A FUTURISTIC new arrival terminal is taking shape at Bournemouth Airport.

Despite a turbulent time for the airport at Hurn over the past few months, owners Manchester Airport Group have pressed ahead with the latest phase of the £45million development project.

Work on the new terminal to replace the dilapidated and out-of-date existing building started at the end of August.

And hopes are high that this potentially carbon-neutral building will go some way towards assuring people that the airport does have a long-term future.

Producing 70 per cent less CO2 emissions than a traditional structure, the building will have solar panels covering the roof, which will hopefully provide enough green energy to make the building carbon neutral.

And while this cannot be accurately tested until the building is in use, the airport believes this could be the first building of its type in Europe.

With an underfloor heating system capable of providing both heating the cooling, the new building will also have north facing roof lights that ensure natural light without heat gain, with other energy efficient measures completing the building’s green initiatives.

Mr Goldsmith added: “I do think this demonstrates the commitment that Manchester Airport Group have to Bournemouth Airport.

“I’ve said it before but this is a tough time for the aviation industry, possibly the worst we have ever faced. But I do think people should be aware, that this is the situation worldwide.

“Of course this has been a difficult winter for us. But we never doubted that Ryanair would be back. That was never on the agenda as far as we were concerned.

“We would love to add more domestic and northern European flights to our schedule but we have to be realistic in the current climate. By next summer we hope to have all the work here done and are looking forward to promoting Bournemouth Airport’s transformation.”