European Airport Upgrades: What Travellers Will Notice

🎯 Key Takeaways

European Airport Updates — Summer 2026

London Gatwick — North Terminal expansion underway

Gatwick's North Terminal expansion project (adding roughly 25% more floor space) is in full swing. The landside check-in area is unaffected; construction impacts are mostly airside in the departure lounge where some retail and seating is temporarily reduced. Gates 100–120 are operational. Allow an extra 10 minutes for airside navigation if your gate is in the 100-series. Completion expected Q4 2027.

Eindhoven Airport — New terminal extension open

Eindhoven opened its new terminal extension in March 2026. Capacity has increased from 7 million to 9 million passengers annually. The new extension includes larger security hall, new boarding gates (E1–E8), and significantly expanded arrivals area. The car park situation has also improved — P2 short-stay now closer to the terminal entrance.

Lisbon Humberto Delgado — Delays, again

The long-planned new Lisbon airport at Montijo remains stalled in legal and environmental review. No new construction timeline has been confirmed. For summer 2026, Lisbon will operate above designed capacity — expect congestion at security and gates, particularly on Friday evenings and Sunday mornings.

Brussels Zaventem — New A-pier gates

Brussels has opened 6 new A-pier gates, handling primarily Schengen short-haul routes. This alleviates congestion that caused aircraft-on-ground delays last summer. TAP, Brussels Airlines, and Ryanair routes benefit most from the additional slots.

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