£3 charge to improve Norwich International

Norwich International Airport is to get an £18 million cash injection which will be put towards improvements to the runway, check-in desks, shops and parking area.

From April 2nd, a £3 charge will be imposed on passengers flying to and from the airport and will be used to help pay for the development. Children aged between two and 15 using the airport will be charged just £1.

It is hoped that by making changes to certain areas, efficiency and aeroplane turn-around time will be greatly improved as well as customer comfort.

To make it easy for flyers to pay the charge, machines are being installed throughout Norwich International and passengers will have the option of paying by credit card or cash.

Airport operators say that the charge is imperative to improving the infrastructure of the building and making travel to and from the city more accessible.

It is thought that the money will be vital in years to come as the number of passengers using the building is steadily increasing.

Managing director Richard Jenner said: "Those extra passengers require more space and better facilities and that inevitably means more aircraft will be using the airport."

Mr Jenner predicts that this year around 800,000 people would head through the doors, up from 450,000 in 2004.

Planes fly from Norwich to dozens of destinations including Dublin, Cyprus, Croatia and Ibiza.