Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTHA) will start using a completely renovated, innovative and sustainable departure hall from the beginning of December. The passengers will then walk straight ahead into the new building immediately after the security check. There is now much more space and daylight there. The number of gates in the renovated terminal has been expanded by three.
The old departure hall dates from 1970 and has, as it were, fused as a harmonious whole with the new building. The departure hall has a modern and peaceful appearance due to the use of wooden elements, both inside and outside on the terraces. Ten meters has been extended towards the platform. The strong elements of RTHA, which are positively appreciated by passengers, such as clarity, small scale, speed and convenience, have also been secured again with the commissioning of the new terminal.
Light on all sides
The new building, excluding the demolition and renovation of the old part, was built for about a year. Fifty years after the completion of the old terminal, the airport now has a more spacious and modern hall with lots of light from all sides thanks to the glass facades all along the building.
“The attractive and comfortable hall is sustainable due to the use of economical LED lighting and a state-of-the-art intelligent lighting system,” says Jan-Willem Perdon, director of Assets & Projects. Perdon is the client on behalf of the management of Rotterdam The Hague Airport: "In addition, environmentally friendly building materials have been used and the roof is covered with the environmentally friendly moss sedum for good insulation in summer and winter."
"An enormous challenge"
The brand-new central security filter (CSF), as the first phase of this project, was delivered and put into use in December 2019. The CSF is now located in the old part of the building where the previously relocated baggage hall used to be. This phase of this ambitious project has also been completed with the opening of the renovated Departure Hall.
“It was a huge challenge to renovate, rebuild and expand an existing building. While the operation should of course continue unhindered. This cost us all a lot of energy, but thanks to a constructive collaboration with Moen & Van Oosten architects, construction contractor VolkerWessels Bouw Schiphol and installer Engie, we finally got the job done and with a fantastic result ”.
In the first quarter of the new year, in collaboration with the commercial partners, work is still being done on the design of the new restaurant and the airport shop in the new part. These are expected to open in phases from spring.
Two roof terraces
As before, the building will have two roof terraces. One terrace can be reached via the restaurant above the check-in desks in the public area of the terminal. Goodbyes can say goodbye to family and friends from this terrace through a glass construction. In addition, departing and arriving planes are clearly visible through this panoramic terrace. The other terrace is only accessible to passengers who are in the new departure hall after the security check. The number of gates will go from eight to eleven. There is a separate section for passengers to “Non-Schengen” countries.
"Big step forward"
“We are very pleased with the commissioning of the renovated departure hall at our airport,” says general manager Ron Louwerse. “With this we take a big step forward in our innovation strategy and our sustainability roadmap. We continue to focus as a sustainable airport close to and focused on our region. The personal approach to our passengers remains number one for us. With this new building we can propagate that even better. ”
The official opening of this important first phase of the terminal renovation is expected to take place in April 2021 with the opening of the new restaurant and shop.
