Further to David Laws' recent interview on BBC Radio York in which he mentioned a forthcoming terminal extension, I took the opportunity today to ask for an update on this.
The position is that LBA have set up what amounts to a Project Board to discuss and agree (with all stakeholders) what size the extension needs to be and what facilities it needs to have to provide for the current and the future. Architects will become involved shortly and obviously the design will then be drawn up, with submission to planning late this year and construction likely in Spring 2019.
It was confirmed that this extension would be at the Eastern end of the current terminal and will provide brand new passport control facilities and new baggage re-claim carousels etc. on one level with additional departure gates above. It will result in no further crossing over of departing and arriving passengers within the terminal and will resolve many of the issues that currently attract complaints and cause problems (ie: long walks, steps, escalators not working, lack of space, going up just to come back down, lack of toilet facilities for arriving pax etc.).
The plan at present is to be in a position to submit for planning approval later this year with a view to commencing construction hopefully in the Spring of 2019.
In case anyone was wondering, this extension will replace the previously approved infill extension in front of the terminal which is now viewed as not fit for purpose, because it provides more space but does not resolve the issues mentioned above. That plan will no longer go ahead, hence the current re-surfacing work outside the terminal and the confirmation today that in the autumn of this year, a covered walkway will at last be installed from the terminal front down to the pick up/drop off zone in order to provide some weather protection for those choosing to use that facility.