You probably find Bordeaux airport cold, dirty, uncomfortable… so much so that for two years, it has been one of the most hated in Europe by travelers. A survey by Google and German booking site Holidu. To change this, the airport company has just revealed what Bordeaux Mérignac will look like in 2028. Airport director Simon Dreschel admits: “We have no complexes on the subject, we have weaknesses and we are very lucid, so from now on, we have to invest, these are weaknesses that we can no longer correct with cosmetics.” The selected project will be that of a new building, a common hall between hall A and hall Bcentral to improving the quality of reception.
Bordeaux Airport
“It is a rationalization terminal explains Simon Dreschel, we have two baggage sorting systems, we make only one, we have two security posts, we make only one, but comfortable” The investment is colossal: 130 million euros for the central building and 250 million euros of investment over five years, for safety, security, quality of service and the purchase of new equipment. “This is the biggest investment that the airport company has ever made” confirms the airport director.
“The goal is to have 70% of the businesses after the checks”
11,000 square meters deconstructedmostly offices, to create a bright, spacious, pleasant space to live in. Check-in in halls A and B will not change, but there will be only one baggage sorting area, one security post before boarding. The organization of the shops will also be completely reversed. “For the moment, we have about 70% of the shops which are on the city side, before passing the controls, there, the objective is to have 70% rather on the airside” explains Marie France Espié, project manager for the airport buildings. Because obviously we buy more when you have peace of mind and we passed the checks.
The challenge for Simon Pallubicki, from the Elias architectural firm, is to make this area a typical Bordeaux and Gironde showcase: “There is this idea of creating a central square which is a way of recalling the Bordeaux squares which today bring urban life to Bordeaux.” The inspiration for the volumes and conviviality: the Parliament Square and the Saint-Pierre Square. The architect also thinks about finding local materials “rather than bringing them from China or elsewhere”
Laëtitia Heuveline
In terms of environmental impact, solar panels will be spread over more than 3,000 square meters of roofing. Materials will also be chosen for their low carbon footprint and to reduce energy consumption. Rainwater will be collected to cover 70% of the needs for cleaning and sanitationThe work planned between 2026 and 2028 will be carried out, according to management, without any closure of the airport.
