Bordeaux Airport Monitoring Committee adopted a dual construction project today, for the building of a junction terminal between Halls A & B, and the refurbishment of the access roads, car parks and forecourt to accommodate the arrival of the tram at the airport. In the current climate of strong international growth, this project will place the customer at the heart of the airport’s dynamics, so that their passage will be as fluid and as comfortable as possible through an airport conforming to international standards. After investing in the low cost terminal billi, in 2010 and 2015, the Airport is now modernising Terminals A and B to accompany the growth of airline companies. This strategy has been collectively approved by the State, which is the majority shareholder, and local public shareholders. In addition to responding to passengers’ demands, the shareholders have now decided to consolidate the management of airline carriers in order to face rising competition from the TGV high-speed rail network in the coming years.
Reinforce its position
Bordeaux Airport has experienced strong growth over the last 8 years (+10% yearly average), gaining an extra 2.3 million passengers over that period.
Such progress is the result of a dynamic and innovative strategy directed principally towards low cost airlines, with the construction of the billi terminal in 2010. This terminal with simplified services was expanded in 2015. Sustaining this momentum means creating new growth drivers, particularly via Halls A and B, and equally diversification of product and service offers.
In a context of increased growth in world air traffic, the competitiveness of airline companies relies more on the advantages of the airport: its capacity to accompany airlines in their growth strategies, the implementation of new passenger service policies and a better control of operational costs. For the airport manager, this means dynamic adaptation of the airport’s infrastructures, an adapted fare policy and the highest standards and best offers in passenger service.
At the heart of this major project, Bordeaux Airport is clearly devoted to assisting HOP! Air France in its development in order to face growing competition from the TGV high- speed rail link to Paris, and also to reinforce the presence of international airline companies in the Aquitaine region.
Towards a new passenger experience
As of 2017, Bordeaux Airport is to launch a vast project consisting of 2 operations: overhauling access to the airport and its parking spaces, and the construction of an infrastructure of almost 12,000 m² (on 2 levels) which will relay the existing Hall A and Hall B.
Optimisation is also planned for 2019/2020 of the passenger itinerary from the airport entrance to the boarding gate:
•Reorganisation of the forecourt entrance to accommodate the tramline linking the airport to Bordeaux city centre, and the High Level Bus Service (BHNS) linking the airport to the rail network via Pessac Alouette train station.
•Upgrading of car parks near the terminals
•Simplification of the passenger itinerary
•Development of a better quality retail offer directed towards passengers’ comfort
•Centralisation of a single security checkpoint for passengers and cabin baggage in order to improve passenger flow and time spent at security checks.
Reorganise access and parking areas
2017 will therefore see the launch of the overhaul operation for access roads to the airport, the forecourt and the car parks with improved signposting. This operation is part of a global plan to overhaul access to the airport to accommodate the future arrival of the tramline.
The rapid rise in traffic has led to increased use of the car parks and occasional delays at the departure and arrival areas.
The reorganisation and renovation of the parking areas will enable a better distribution flow and improved reception for cars:
-A new P1car park next to the terminals with 330 spaces will be built in October 2017 to satisfy business passengers’ needs for direct access to the terminals.
-Car park P2, which is frequently saturated, will be redesigned and renovated and will benefit from new services, including dynamic management of available spaces: the entrance to the car park will also be relocated to improve arrival flow to the terminals.
-The capacity of certain parking areas, such as the passenger drop-off and pick-up zone, or the car rental park, will be increased.
-A quick drop-off area at the access ramps for Halls A and B will be created on the departures level.
-A covered parking area for two-wheel vehicles will be created.
Lastly, it must be pointed out that the renovations will take into account the conditions and comfort of pedestrian access to the terminals (passengers, taxis, public transport) in the context of the arrival of the tramline and the BHNS bus service.
All the above will be completed by the creation of a multimodal zone opposite Hall B, at the departures level. This will allow passengers to connect easily with bus and tram services in optimal conditions of comfort and safety.
The airport enters a new dimension
The bottom line of this project is to improve each passenger’s experience on arrival or departure from Bordeaux. In response to the growth in traffic and to the demands of carriers, Bordeaux Airport is enhancing its installations with the creation of an area which will simultaneously relay Hall A and Hall B towards a common zone for security checks, shops, and a new system for handling all hold baggage in one area. This project will require a redefinition of the existing buildings and the creation of a junction terminal of about 12,000 m².
This project is based on a centralised infrastructure formula which has already been successfully implemented in several European airports (London Gatwick, Helsinki…) and is currently being planned for several French airports.
The central position of the junction terminal ensures optimal durations of access to the boarding gates for the passengers of Halls A and B.
This improvement in the passenger itinerary will ensure better flow at security checks and will allow management of delays during peak hours more efficiently.
After the security filters, the passengers enter a shopping zone before reaching the departure lounges. Consumer habits in airports having changed over the last ten years, the passengers will also find vast waiting and relaxation areas, with views of the runways and retail outlets which correspond to their expectations. Catering services will also be expanded to enhance the passenger experience.
Optimal airport configuration in 2019/2020
These projects will be phased over 4 years.
Work on car parks P1 and P2 will start in summer 2016, with the aim of opening P1 in autumn 2016 and reorganising P2 in late 2017. The car park for car rental companies will be reconfigured in 2018. Finally, the forecourt should be operational for the arrival of the tramline planned for the end of 2019 by Bordeaux Metropole.
The call for tender phase regarding the new building will be launched early 2017, with a view to commencing construction one year later. Operations should be concomitant with the refurbishing of the external public areas late 2019/early 2020.
The airport authority is prepared consequently to invest around 40 million euros in these operations.
13/07/2016
