NEWCASTLE Airport is to open a £27m terminal extension for summer 2000 to cope with rapid expansion in passenger numbers.
The extended terminal will give the northeast airport 18 extra check-in desks, a new international departure area, airline lounges and additional shops and restaurants. This financial year, the airport will handle a record breaking 3m customers – up 13% on 1997/98 – but forecasts put its passenger numbers at around 5m by 2006.
Managing director Trevor Went said the expansion was vital to attract business passenger traffic.
Current destinations include Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris and Dusseldorf, but the airport is aiming to add other major European cities.
“The expansion is vital to the future of the region and to meet the demand of business,” said Went.
Work on the terminal extension will provide 2,000 jobs in the construction and services areas.
Newcastle Airport figures show traffic from charter flights is also fuelling growth at the airport, with summer 1999 bookings already showing levels higher than the national average.
Last year, 750,000 holidays were available from the airport, with 1.5m passengers taking charter flights – 20% up on 1997.