AN NORTH EAST airport unveils its new £1.7m plans to upgrade its executive passenger lounge.

Newcastle International Airport and executive lounge provider, Aspire, owned by Swissport International, have today (on Tuesday, October 10) unveiled plans to upgrade the Airport’s current executive lounge.

The work will be over six-months and is expected to be completed in early 2024.

When finished, passengers will see a fully refurbished and extended executive lounge facility for passengers to enjoy prior to boarding their aircraft.

Dean Ward, Director of Commercial at Newcastle International Airport, said: “We are thrilled to be able to share our plans for our brand new Aspire lounge. This development is testament to our longstanding, and collaborative, partnership with Aspire and we are very much looking forward to passengers experiencing the final product.

“As the North East’s largest Airport, we are committed to providing the best possible passenger experience and this development forms an important part of a multi-million-pound investment in the security search area and departure lounge food and beverage facilities ahead of the Summer 2024 season.”

The newly refurbished Executive Lounge, will also be able to accommodate over 100 additional passengers and will have three product tiers on offer: Aspire, Aspire Premium and Aspire Business.

Travellers will also experience-enhancing delicious food and beverage will be available across all product tiers as well as convenient charging facilities, high speed internet, digital newspapers and the latest magazines, plus HD television and flight screens.

Aspire Business will benefit from exclusive self-service food and beverage options and bespoke private and open working spaces targeted to the business traveler. Aspire Premium will launch a luxury fully hosted table service product akin to a high-end restaurant with freshly prepared meals and dedicated staff.

David Collyer, Aspire Lounge Director UK&I, said: ‘’We are delighted that Newcastle International Airport has again selected Aspire as it’s Lounge provider. Aspire is the UK’s and Europe’s largest airport lounge brand.

“With 34 years of airport hospitality experience we are constantly innovating to ensure we are at the forefront of guests needs, travel trends and digital innovation ensuring we can deliver against our brand promise of the ‘The Perfect Start’ for today’s travellers.”

The new lounge partnership with Newcastle International Airport will become the flagship for Aspire in the UK, and a world-class lounge, offering three tiers within one lounge for the first time creating an additional 17 long term jobs.