There is good news for visitors to Valencia; the city’s new airport terminal, work on which started in April 2010, is now open for business.

Valencia’s T2 project is part of the Plan Levante, which was launched by the Ministry of Development via Aena to undertake a complete renovation and modernisation of airport facilities.

Apart from the impressive new T2 building, the expansion also includes improved parking facilities, a power plant, a new inspection system and baggage handling area, and a multi-service network.

The building itself includes a business area, several restaurants and a check-in hall with 21 desks, one for special baggage and an improved security control system. The reception area leads onto a network of four gates that will efficiently direct passengers on to their flights.

T2 also has a brand new arrivals hall with four luggage carousels and features a total build area of 26,600m2 spread over five floors.

In order to service this new wing efficiently, a four-storey car park has been constructed opposite the new terminal. Car rental companies can be found on the ground and first floors of the car parking area, which contains 1,689 new parking spaces, adding to the 1,899 spaces in the original terminal, bringing the total to over 3,500; much nearer the quantity that a busy airport like Valencia’s should have at its disposal.

The need for swift and secure baggage handling has also been taken into account, and T2 has been designed to process 2,000 bags per hour with the technology to undertake a complete inspection of each bag that passes through this very important area of the airport. With the need for total security a priority, this was a prime opportunity for improvements to areas such as access, baggage and processing, security screening, boarding, baggage reclaim and passport and customs control, which have all been updated and put through a rigorous series of tests.

The opening of the building was conducted without fuss and fanfare, but it will not be long before the benefits of Valencia’s brand new terminal are felt by this summer’s visitors.

Photos www.aena.es