London City Airport Unveiled Renovation Plans to Its Departure Area

London City Airport unveiled a significant investment in renovating its departures area to improve the passenger experience. Despite not having airline lounges, London City is one of London’s busiest airports, which is sometimes more crucial at a given time.

Along with SSP, Lagardère Travel Shop, and WHSmith, the airport has begun work on a £12 million makeover that will add extra seats, two new dining options, expanded duty-free, new retail space, additional restrooms, and a fresh new look and feel across the departure lounge.

To minimize any inconvenience to travelers using the airport, the renovation, which is scheduled to be finished by the summer of 2023, will be carried out in stages, with new food and beverage and retail establishments opening before existing ones close.

Aelia Duty-Free Store, which to be opened by Lagardère Travel Retail, will have a “It’s London” boutique selling the greatest products from regional distilleries and producers. The selection will fluctuate periodically. There will be new high-end brands like Creed and Aesop available. The “Champagne Cave,” which will provide a wide variety of champagne along with locally brewed beers, is something that will probably be of interest to many TLFL readers.

With the creation of a new area in front of a new 200 m2 flagship WHSmith store in Autumn 2022, the upgrade will increase seating by 30% (950 in total), and this store will sell a variety of goods including books and magazines, health and beauty products, souvenirs, digital accessories, and food and drink options.

The “Juniper” restaurant, which will provide patrons a higher level of service from a new bar area and full-service kitchen, as well as an overall increase of 80 seats, will take the place of the airport’s “City Bar & Grill” in the spring of 2023.

A new restaurant brand, with a fresh menu, better service, and an overall increase of 20 covers, will take the place of the “Cabin Bar.” There is already a new restaurant called “Soul & Grain” with vegan and vegetarian alternatives.

The airport is also expanding the size of the restrooms right after security and renovating those in international arrivals, as well as adding a new facility to its west pier.

London City Airport Chief Executive Officer, Robert Sinclair, said: “Whilst Covid has postponed our plans to build an entirely new terminal building, it has not diminished our ambition to invest in providing a London centric experience we know passengers want, and have been waiting for.

“Our recovery in 2022 has been strong, and we and our partners want to be ready to deliver an even better service in 2023, for even more passengers.