Bristol Airport’s £24m new west terminal extension is due to be officially opened by Transport Secretary Chris Grayling this afternoon as the airport prepares to handle more than 8m passengers next year.
The extension will transform the security search process for passengers as well as creating an enlarged baggage reclaim area, customs facilities, more retail space and a meet-and-greet area.
This year more than 7m passengers will have passed through the airport, which now serves 116 destinations across 30 countries – including 16 capital cities.
Planning permission is in place for further expansion to allow it to handle 10m passengers a year.
Nearly £150m has been invested in the airport, which is owned by Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, since 2010.
In October Mr Grayling described the government’s backing for a third runway at Heathrow Airport as “truly momentous”.
However, Bristol Airport’s chief executive Robert Sinclair has called on the government not to overlook the role played by regional airports in growing the UK’s economy.
Mr Grayling is due to unveil a plaque in the new west terminal this afternoon.
