience from LBA from today. 'It's an exciting time for us too; for our employees, stakeholders and business partners, the opening of this building is a huge achievement for all involved.' John Cunliffe, Commercial Director of Leeds Bradford Airport commented: 'Today is a huge milestone for Leeds Bradford Airport. 'Our new terminal is officially open and ready to welcome passengers, offering improve facilities and enabling us to deliver an enhanced experience for passengers in the region. 'As we transition into Phase 2 of the project, the changes will impact the usual passenger flows, and we'd like to thank passengers in advance for their understanding.' Meanwhile, in April, it was announced Luton Airport is set to double its capacity after the government granted permission for its expansion. The transport secretary, Heidi Alexander, overruled planning inspectors who recommended rejecting the expansion over environmental concerns. Luton's plans will see its existing terminal expanded and a whole new terminal built as well as new taxiways. The airport is hoping to double its annual passenger numbers to 32 million by 2043. Currently, about 16.7 million travellers use Luton Airport every year, which is the fourth largest airport in the London area.
The Sun
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
One of the world's cheapest holiday destinations reveals £1.5billion airport expansion with phoenix-shaped terminal
AN UNUSUAL bird-shaped terminal is opening as part of the a major £1.5billion airport upgrade on an affordable holiday island. The Phu Quoc International Airport, which serves a small island off the coast of Cambodia, is getting a billion pound upgrade - and it looks like a mythological phoenix. 5 5 The airport works will be carried out in two phases, with the first set to be complete by 2030. In the next five years, Phu Quoc International Airport should be able to accommodate up to 18 million passengers per year. This is over four times its current capacity of four million. By 2050, when the second phase is set to be complete, the airport is expected to handle up to 50 million passengers per year. According to Vietnam Plus, the first stage will cost 26.57 trillion VND (over £756million) and the second will be an additional 25.79 trillion VND (£750million). The airport is being designed by Singapore -based CPG Airport Consultants, and the unique shape of the terminal is intentional. It's inspired by a phoenix spreading its wings, symbolising "national pride and prestige", according to Vietnam Plus. In addition to the existing runway, a second runway will be constructed. The two runways will be over 3,000 metres each, and will mean that wider aircraft used for long-haul flights from Europe and the US will be able to land on the island. Inside, the designs for the terminal reveal a light and airy space. I left the UK & moved to the cheapest country in the world - rent is £432 a month, petrol AND lunch is £1 & beer is 40p 5 5 And it will be kitted out with a shopping centre as well as modern technology from remote check-in to automated baggage sorting, and biometric identification. With all of this, the entry and exit times are set to be reduced to 15–30 seconds per person. There will also be changes in the surrounding areas with major roads being built and expanded to accommodate for expected traffic. Last year, Vietnam was named as being the most affordable place to live in the world for the fourth year in a row, according to the Expat Insider survey. One Sun Travel writer travelled to Hoi An in Vietnam where he discovered bargain beers for as little as 30p. Phu Quoc is an island off the coast of the mainland and has been given two affectionate nicknames because of its natural beauty. The first being 'Pearl Island' because of its white sandy beaches, and 'the Venice of Vietnam' thanks to its narrow lanes and colourful shops fronts. In 2024, Phu Quoc was named the World's Leading Nature Island Destination by the World Travel Awards. And in July of 2024, the island was voted world's second most beautiful island by Travel+Leisure. Here's more on the exotic beach town crowned 'cheapest destination' for Brits. And one couple even upped sticks and decided to move to the destination.
The Sun
07-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
First look at £100million revamp of major UK airport with ‘much needed' upgrades
THE first look at a £100million upgrade of a major UK airport has been revealed. Belfast International Airport has opened a new security hall, which is the latest phase of its multi-million pound upgrade. 3 3 The security hall has been designed to accommodate future passenger growth at the airport. This includes new scanning technology that allows passengers to travel without removing their liquids or electronics from their hand luggage. There is also a new duty free area, which spans 1,600 square metres and features duty free, food and drink shops and travel essential shops. A new forecourt is outside the front of the building too. According to the BBC, one passenger said the transformation project has been a "long time coming" and that the airport "needed that upgrade. "I think whenever international visitors came here it was a bit shabby looking and it was time for an upgrade but it's looking really good." The airport's chief executive Dan Owens shared that their goal was to "transform" passengers' experiences. The transformation project started over two years ago and will last five years in total. Belfast International Airport is on track to surpass its 2024 success and experience another record-breaking year. Plans to upgrade Northern Ireland's busiest airport were announced back in 2023. The Sun's Travel Editor Lisa Minot shares her top tips when flying Reports from the announcement noted that there will also be improved departure and border force areas. The plan included revamping existing facilities and providing extra seating for travellers. It was estimated that the project will contribute 400 jobs with local construction firms during the build. In 2024, over 6.7 million passengers travelled through the airport, which was a 13 per cent increase compared with 2023 and the highest number in the airport's history. The majority of flights from the airport are operated by easyJet, which is Northern Ireland 's biggest airline. In addition, TUI recently announced that it will operate a new direct flight from Belfast International to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, from next summer. Belfast is also home to Britain's cheapest airport carpark. 3
