With the revamp of the Departures Lounge on airside unveiled, Malta International Airport has completed its ambitious €25 million expansion and modernisation of the Gudja terminal.
The project, which took just under two years to realise, has seen the increase of the retail landside area by 164 per cent to 690 square metres; airside retail has increased by almost 49 per cent to 2,120 square metres. All the new space created has been leased on five- to seven-year terms.
By maximising on the potential of the terminal's public areas, MIA plc intends the airport to become a hive of retail and social activity for non-travelling visitors besides incoming and outgoing passengers.
"The retail areas around the main entrance, the Departures Lounge on landside and the Arrivals Lounge have been designed to also attract local patronage," Mario Psaila-Savona, MIA plc's head of non-aviation services told The Times Business. "There is a varied, balanced and attractive mix of retail offerings for leisure and convenience."
Behind the new façade - a fusion of modern architecture and traditional stonework - the area previously occupied by the central open seating space has been eliminated and roofed over to accommodate two crisp outlets: Malta's first Samsonite concept store and a shop-in-shop shared by Classic Jewellers and other local operators specialising in eyewear products. Further along is the new passenger security clearance area.
A wooden staircase past the sealed-off area, leads down to the food court at Level -1, which is also accessible from the car park entrance. The recent opening of the Burger King restaurant was followed by that of a KFC outlet and a Chinese/Indian/Turkish restaurant, while Fat Harry's, an Irish pub, sits in a corner of the food court, providing a stark contrast to the surroundings.
An Italian pizza and pasta outlet is also planned. Seating in the food court - which admittedly still requires some finishing touches like tweaks to the lighting and decor - accommodates around 400 diners. A new conference facility is also housed on this floor, offering versatile, equipped meeting spaces for corporate events.
The revamp of the landside Departures Lounge was completed some time ago to better accommodate a select range of retail propositions, including a larger newsagent's area - one of four Agenda Bookshops within the terminal - an accessories and gift shop, a cafeteria and internet cafe, and a Pick 'n' Mix.
At the other end of the ground floor, the landside Arrivals Lounge has been totally reinvented. The cafeteria has been replaced by "8 Till Late", a seven-day convenience store stocking everything from gifts to groceries and skincare to stationery and incorporates a florist and pharmacy. Car hire agency desks have been tidily lined up against the same façade while Connections Cafeteria has been relocated to the opposite side of the Welcomers Hall . It now covers 100 square metres, including an outdoor area overlooking the car park. Other outlets include Melita and Go stores and a Agenda Bookshop. Tour operator representative stands are to be moved closer to the coaches' car park for better accessibility.
21st Century KD Travel Agency has opened an office in conjunction with Lufthansa, DC Aviation, Eagle Associates Malta, and Egyptair now also operate from the terminal.
Frequent travellers will have witnessed the remarkable progress with which the airside Departures and non-Schengen lounges have been transformed since November.
The escalator leads outgoing travellers to the first floor. A wide pathway winds the way through to the lounge from leading international airport retailer Nuance Group's glamorous 670-square metre walk-through concept offering perfume, skincare and cosmetics, confectionary, tobacco, alcohol, and toys.
Nuance has also won a public tender for another 145 square metres for The Spirit of Malta, stocking traditional foods and liquors, favourite Maltese brands, souvenirs, books and handcrafts. Thanks to the redesign, the left-hand side of the lounge lines up all retail outlets uniformly for ample frontage. Outlets have been leased to toymaker Playmobil, Agenda Bookshop, Style Junkie fashionwear, Diamonds International, and Jet Set (a collection of designer brands).
Jet Express has extended its popular outdoor terrace to seat 200 patrons and its internal seating area to accommodate 120. Next door is the new French Connections store, past which is Bling-Bling costume jewellery and a sweets stand. The Corinthia Island Bar stands imposingly on the gates' side of the lounge. A Swarovski outlet is to open in the next few weeks.
Hard Rock Café has been extended to occupy 265 square metres with a seating area for 96 and a sales point for memorabilia. When it opened in 2003, it was the first Hard Rock Café to open in an airport terminal - it then occupied just 12 square metres selling merchandise.
A brand new VIP lounge is now housed discreetly behind the perfumeries section. With a welcoming decor in natural colours, soft furnishings and natural light, there is more space for travellers to relax, grab a bite from a larger selection, access the internet at the PC point, or even power up their laptops or charge their mobiles at several powerpoints throughout the lounge. There is also a sizable smoking area within the lounge.
At the other end of the lounge is the Non-Schengen Departures Lounge housing Cielo Venezia 1270 jewellers, a Swift tax and duty free shop, Bijoux Terner and Samsonite stores, a skincare and cosmetics corner, Agenda Bookshop and Coffee Republic cafeteria. A smokers' "glasshouse" is now available for use.
The Swift tax and duty free shop just before the escalator leading to baggage reclaim has been moved one floor down and now occupies space by the five conveyor belts. Maltatransfer.com has set up a presence here offering pre-booked transfer services to hotels.
Free Wifi is accessible throughout the terminal. A new company, Skyparks Ltd, now operates the extensive car park.
With works on the third phase of the airport taxiway upgrading programme completed just days ago, Malta International Airport is fulfilling its drive to be among the best terminals in the Mediterranean.
MIA plc's annual general meeting earlier this year heard how this year should see work finalised on the MIA's conference facilities, a 500-space extension to the car park, and the Lufthansa Technik's third hanger which is to generate significant increase in rental revenue.
The airport company said the extension project was directed towards diversifying revenue generation. It forecasts ending 2009 with a minus 5.5 per cent in passenger movements and expects summer seat capacity to top three million - an increase of 0.8 per cent over last summer and a return to 2007 numbers.