Birmingham Airport has started its program of development work that aims to the improve the passenger journey throughout the hub. The multi-million-pound project will include redeveloping the security processing area to provide more boarding card gates, a dedicated security preparation area and a refreshed waiting area with new flooring and lighting.
The airport is also developing its retail and catering offer, with the recent opening of The Factory restaurant and the arrival of Kurt Geiger to its airside shopping experience. Later this year, a new Bottega prosecco bar will open as well as Wrapchic, an Indian-inspired burrito and sandwich outlet.
David Winstanley, COO for Birmingham Airport, said, “This investment comes following record passenger growth and to ensure that we’re prepared for the coming summer period where the airport will welcome new long-haul services to New York, Boston and Toronto, as well as many new popular short-haul destinations.
“The service we give our customers is an absolute priority for us so we’re investing a great deal to improve the airport journey for them.”
Other new additions that are to be made as part of the program include new digital wayfinding and signage, a covered walkway to the terminal for those who choose to walk to the terminal from the free drop-off parking lot, and a new 178-guestroom Hilton Garden Inn hotel, which will open in the summer.
Additional staff are being recruited in key customer-facing areas, including terminal operations, customer relations and security officers. A jobs fair will be held at the airport on January 19, 2018.