A £13million revamp at Aberdeen International Airport aims to deliver a bigger terminal and considerably more space for travellers.
AIA bosses said yesterday the biggest change in more than 35 years at the north-east gateway was about to get under way.
Passengers were promised new baggage carousels and more spacious departure lounges.
Congestion around the existing luggage reclaim areas has been a major source of frustration among flyers for years.
Business leaders welcomed the investment, saying it was a vote of confidence in the region and would help drive economic growth.
The improvements have been 20 months in the planning and will take three years to complete.
AIA’s management said they would totally alter the look and feel of the terminal, providing a larger lounge area, more modern and spacious security search and baggage reclaim facilities and new retail and catering opportunities.
The extra space in a currently cramped building will be created by the relocation of UK Border Agency accommodation and executive lounges into a new extension.
An AIA spokeswoman said a new two-storey building on the south side of the existing terminal would increase the overall footprint by about 25%.
Airport managing director Carol Benzie said: “Make no mistake; we understand the need that exists.
“This terminal was opened in 1977 and what we are about to embark upon is the biggest change since that time. It is a resounding show of support from our executive board and reflects their confidence in the growing Aberdeen market.
“While work has already begun to enable this project to start, the bulk of work on site will be visible from the third quarter of 2014.”
She added: “Our business is growing. We are working on an ongoing basis to secure new routes, particularly leisure services, and to give our customers an airport that they can continue to be proud of.”
AIA operations director Roger Hunt said it would be a major challenge to completely redevelop the terminal without disrupting services but the work needed to be done.
He added: “It is clear to everyone that our business has out-grown the current terminal building and it would not withstand the growth we are predicting.”
Transport Minister Keith Brown said: “These are exciting times at Aberdeen International Airport and the plans to redevelop the terminal will only help to build on its success.
“It is great news for both passengers and staff, with the new facilities set to improve the entire airport experience from an upgrade of the security area and baggage belts to allowing more space for shops and restaurants.
“These plans mean the airport will continue to be an attractive option for travellers and airlines in the future.”
Donside SNP MSP Mark McDonald said: “This is great news not only for the business community in Aberdeen and the north-east of Scotland but also for the tourism industry in Scotland as a whole.
“The investment will bring a huge boost to the city by its completion in 2017 and will change the airport experience immensely for travellers, whilst bringing more passengers in and out of the city.”
Earlier this year, AIA’s bosses produced a masterplan which set out their investment ambitions to keep up with anticipated growth in passenger numbers.
It is expected more than 5million people a year will be using the terminal by 2040, compared with 3.4million in 2012.
Some £58million is due to be spent on improvements over the next 10 years, part of a £100million 30-year investment plan.
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