Major UK airport reveals £400million renovation plans – including larger terminal and more restaurants

A MAJOR airport has revealed its multi-million renovation project that will make it a much better experience for holidaymakers.

Bristol Airport is to make huge changes over the next five years, with some of them already starting.

Bristol Airport has revealed plans of its five-year, £400million expansionCredit: Alamy

The main improvement will be a larger terminal, which will be 70 per cent largerCredit: Alamy

Other improvements include more restaurants, covered public transport walkways and larger loungesCredit: bristolairport

The main improvement will be increasing the terminal size, which will increase by 70 per cent.

It follows a record number of people travelling through the airport, welcoming 10million passengers in a 12-month period for the first time ever.

More restaurants and larger lounges will be part of the terminal expansion.

It also means a larger baggage reclaim area as well as immigration area.

Read more on airports

GET ON BOARD

Major airline's new boarding system stops the 'worst kind' of passengers

GROUNDED

Major airport cancels all flight departures - affecting hundreds of Brits

And next year, a new covered walkway will allow travellers to access the airport from the outside car parking and public transport area.

This follows the new development currently being built which includes a new multi-storey car park and larger bus terminal.

The entire project is set to cost £400million.

Bristol Airport CEO Dave Lees told the Bristol Post that all of the changes will mean an passengers have an "improved journey" when using the airport.

He added: "There will be a range of casual dining options including more restaurants as well as increasing the size of our lounges for those wanting a quieter location to relax [and ] also be substantially increasing the immigration area, baggage reclaim hall and the number of baggage reclaim units."

“These developments have already commenced with the biggest change to security in over a decade."

World's best airport is now in Europe - with cheap flights, record-breaking museums and 317 destinations

These developments included new security baggage and body scanners which were installed over the summer.

UK airports were given a summer deadline to install these new scanners as part of the lifting of liquid restrictions.

The government has since postponed this so travellers still have to follow the 100ml rule.

However, the improved tech means passengers can now leave their liquids and electronics in their bags.

The improvements will cost up to £400millionCredit: bristolairport

Mr Leeds added: “The enhancements we’re making will also be welcomed by international tourists who use the Airport to explore the west and South Wales, visiting attractions and attending events - all of which is vital to those working in the tourism and hospitality sectors."

Once the improvements are in full operation, the airport hopes to welcome up to 12million passenger a year.

Ryanair also launched new flights from Bristol Airport this summer.

The new routes included Copenhagen, Fuerteventura, Marrakech, Prague, Sofia and Tirana.

And easyJet launched new routes from Bristol this winter - Tromso, Agadir, and Istanbul.

Other airlines that operate from Bristol Airport include Jet2, TUI and Aer Lingus.

It's not the only UK airport undergoing a huge renovation.