EXPANSION plans have been unveiled for Bournemouth Airport to handle the ‘far greater numbers of passengers’ forecast.
Bournemouth Airport has prepared a ‘programme of improvements’ comprising of terminal expansions and new buildings, and changes to car parking, taxiways, aircraft stands, immigration and baggage facilities.
Development is needed to ‘support growth in the passenger and freight operations at the airport’, the airport said.
Expectations in terms of passenger numbers for the current year (2024 – 25) are approximately 1.1 million, but this is forecast to increase to 1.5 to 1.55 million in the following year (2025 – 26) and then to 1.7 – 1.75 million in the year after (2026 – 27) as new operators Jet2 become established.
Bournemouth Airport will not have to seek planning permission for all of its proposed changes due to existing Permitted Development rights.
However, it has applied for permission for an expansion of the terminal building and transport interchange.
The works would involve a small extension to the south side of the departures building, a ‘more extensive’ expansion also on the south side accommodate outbound baggage, and infilling the land between the existing departures and arrivals buildings so that a single terminal facility is provided.
A reconfigured transport interchange area is also planned to the northeast of the arrivals building.
Bournemouth Airport is aiming to carry out these works ahead of summer 2026.
A planning statement prepared by Planning Prospects Ltd on behalf of the airport said the changes intend to ‘provide a better range of facilities’ so that passengers have a ‘safe and comfortable’ passage.
Other changes proposed at the airport include an expansion at the outbound baggage hall at the southern end of the departures building, and an expansion at the arrivals building, providing a new immigration hall.
In total an additional 814 sq m of accommodation will be provided through these two elements.
As stated in the planning statement, these new buildings are intended to ‘enable the airport more efficiently and effectively to handle summer 2025 traffic’ and ‘improve the passenger experience’.
A range of other projects are being progressed providing further surfaces for aircraft, parking and access, and fuelling facilities.
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