Aberdeen International Airport today, Tuesday June 19 2018, opened an upgraded Security Search area and Retail facilities in the latest phase of the multi-million pound Terminal Transformation project.
This phase includes an expanded retail offer, including a much larger World Duty Free store as well as Rolling Luggage, WH Smith and a separate WH Smith bookstore.
The updated Security Search area is equipped with the latest screening technology, allowing passengers to move through the airport quicker, improving the customer experience. The Security zone is more than double the size of the previous area and can facilitate a greater number of passengers at one time.
In the last twelve months, the airport has undergone significant improvements and has opened new International and Domestic reclaim arrival areas, as well as its award-winning Northern Lights Executive lounge.
The Security Search area has been relocated to pave the way for the third and final phase of the project which will see the departure lounge expanded and further new retail and catering outlets introduced.
Carol Benzie, managing director of Aberdeen International Airport, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to open our new Security area and the first set of new retail units that will form part of our expanded departure lounge. We are confident that the upgraded facilities will have a really positive impact on the passenger experience. Preparatory work has already started on the third and final phase of the Terminal Transformation. This last stage is the most complex, as it is in the heart of the terminal, with passengers transiting around the construction. We ask our regular passengers to bear with us as we move into this final exciting part of the transformation.
Phase Three will open in three stages over the course of the next 15 months, with the entire transformation anticipated to be complete by the end of August 2019.
Derek Mackay, cabinet secretary for finance and the constitution, who visited the airport today and was given a tour of the new facilities by Carol Benzie commented: “My congratulations to Aberdeen International Airport for having the vision and drive to invest in these facilities for the benefit of all passengers. The investment is clear evidence that the Airport, Aberdeen and the North-east have renewed confidence moving forwards.
“The changes will streamline the security process so people can move through the airport quicker and the new retail facilities will improve the experience further.
“Investing in this way will encourage more people to use the airport, providing an even stronger basis for attracting new routes in the future.”
A new Northern Lights themed ‘decompression’ zone has been created between Security search and World Duty Free to provide passengers with a calm environment to repack their belongings before proceeding into the departure lounge.
Commenting on the new World Duty Free store, Fred Creighton, Dufry’s divisional CEO for UK and Central Europe said: “With this new store development we have taken the airport shopping experience to an entirely new level for visitors to Aberdeen Airport.
“The store is more than twice the size of our previous one and we have been able to introduce a host of exciting new beauty brands including Urban Decay and By Terry and extend our sunglasses range, with the addition of brands such as Armani, Hugo Boss, Polaroid and Bloc. A highlight is our World of Whiskies shop situated within the new store, where customers will discover iconic local brands such as Glenfiddich, Balvenie, Old Pulteney, Macallan, Highland Park and Bowmore.
“Different drams can be sampled at the tasting bar and we have introduced interactive technology that enables customers to access more information about their favourite brands and even print bespoke, personalised labels for some of the brands we offer. We look forward to welcoming customers to this exciting new store.”