London-based architecture and design firm The Design Solution has been selected by Toulouse-Blagnac Airport in France to reconfigure the internal space of halls A and B within the terminal.
The current terminal layout splits passenger flows immediately after the landside boundary and this, allied to a change in floor level, has made the layout sub-optimal in terms of commercial opportunities. The design project will incorporate the relocation of a number of check-in desks in order to expand the potential for a more concentrated airside space, including the prospect of a major walk-through duty free shop.
Robbie Gill, director of the project for The Design Solution, said, “We are genuinely excited about this project at Toulouse-Blagnac as it is a classic example of consolidating passenger flows, changing landside-airside boundaries and altering operational aspects such as check-in and security areas in order to significantly transform the passenger experience and to drive a more effective commercial performance.
“We bring considerable experience from our work on a number of French regional airports such Nantes, Marseilles and the two terminals in Nice, and this, allied to our in-depth understanding of passenger needs and behavior, will further empower the quality of advice that we can deliver on this project.”
Karine Ducos, marketing, retail and advertising manager, Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, said, “The management team at Toulouse Airport is convinced that Robbie Gill and his team are the best experts we could appoint to translate the unique sense of place of Toulouse, creating the most efficient design solution and delivering an excellent passenger experience. We are delighted to be working with them and we strongly believe in their commercial principles for our new retail area.”
Aviation consultancy firm Airport Solutions will assist The Design Solution team by carrying out the business planning aspects of the project. Further support will also be provided by outdoor advertising consultancy Wildstone.