London Stansted Airport has opened phase one of its new terminal extension as part of an ongoing focus on passenger facilities.
The extension covers nearly 6,000 square metres of space, providing additional waiting areas for passengers as well as a sixth baggage reclaim belt and extra facilities for immigration control.
Airport regulator BAA has said ongoing expansion work to the facility will be completed by December, when a raft of new shops and more comfortable waiting areas will also be unveiled.
Commenting on the opening of the first phase, Stansted spokesman Nick Barton praised construction workers for delivering the project on time, adding that it is essential to the future growth of the airport.
“At peak times we can expect more than 3,300 arriving passengers an hour through the terminal, so this new extension is all about us continuing to provide the best possible facilities for passengers,” he explained. “This means meeting the travel demands of today as well as planning ahead.”
Passenger numbers at Stansted are predicted to rise to 35 million by 2015, and BAA chief executive Colin Matthews last week said that improving customer service is now the airport’s top priority.
