Small British Isles airport reveals upgrade plans with stunning new roof terrace and kids play area
A SMALL island airport has revealed its latest renovation plans.
Jersey Airport’s airport terminal is being revamped in the next few years
The Airport Masterplan, being conducted by Ports of Jersey, includes a more modern departures terminal.
This means better shopping, food and drinks on offer as well as better Fast Track options and self service options.
A new ‘rooftop terrace’ will turn the current space into a No.1 Lounge while a new dedicated kids play area will also open.
The company says: “We hope to create an ‘open to all’ roof terrace between the old and new terminal buildings, a fun play area for children, as well as a quieter area that will provide a calm environment for passengers seeking somewhere peaceful away from the hustle and bustle of the airport.
“We will create comfortable seating areas for passengers to relax in before they fly, including a space on the first floor with sea and runway views.”
“We are excited to develop an improved arrivals experience and welcome to Jersey for our passengers.
New body scanners and security machines have already been added in recent months, ahead of the scrapping of the 100ml liquid rules.
Despite this, some passengers have slammed the new lounge being added, as the area was previously free to visit.
Others said that there was no need for the lounge, being a smaller airport without a large number of passengers using it.
However, a Ports of Jersey spokesperson said they were to open “more space for passengers to view the airfield” in the upcoming renovations.
Brits wanting to fly to Jersey can currently from a number of airports including Birmingham, Liverpool and London Gatwick.
Taking around an hour, costing just £16 with easyJet to London Luton.
While you don’t need a passport to travel from the UK to Jersey, it is advised to take some form of identification.
The largest of the Channel Islands, Jersey was even named one of the top islands to visit.
It was named one of the world’s best islands in the Conde Nast Travellers‘ 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards.
And Visit Jersey said they were hoping to attract even more tourists next year, with some “exciting activities” planned for 2025.
Last year, around 527,000 tourists visited the island, although this is lower than pre-Covid figures of 770,000.
The Sun's Head of Travel visits Jersey
The Sun’s Caroline McGuire visited Jersey last year, and raved about the island.
If I told you there’s an island an hour’s flight from the UK, with a Caribbean-like coastline, that gets summer quicker than England and you don’t need a passport – you’d think I was pulling your leg.
But such a unicorn does exist in the English Channel: Jersey.
Jersey has many epic beaches, often next to free car parks and regularly featuring fabulous cafes serving both generous portions of food and cold beers.
The empty beaches are Instagram gold — as are those of the stunning Les Minquiers sandbanks and reef, which Seafaris also operates a trip to and is often likened to the Maldives.
Despite every person we met telling us tales of dolphin-spotting, we did not get so lucky, so we went in search of them on a wildlife RIB trip with Jersey Seafaris.
Within minutes, we’d spotted them — hunting for their lunch among the sand bars.
Another island getting new airports is Greenland, with three new ones opening.
And the Caribbean island of Barbuda has a new £10.8million airport.