London City Airport (LCY) says a £500m ($644m) investment into its new terminal will deliver ample space and opportunity to raise the travel retail experience.

A new departures lounge featuring more than double the provision of shops, restaurants and facilities is set to unveil by the time the new 51,000sq m terminal building completes in 2022.

Accompanying this will be a fresh arrivals hall, with additional café and retail options and check-in, security, baggage claim and gate lounge areas [scroll down for an image gallery].

RETAIL SPACE ‘TRIPLED’

Tim Ward, Head of Retail for London City Airport told TRBusiness: “The commercial floorspace will grow from 1,600sq m to 5,000sqm – approximately tripling the scope of the travel retail area. Work is ongoing to attract a stellar selection of brands that customers will love.”

City’s new terminal footprint is four times the size of the current facility, which measures 17,000sq m. This is also being reconfigured and modernised.

Combined, the new terminal will cover a total area of 68,000sq m and will be capable of handling an additional two million passengers per year.

Lagardère Travel Retail currently operates its Aelia Duty Free fascia at London City Airport.

Last month, City released concept images of the new terminal’s interior, courtesy of The Design Solution.

The design is influenced by the River Thames, from curving sightlines denoting the river’s flow to the terminal’s use of materials and colour palette.

A 21^st Century London theme is echoed through light features, art installations, graphic panel walls and furniture that celebrate London’s creative diversity.

Meanwhile, large format digital screens offer a backdrop for storytelling and the terminal’s expansive spaces provide opportunity to develop London talent, brands and events. The airport is currently seeking partnerships for these.

“The new terminal will be four times the size of the existing facility, which means we have a great opportunity to add new shops, restaurants, bars and experiences synonymous with 21^st Century London, and create a real sense of place that befits London’s most central airport,” said Ward.

The transformation at LCY began in 2017 and covers the new terminal facilities, eight new aircraft stands and a parallel taxiway.

Construction of the terminal facilities is taking place to the east and west of the existing building.

RECORD 2018 PAX

Situated in the capital’s historic Royal Docks, London City Airport reached a new passenger record of 4,800,190 (+6.4%) in 2018 – its highest ever.

Higher pax growth was linked to larger aircraft and higher load factors, the airport said in a statement.

Its most popular destinations for passengers were Amsterdam (621,803), Edinburgh (494,776) and Dublin (480,890).

“As we take forward a transformative £500 million development programme, which will be complete in 2022, London City Airport can play a much bigger role supporting this thriving international city, connecting London with established and emerging markets and serving a broader range of both leisure and business passengers,” added Robert Sinclair, CEO, London City Airport.

LCY is forecasting 5m pax in 2019.

All images courtesy of LCY