Bournemouth Airport has gained planning approval for a major upgrade that will see the creation of a single extended terminal and a new transport interchange.
The £50 million investment, which is being delivered in phases, was approved by BCP Council’s eastern planning committee with an eight to one vote in favour.
The scheme will join the existing arrivals and departures buildings into one modernised terminal, with enhanced baggage, security, and passenger facilities. A reconfigured transport interchange will also provide better access for buses, taxis, cyclists, and pedestrians.
As part of the package, the airport will provide £511,000 towards a new bus service over five years linking the local area and £60,000 for a staff travel scheme to encourage sustainable and active travel. Shared electric Beryl bicycles and scooters will also be introduced.
The airport company have also agreed to provide a one-off sum of £5,000 which would cover 500 x 100-minute Beryl bundles that staff can apply for. Payable at £1,000 annually, for a period of 5 years, encouraging staff to use shared electric bikes and scooter.
The development is expected to create at least 230 direct jobs, with hundreds more supported in the wider economy.
The news comes as around 100 union staff plan to strike over a pay dispute.
Steve Gill, Managing Director of Bournemouth Airport, said the decision secures the airport’s role as a vital regional asset. “It allows us to invest in the facilities, services, and infrastructure needed to support growth sustainably, while providing a first-class experience for passengers.”
Bournemouth Airport currently employs around 450 staff and serves 48 destinations. In the year to March it recorded 1.1 million passengers, its highest figure on record.
The airport has approval to handle up to three million passengers annually under planning permissions granted in 2007 and 2010.
It is also one of Dorset’s largest employment sites, with the neighbouring 200-acre Aviation Business Park home to about 200 businesses that support more than 4,000 local jobs.
