IT has taken more than three years and cost almost £50m, but the transformation of Bournemouth Airport is now complete.

One of the biggest infrastructure projects in Dorset has seen the construction of a new departures terminal, a doubling in size of the apron area and improvements to the runway, radar, navigation and lighting systems and the road network.

The state-of-the-art arrivals facility is carbon neutral – the first of its kind in Europe – and the work – funded by owners the Manchester Airport Group (MAG) – has taken place during one of the toughest ever periods for the aviation and travel sector.

Some 200 VIP guests gathered in the brand new arrivals hall to mark the occasion yesterday.

The airport’s managing director, Rob Goldsmith, told guests: “Anybody who knows this airport will also know there has been a complete and utter transformation.

“Almost every aspect has been rebuilt or upgraded, not all of it obvious to the general public.”

He paid tribute to the MAG projects team, the designers, local business partners and airport staff for all their work on the redevelopment.

Charlie Cornish, chief executive of MAG, added: “We own four airports and they are all important to us.

“Everyone knows that passenger numbers have fallen all over the UK in the past three years, but it will come back.

“We need to encourage more airlines to come to Bournemouth to open up new routes and we need to encourage more local people to use them. The support of the local community is vital.”

Responding on behalf of local businesses, chief executive of the Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry Peter Scott added: “Too often we have hidden our light under a bushel.

“We have a huge vibrant business community and this airport is an integral part of our economy, both in terms of the airport itself and all those companies operating on the business parks.

“We are extremely grateful for the investment and confidence shown by MAG and we take our hats off to all those involved in this project.”