The project aims to improve the organisation of airport facilities, enhance comfort and streamline passenger flows, bringing Bordeaux Airport into line with the standards set by Europe's leading airports by the end of 2029. The €140 million investment is being financed by the airport and a consortium of regional banks, without public funding.
The new building will provide a single access point to the departure lounges, improving passenger comfort and making journeys through the airport smoother by bringing together facilities that are currently located in separate areas.
Designed to be more intuitive and welcoming, the new spaces will make each stage of the departure process easier and improve the quality of the time passengers spend at the airport.
Before departure
After checking in at either Hall A or Hall B, passengers will pass through a single entrance leading to a security screening area of approximately 3,000 sq m. State-of-the-art equipment will simplify security checks: subject to applicable regulations, passengers will no longer need to remove their shoes or belts, or take laptops, tablets and liquids out of their bags. The new equipment will be introduced progressively.
While waiting for a flight
Approximately 5,000 sq m will be arranged around a light-filled central plaza overlooking the runways. Passengers will be able to relax before their flight, enjoy a meal, browse a wider selection of shops, make use of various services and prepare for the next stage of their journey in a comfortable, relaxed setting.
On arrival
The baggage reclaim areas in Halls A and B will be redesigned and brought together in a more clearly laid-out space, making it easier for passengers to move through the airport after landing and simplifying the final stage of their journey. These new facilities will also be introduced progressively.
New facilities will open at regular intervals, allowing passengers to benefit from improvements throughout the transformation programme.
The first visible change will come in summer 2027, with the new façade connecting the two existing halls.
In early 2028, a new departure route through Hall B will be introduced, featuring a redesigned check-in area with 10 additional check-in desks. The first lanes of the new, more efficient security screening facility will also come into service, while the baggage reclaim areas will be connected.
By summer 2029, the entire security screening facility serving both halls will be operational, along with the first shops and outlets in the central plaza. The central building will be completed by the end of 2029, when passengers and airport professionals will have access to the full range of new facilities.
Additional signage and dedicated passenger information tools will help travellers navigate the airport during this period.
Bordeaux Airport's transformation programme forms part of a sustainability strategy launched in 2022. The construction project will involve no additional soil sealing and is targeting an Excellent rating under the HQE Sustainable Building certification scheme (version 4.1) for both the design and construction phases. This voluntary certification process is subject to independent third-party verification.
Key features include:
“Bordeaux is a dynamic region with a strong identity, and its airport must reflect that. This is a modernisation project rather than simply an expansion. Our aim is to provide a better welcome for everyone who uses the airport on a daily basis, while offering our passengers more services and a smoother, more comfortable and stress-free travel experience,” says Simon Dreschel, Director of Bordeaux Airport.
