VINCI Airports Launches £100 Million Investment to Transform Belfast International Airport

VINCI Airports Launches £100 Million Investment to Transform Belfast International Airport

(IN BRIEF) VINCI Airports has unveiled a £100 million, five-year investment plan for Belfast International Airport aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, passenger experience, and environmental performance. The initial phase involves constructing a state-of-the-art £25 million security building that will implement Standard 3 X-ray screening equipment, eliminating the need for passengers to remove liquids or electronics from their luggage. This facility will be operational by summer 2024. The plan also includes upgrades to existing facilities, expansion of the airside departure area, and improvements to shopping and catering options. Additionally, VINCI Airports will launch a 26 MWp solar farm on the airport site to reduce emissions.

(PRESS RELEASE) PARIS, 19-Oct-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — At Belfast International Airport, Nicolas Notebaert, CEO of VINCI Concessions and President of VINCI Airports, announced the launch of a £100 million five-year investment plan that will increase the airport’s operational efficiency, improve passenger experience and environmental performance.

Phase one of the program is currently underway, with the construction of a new security building adjacent to the current terminal building. This ultra-modern £25m facility will transform the passenger security experience by implementing the required Standard 3 Xray screening equipment, meaning passengers will no longer have to remove liquids or electronics from their luggage. The new building will be operational by Summer 2024.

VINCI Airports’ investment plan will also revamp existing facilities, improve airside departure area with additional departure gates and extra seating. Shopping offering will include new catering and retail outlets and the Border Force area will also be extended over the next five years.

These investments will improve operational efficiency and quality of service. They will support Belfast International Airport’s as a key gateway for passengers, as traffic is already beyond 4,5 million passengers since January (+ 22 % compared to 2022). The initiative will also have a direct positive impact for the entire region, creating an estimated 400 jobs with local construction firms for the duration of the build.

VINCI Airports has also announced the launch of a 26 MWp new solar farm on the airport site which will generate 22.4 MWh of electricity to be injected into the grid, and save 12,500 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. The farm will be developed, financed, built, and operated by VINCI Concessions’ photovoltaic subsidiary SunMind. This initiative forms part of VINCI Airports’ global environmental action plan, which aims to reach 50% emission reductions by 2030 and net zero by 2050 and to contribute to the decarbonization of the territories where it operates. A member of VINCI Airports network since 2018, Belfast International Airport has already decreased by 44 % its emissions (scope 1 and 2) by applying VINCI Airports’ environmental solutions.

Nicolas Notebaert, CEO of VINCI Concessions & President of VINCI Airports declared: “VINCI Airports’ investment will support Belfast international airport’s positive dynamic by strongly improving the passenger experience. The airport plays a pivotal role for aviation, tourism and the wider local economy. As a long-term partner, VINCI Airports is committed to sustainably develop the airport and increase its environmental performance”.

About VINCI Airports

The world’s leading private airport operator, VINCI Airports operates more than 70 airports in 13 countries. Thanks to its expertise as a global integrator, VINCI Airports develops, finances, builds and manages airports by providing its investment capacity and its know-how in optimizing operational performance, modernizing infrastructure and managing their operations and environmental transition. VINCI Airports is the first airport operator to have committed to an international environmental strategy in 2016, to achieve the goal of net zero emissions across its entire network by 2050.

Media Contacts:

Email: communication@vinci-concessions.com
Tel: 01 57 98 61 35

SOURCE: VINCI