Work has begun on the construction of an extension to the South-East Pier of Edinburgh Airport which should be completed by the summer of next year.

The extension will see the creation of new boarding gates and seating areas between gates 13 and 14.Work has begun on the construction of an extension to the South-East Pier of Edinburgh Airport which should be completed by the summer of next year.

Passenger growth is anticipated to grow to 16.5 million passengers in 2021, so the new extension will provide:

• Extended immigration, customs and international reclaim facilities
• A new home for our domestic reclaim hall, enabling the expansion of our baggage hall into the current domestic reclaim area
• New retail opportunities, food and beverage options, toilets, lettable property and office space, VIP lounges, and retail storage
• 6 new gates, gate seating areas and connectivity via a series of fixed links, stair nodes and air bridges to the new stands

The current expansion is part of the airport’s £220m+ (US$284m) capital investment programme intended to support growth and maintain operational standards for the next five years.

Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport, said: “This is a major investment for the capital and Scotland and further establishes Edinburgh Airport as one of the most innovative and forward-thinking airports in the UK.“We are Scotland’s busiest airport and the fastest growing airport in the UK – and that demand is only going to grow with the record numbers of passengers we expect to see passing through the terminal.

“There have been times this summer where we’ve experienced busy periods that have impacted on our service and this investment in new facilities will ensure we have the infrastructure needed to handle more passengers and provide them with a positive experience whether arriving or departing.“As Scotland’s gateway to the world, it’s vital that we have first class infrastructure and we will continue to invest in that, creating more jobs, supporting the economy and opening up Scotland to the world.”