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Passengers travelling through Birmingham International Airport (BIA) this summer will be treated to an improved and refreshed Airport with the opening of the Departure Lounge in Terminal 1, enlarged security facilities and a redeveloped Immigration Hall.

BIA has spent over £30million on these developments since 2005 and now with the final phase of works on the Departure Lounge complete, draws the projects to a close. The Departure Lounge has been extended and re-developed creating over 4000 square metres of retail and catering facilities for passengers along with greatly enhanced passenger seating areas and facilities.

The Airport is proud to have the UK’s largest Airport Dixons Tax & Duty Free shop, Alpha Tax and Duty Free, Sunglass Hut, Claire’s Accessories, Tie Rack, Boots, WH Smith Books, Serendipity, World News, Impulse, Soft Shoe, and Travelex enabling passengers to make those last minute essential purchases or spoil themselves with some retail therapy. Catering facilities complement the wide array of shops with a new Italian restaurant, Pontis, Bar O8, Yates, Deli Sandwich Bar, Burger King and a new large Costa Coffee.

In order to cope with new legislation, BIA has widened and installed new scanner and search facilities in the security control area. This area has increased from 4 to 6 scanning machines to speed up passenger searches facilitating a hassle-free way for passengers to pass through the Airport.

The Immigration Hall, with its contemporary wood and stainless steel effect is a refreshing welcome to incoming tourists, business travellers and holidaymakers returning home. A new Iris Recognition Channel has been installed, enabling those previously registered, a speedy exit through the Airport once back on home land.

The official opening took place today and was unveiled by BIA’s Chairman, John Hudson, and Kay Heard. Kay, wife of the late Richard Heard Managing Director at BIA, opened the Departure Lounge in memory of Richard who was instrumental in the development of the Airport and its facilities and today was a fitting tribute to all of his hard work and commitment to the Airport.

Joe Kelly, Acting Managing Director said: “We are delighted with the results that you can see here today. Our staff and contractors have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the smooth running of the Airport whilst the development works have taken place and this opening today just shows the commitment from staff.

“These new developments mean that passengers travelling from BIA now have the convenience of over 50 retail and catering outlets to choose from.

“Richard worked on the development projects here at BIA from when he was in our Development Team through to his time as Managing Director, and we feel that today is a fitting tribute to the commitment and leadership that he gave to the Airport.”