NORTHERN IRELAND. George Best Belfast City Airport has officially opened its new-look terminal facilities following a £15 million investment, with enhanced commercial activities central to the upgrade.
The departures lounge includes new retailers, expanded bars and restaurants, additional seating and a new security search area which has reduced average queuing times to six minutes. The World Duty Free and WH Smith departure stores have undergone a full renovation and combined retail space has increased by over +30%, as previously reported.
Belfast City Airport Commercial Manager Joanne Deighan commented: “We strive to constantly exceed customers’ expectations and put them at the heart of what we do by continually making improvements to our sales and services for the benefit of the end user.
“The upgrade of our departure lounge and retail offering will provide greater choice and significantly enhance the experience for our business and leisure passengers as they travel through the airport.
“We listened to passenger feedback throughout the refurbishment journey and are confident that Belfast City Airport is one that Northern Ireland can be truly proud of.”
Dufry Divisional CEO for UK and Central Europe Fred Creighton said: “We were delighted to have this opportunity to work in close partnership with our valued colleagues at Belfast City Airport and play our part in helping them create the exceptional customer experience they were seeking to deliver.
“Our new walk-through World Duty Free store occupies a new location and is a bigger retail space. It gives passengers a more prestigious shopping environment, along with some great new brands and an extensive product choice. We’re sure our customers will love this transformation of our store and of Belfast City Airport.”
WH Smith has two locations at Belfast City Airport, with one at check-in and one in the departure lounge.
Head of Business Development Lee Thompson said: “We are delighted to have opened a new store in such a prime location within Belfast City Airport. The new store offers customers a great selection of products for their journey, including a wide range of reading materials, food to go items and travel accessories.”
A key element of the commercial project was the addition of the Artisan, a bar and restaurant which champions local produce and Northern Irish suppliers. HMSHost International Director of Business Development Charlotte Christiansen said: “The Artisan is a combination of both the old and new with traditional design elements that hark back to Belfast’s industrial and ship building heritage. Our food & beverage offerings are influenced by the North of Ireland’s Artisan producers and local suppliers, also reflecting a modern Belfast’s vibrant restaurant culture.
“Belfast City Airport’s leadership is both imaginative and energetic; re-inventing together with their business partners, developing new concession formats in retail, food & beverage and other services. We have exceeded our expectations. We have seen an uplift in like-for-like sales, improved capture and a world-class food & beverage offer to exceed Belfast City Airport’s passenger expectations.”
Among the new retailers is lifestyle and gift store Born and Bred, an offshoot from popular store Studio Souk. It was named as one of the top five shopping places in Belfast by the New York Times. Owner Linzi Rooney said: “It is my goal to showcase our country’s talented makers and designers at Belfast City Airport. The Born and Bred brand has become synonymous with Northern Irish talent, forward thinking and alternative consumerism and proof that shopping local does not compromise quality or a competitive price.”
The commercial project work was carried out mainly by H&J Martin Fit Out. Director William Sproule said: “Our dedicated H&J Martin Fit Out team were thrilled to successfully complete the main elements of the refit works including the delivery of World Duty Free. Our collaborative approach ensured the successful delivery of the project, which will provide an enhanced passenger experience at the airport for many years to come.”