Newcastle looks to expand airport terminal
The council is set to grant permission for a 7,500 sq ft, three-storey extension on its east terminal that will expand the arrivals baggage area and departure lounge, as it looks to accommodate a growing number of passengers.
The council noted that the “continuing improvement of Newcastle International Airport [is] a key economic growth driver in the region, and the principal international gateway and focus of regional transport.”
Investment in the airport is also included in the £14bn pipeline of opportunities in the North East, unveiled by Mayor Kim McGuinness recently.
Newcastle International Airport is run as a partnership between seven local authorities in the North East region and InfraBridge, with each having a 51% and 49% shareholding respectively of the company.
The seven councils involved are Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside, and Sunderland.
Located to the north of Newcastle and close to the Northumberland border, the airport has previously undergone a terminal extension. This extension will fit within the ‘infill gap’ that was created at this time.
The project will create an extra 23,000 sq ft of gross internal floorspace over the three stories, and will match the 17.5 metre height of the terminal.
A terminal capacity assessment was undertaken last year, and the airport identified the need for an extra baggage carousel in arrivals and more seating and refreshment areas in departures.
Planning documents note this is especially the case when larger aircraft, such as the Emirates, arrive during the early afternoon peak.
The ground floor level will be an extension to the baggage handling area, level one will provide more space in the luggage collection hall, and the second floor will have allow the airport to have more shops, restaurants, and seating space in the departure lounge.
