Major UK airport reveals new £12million expansion ahead of plans to welcome millions more passengers

A MAJOR UK airport has revealed its new departure lounge, more retail shops and dining outlets after a £12 million make over.

London City Airport is set to receive more passengers after it underwent a major transformation in 2022.

With the expansion completed, the airport lounge features 950 seats, a new flagship WHSmith shop and plenty of charging outlets.

There are two new restaurants, a new cafe and bar, an expanded Aelia Duty Free Store, and refurbished Caffe Nero and Boots outlets.

The Chanel counter received a new upgrade, with the fragrance counter now stocking make up and skincare.

Meanwhile Dr Barbara Sturm products can be found in the airport.

Hungry flyers won't be left disappointed.

New bathrooms were built in the west pier, while the existing bathrooms were refurbished.

A new eatery called "Hithes" has opened. Named after the old English word for a "small port or harbour on a river", the eatery features black and white photographs of London's famous markets.

The menu draws inspiration from all the different neighbourhoods, including a Brick Lane chicken thali, a double-decker burger, fish and chips and jerk chicken.

Meanwhile a Juniper & Co has also opened in London City Airport.

The 80-cover bar and restaurant at London City Airport replaced the former City Bar and Grill in December 2023.

The menu here centres around sharing plates – from charcuterie and cheese boards served with delicious seed-packed crispbreads from Paul Rhodes bakery to Forman’s smoked salmon with capers and rye bread. 

Alison FitzGerald, CEO of London City Airport, explained that the team had “stripped everything back to really deliver what we think is a great customer experience”.

The unveiling of the completed departure lounge comes a week after the UK Government approved plans for the airport’s annual passenger cap to rise by 2.5 million by 2031.

The airport has also been granted the ability to fly three extra flights in the first half hour of operations during the week.

The decision overturns a blocked local-level decision, but maintains a ban on Saturday afternoon flights at the airport.

London City initially wanted to scrap that curfew, as it sought to expand annual capacity to 9 million passengers, up from 6.5 million, by 2031.

Currently flights cannot take off on Saturday afternoons from 12:30pm to 6:30pm local time.

While permission has been given for the expansion, the curfew will remain in place, following a review by the government.

London City Airport has said that it is pleased with the decision to increase the passenger cap but was disappointed the government had not approved extended Saturday operating hours.

The airport claims that the curfew will cause airlines to introduce cleaner and quieter aircraft more slowly at the site.