Bristol Airport has unveiled plans to address congestion in arrivals following a major overhaul of the security search area for departing passengers.
The £2.3m project will increase the number of passport control points from 10 to 17 when it opens next spring, including 10 of the latest ePassport gates which provide a safe, secure and speedy alternative to the conventional border control process.
As well as introducing new equipment, the work will enlarge the immigration hall, which will be redesigned to create what the airport called a more welcoming environment as well as streamlining the border process for passengers.
These improvements build on upgrades to other arrivals areas as part of the £24m west terminal extension, including enlarged meet-and-greet and baggage reclaim zones, and a new World Duty Free store for arriving passengers.
The new generation ePassport gates are faster, and can be used by passengers aged 12 years and over – the current ePassport gates at Bristol Airport are limited to over-18s.
A further £2.3m will be invested in a new reception centre and improvements to the Silver Zone car park – often the first experience of the airport for many passengers.
Airport CEO Robert Sinclair said: “Completion of the west terminal extension will enable us to turn our attention to the immigration area, where passengers can sometimes wait longer than we would like at the busiest times.
“By enlarging and reconfiguring this area and introducing the latest Border Force technology we aim to make arriving at Bristol Airport as fast and efficient as possible.”
