250 MEur pour l'aéroport de Bordeaux

The creation of a future “airport processor”, a new building at the junction of the two existing historic terminals, will transform the 8th largest French airport. Bordeaux-Mérignac will invest €250 million over the next 5 years, including €130 million to redevelop and expand its terminal.

Ce « processor ” is a large central building, designed by the architectural firm ENIA and the design office INGEROP, which will be inserted between the existing halls A and B. It will notably group together the screening inspection stations (PIF) as well as a large waiting area and shops, both of which will serve the two halls.

The selection of this project was ” rather easy ” explains the airport manager who highlights the search for a higher quality of service for the benefit of passengers. Note that the architectural agency ENIA has already recently signed the new terminal of Guadeloupe and that of Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso).

With this project, Bordeaux Mérignac airport will change its appearance while adapting the existing infrastructure. The entrances and exits of halls A and B will be maintained, as will the reception and check-in areas. But after this stage, the entire internal organization will be modified with the implementation of a single path to boarding.

The grouping of the PIFs of the two halls will be done with the creation of ten latest generation control lines that will occupy a total surface area of ​​3,000m2. The stated objective: to bring serenity to travelers (6.5 million in 2023) by streamlining the flow and providing space and light. Thanks to the use of latest generation control machines, passengers will no longer have to sort their belongings before placing them in bins. Once past these inspection points, the passenger will then enter a ” waiting and shopping area » of 5,000m2 which will be structured around a central square topped with a large glass roof.

« We are working on the new face of the airport and the quality of the traveler’s experience from their arrival by tram or car to their departure by plane, including check-in, security, shops, well-being and entertainment. “, announces Simon Dreschel, Chairman of the Board, when announcing this new structuring step for the future of Bordeaux airport. The platform, which should see 6.5 million travelers pass through in 2024, has in fact selected the group of companies responsible for the design of a new 21,000 m2 building that will serve as a junction between halls A and B by bringing together some of their functions: baggage delivery room (4,200 m2), baggage sorting (6,200 m2), control areas with six new lines (3,000 m2), offices and redesigned and expanded commercial spaces around a vast 5,000 m2 square.
The winner is composed of Enia Architectes, which has notably worked on the airports of Lille, Ouagadougou (Burkina Fao) and Pune (India), and the Ingérop design office, which is currently working on the 2nd express bus line in Bordeaux Métropole.
“Aiming for the best European standards”
This project will mobilize 130 million euros excluding tax by 2028, including 70 million euros for the building alone. A considerable investment considering the 90 million euros of annual revenue generated by the airport. The challenge is not so much to anticipate an increase in the number of travelers – since the return to 2019 traffic is not planned until 2027-2028 – as to improve the service offered to passengers and the management of flows. The building does not provide for new aircraft parking or new boarding lounges. The building will be able to handle additional traffic after 2028 but that is not the main subject.
“It should be seen as a processor that aims above all to improve waiting times, journeys and passenger comfort, says Bruno Navaro, the director of operationsThe objective is to raise the overall experience within the airport to the level of the best European standards while providing a strong local identity since we are a showcase for the territory. »
Demolition-reconstruction
Cet « significant and unprecedented investment ” will develop 9,000 m2 of footprint for 21,000 m2 of new spaces that will be built exclusively on the already built and artificialized surfaces of the airport. The project will thus result in the demolition-reconstruction of 11,000 m2 to extend and renovate them.
The future building, like the international pier inaugurated at the end of 2021, aims for the HQE (high environmental quality) label. excellent ” and is loaded with qualifiers: bright, flexible, innovative, bioclimatic, comfortable, etc. On the program: 3,000 m2 of solar panels on the roof, low-carbon materials such as wood, rainwater recovery and natural lighting. The on-site reuse of deconstructed materials is also planned. ” In total, we are aiming for energy consumption (gas and electricity) of less than 50 KWh/m2 compared to 200 to 250 KWh/m2 in the oldest buildings at the airport. “, assesses Jean Chadoutaud, the director of technical operations.
A reuse base for construction materials in Mérignac
The preparatory studies are to continue until 2026, when work will begin for two years without interruption to traffic. The new building is scheduled to enter service by the end of 2028.
And the Billi terminal?
Inaugurated in 2010 to accommodate the rise of low-cost airlines, the Billi terminal will not be connected to the future building and will still have to be accessed from outside. This somewhat rudimentary terminal will however benefit from a refresh next year: a departure area enlarged by 600 m2, new toilets, better air conditioning and a new café with a terrace.

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