The extension will add eight more aircraft gates to the existing passenger building, which originally featured 11 gates connected by an elevated airbridge built by Mace in 2005.Reports Contract Journal
Set for completion in 2027, the new gates, positioned adjacent to the airport’s runways, will allow 7.5 million passengers to board and disembark directly from aircraft each year, eliminating the need for 12,000 bus journeys annually.
Contractor PJ Hegarty is currently carrying out enabling works ahead of Mace commencing the main construction phase.
Recent design revisions to the Pier 6 extension have led to a narrower building footprint, while the relocation of a service road has enabled the project to adopt a two-storey structure instead of three.
These refinements will result in a 40% reduction in embodied carbon by incorporating a hybrid steel and timber frame, optimizing ventilation systems to minimize ductwork and plant, and modifying finishes—further cutting carbon impact by 20%.
Nigel Cole, Managing Director, Infrastructure, Mace Construct, said: “Having built the original Pier 6 and link bridge, we know that working in a busy operating environment takes thorough planning and specialist experience, and this latest appointment sits alongside our existing projects within the baggage halls to provide new employment opportunities throughout the supply chain.
“This will include work experience placements, apprenticeships, and roles for local people not in education, employment or training.”
Cedric Laurier, Chief Technical Officer, London Gatwick said: “The partnership and experience from Mace will be invaluable. Our teams are already working side-by-side to deliver what we think is a cutting-edge design for an airport building in terms of embodied carbon savings.”
