Construction company Mace has been appointed for the £140m ($181m) extension of Pier 6 at London Gatwick Airport in the UK.
The airport is gearing up to expand its infrastructure with the extension of this mid-airfield pier.
The project, scheduled for completion in 2027, is set to introduce eight new aircraft gates directly adjacent to the runways.
This development is expected to facilitate the direct boarding and alighting of seven and a half million passengers annually.
The new gates will not only enhance passenger convenience but also contribute to environmental sustainability by eliminating the need to transport more than 500,000 passengers to remote stands, reducing bus journeys by 12,000 each year.
Gatwick Airport has prioritised minimising its environmental impact, with the Pier 6 extension on course to achieve Excellent and Outstanding Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology (BREEAM) ratings for overall sustainability and energy and water efficiency, respectively.
Design optimisations have led to a narrower building footprint and a service road relocation, allowing for a two-storey structure instead of three.
Mace, which previously constructed the airport’s 197m airbridge and the original Pier 6 in 2005, will once again spearhead construction on the airfield.
The company has collaborated with professional services company WSP and Pascall & Watson for engineering and architectural design. Enabling works for the project are currently being undertaken by PJ Hegarty, an Irish construction company.
The extension is part of a broader programme aimed at developing and growing London Gatwick, which is poised to proceed with its Northern Runway plans following the UK government’s ‘minded to approve’ announcement.
Mace Construct Infrastructure managing director Nigel Cole said: “Using the latest sustainable construction techniques, this extension project will add much-needed capacity to London Gatwick and benefit not just the wider economy but also the local community.”
“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.”
Earlier this month, Mace was entrusted with the redevelopment of the Great Hall at Imperial College London, further cementing its role in significant construction projects across the UK.
