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£40m revamp for Edinburgh Airport
Airport operator BAA has unveiled plans for the £40m redevelopment of Edinburgh Airport's terminal building in a bid to turn it into one of the most modern facilities in Europe.
Designed by Archial Group, the revamp includes the airport's terminal extended by 5,000sq m (53,820sq ft) to incorporate new bars, shops and restaurants, as well as a new purpose-built security screening area and increased space to relax. The work will be carried out by Balfour Beatty, and will form the first phase of BAA's planned five-year, £100m investment in the airport, which first opened in 1977 and was used by nearly 9 million passengers last year.
Gordon Dewar, Edinburgh Airport's managing director, said: "This BAA investment is a significant vote of confidence in Edinburgh Airport. It will help stimulate the local economy and create or support hundreds of jobs at what is obviously a difficult time. "Although Edinburgh Airport is not immune to the short-term economic pressures affecting the travel industry, we must look to the long-term and build for the future. A successful, ambitious airport is good for Edinburgh and good for Scotland."
Barbara Smith, chair of Edinburgh Tourism Action Group (ETAG), added: "Edinburgh Airport is such a crucial part of Scottish tourism. It offers direct access to Edinburgh and everything that the city has to offer visitors around the world." Despite BAA's planned investment, the Spanish-owned operator still faces the prospect of having to sell Edinburgh Airport following a Competition Commission ruling in December, although a final ruling from the commission is still yet to be published.