Bournemouth Airport has opened a new arrivals and immigration hall as part of a major upgrade.
The facility has double the number of Border Force passport control desks and the floor space is triple the size compared to the previous arrivals area.
It forms part of a £17m package of works being delivered this year at the airport. Other projects already completed include a doubling of check-in desk capacity and an upgrade to the outbound baggage system.
An expanded baggage reclaim hall featuring new, larger carousels is also on track for completion before the end of this year.
Steve Gill, managing director of Bournemouth Airport, said: “The new arrivals hall marks another significant step in the transformation of Bournemouth Airport.
"It demonstrates our ongoing commitment to enhancing the passenger experience and investing in the future. These improvements are already making a tangible difference for our passengers, airlines and staff, creating a more efficient, welcoming and sustainable airport.”
The improvements are part of the first phase of an ongoing multi-million pound investment in the airport’s facilities to meet growing demand.
Future works include an extended terminal building and a new transport interchange, with improved access for buses, taxis, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Bournemouth Airport has also invested in a new crew and engineering support accommodation building for Jet2.com, which opened its new base at Bournemouth earlier this year.
Bournemouth Airport serves 48 destinations and was used by 1.1m passengers in the year to March, an all-time record.
The airport directly employs around 450 staff at peak season, and in total there are an estimated 1,275 jobs on the airport site, plus an extra 2,355 at the neighbouring Aviation Business Park, making it one of Dorset’s largest employment areas.
A further 230 direct jobs are forecast to be created at the airport through its ongoing investment programme.
