London City Airport to Commence Phase Two of its Departure Lounge Refurbishments

A project to overhaul the departure lounge at London City Airport will commence in mid-December 2008. Due for completion in spring 2009, the £1.5 million project will complement the successful refurbishment and expansion work undertaken in early 2008.

The phased redevelopment of the departure lounge has been designed to establish an immediate sense of calm and relaxation, combined with the functionality expected by the airport’s core business traveller audience. Building contractor AA Lovegrove has been awarded the contract to complete the redevelopment, project managed by Atkins Design & Engineering Solutions.

Phase one of the departure lounge refurbishments included the extension and reconfiguration of the existing terminal space to incorporate some 250 additional passenger seats, an enhanced retail offering with WH Smith and Nuance, the new Bar Ten 28 and a lounge featuring high-speed internet points and live sports screens. Complimentary Wi-Fi access and laptop plug-in points were also introduced. The project was completed in May 2008.

The space in phase two of the refurbishment will utilise the same soft and warm materials including timber and polished limestone floors; marble surfaces and leather seating. The clean uncluttered lines and fresh, contemporary overall experience already in place in phase one have been well-received by passengers at London City Airport.

“This development forms part of London City Airport and its owner, Global Infrastructure Partners, long term commitment to our passengers,” said Richard Gooding OBE, Chief Executive of London City Airport. “Phase one was completed earlier this year to coincide with the launch of four new aircraft parking stands. That work, at a cost of some £40 million, has allowed us to significantly improve our operations on the airfield and introduce a unique rest and work space for passengers in the departure lounge. This second phase will confirm London City Airport’s status as the UKs foremost business travel airport.”

London City Airport is the UK’s most successful airport, recording a 23 per cent growth in 2007, compared to an average two per cent growth at all other airports across the country.