George Best Belfast City Airport handled 2.6m passengers in 2017.

George Best Belfast City Airport has opened its doors to newly refurbished WHSmith and World Duty Free (WDF) units.

As reported, Northern Ireland’s single-runway airport is embarking on a £15m ($21m) infrastructure investment that includes a 30% increase in its retail space and major upgrade of the departure lounge – the first phase of which has now completed.

The combined retail units cover 552sq m of retail space and a fuller product offering in time for the peak summer season, with approximately 10,000 passengers set to pass through the terminal each day [click video below for a fly-through of the work].

WALKTHROUGH DESIGN

Joanne Deighan, Commercial Manager at Belfast City Airport, said: “The walkthrough design within World Duty Free allows our passengers to easily see the brands available as they move through the Departure Lounge and into WHSmith which overlooks the front of the airport.

“Later this summer we will complete upgrade works to the security area allowing departing passengers to be processed much more efficiently and towards the end of the year passengers will be able to take advantage of an improved food and beverage offering.”

Bare Minerals, Elemis and Smashbox join a fuller beauty lineup at the revamped WDF walkthrough store.

At the WDF store, newcomers Bare Minerals, Elemis and Smashbox join an enlarged merchandise range that already includes Benefit, Elizabeth Arden and Molton Brown.

“Not only have we enhanced our fragrance and beauty offering, but we also have an increased range of sunglasses with brands such as Michael Kors, Prada and Ralph Lauren, as well as a luxury section featuring items from Pandora and Swarovski,” added Ciara Hammill, WDF at Belfast City.

Meanwhile, the WHSmith store offers more food & beverage options, travel accessories, toiletries, magazines and books.

The new WHSmith store at Belfast City Airport now offers a greater selection of food and beverage items, travel accessories, magazines, books and mini toiletries under 100ml.

Ryan O’Hara from WHSmith in Belfast City Airport, added: “We have also increased our range of mini toiletry items under 100ml which are perfect for travelling and for the first time have introduced beauty items from Maybelline and Rimmel.

“The new store combines the previous two airside stores within the one unit making it a more seamless experience for passengers. Our team is really excited and we hope our customers will enjoy the new store as much as we do.”