A new bar and restaurant in Glasgow Airport’s departure lounge is set to create 70 new jobs when it opens later this year, with a further 30 jobs next summer.
What was previously the Sanderling Bar has been completely redesigned to become The Bird & Signet, with an expansion in floorplan to nearly 700 sq m, accommodating up to 500 customers.
A reconfiguration of the site means the bar and restaurant will wrap around the current Starbucks, providing passengers with two entry and exit points within the departure lounge.
Craig Norton, retail account manager for Glasgow Airport, said: “We are really pleased with how the Bird & Signet is looking and we can’t wait to welcome passengers when it opens in the coming weeks.
“The Sanderling was a mainstay at the airport for years and a favourite with passengers given its location just after World Duty Free in the departure lounge, but the transformation to the Bird & Signet is incredible and I’m confident visitors will love the new layout and surroundings.”
The venue’s décor takes inspiration from the city’s history and culture, with colour schemes drawn from the Glasgow Corporation buses and subway. The Bird & Signet also features 3D artwork inspired by the Glasgow Boys.
As well as a selection of beers, wines and spirits, the menu will also champion Scottish produce in dishes such as haggis cheeseburger, Ayrshire roast ham with fried eggs and Aberdeen Angus lasagne, while Scottish cheddar cheese and traditional Cranachan will feature in the dessert menu.
The Bird & Signet is expected to be open by the end of October.
Separately, Edinburgh Airport’s transatlantic connectivity will grow further next year as Delta Air Lines connects the capital to the US city of Atlanta.
The service will operate five times a week from 25 May to 4 September, connecting Scotland to the state of Georgia for summer 2023.
Atlanta serves as one of Delta’s main hub airports in the US, opening destinations such as: New Orleans, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Daytona Beach, Mexico City, Panama City and Tallahassee.
Delta has also confirmed it will expand its seasonal Edinburgh to Boston route to a daily service, operating from 8 May to 28 October. This is an increase on the current five times a week service.
Delta will also grow frequency of its New York JFK service.
Gordon Dewar, chief executive of Edinburgh Airport said: “This is a route we have worked towards for a number of years and it is incredibly pleasing to see that hard work come to fruition with this announcement.
“It’s fantastic to see another direct route from the capital to the US and this also opens up Scotland to Atlanta and the hub network it operates, expanding the internal and external reach that our country has and deserves.
“Delta’s decision to expand its overall offering from Edinburgh Airport shows great confidence in the Edinburgh market and its ability to provide for airline and passenger.”
Delta’s vice president Europe, Middle East, Africa and India Nicolas Ferri said: “Edinburgh is an important market for Delta and connecting the capital with Atlanta, our leading US hub will offer business and leisure travellers many important new travel options and convenient connections to destinations throughout the US, Latin America and the Caribbean.”
Minister for Transport Jenny Gilruth added: “This new Atlanta route is in addition to Delta’s successful direct routes to New York and Boston, and provides new connectivity for Scotland’s tourist industry and wider business sector.
“I congratulate Edinburgh Airport and Delta on this announcement and wish them every success with the service.”
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