THE final steps of a multi-million pound transformation at Bournemouth Airport have become a step closer to completion as passengers took their first steps through the new eco-friendly arrivals terminal on Thursday.

Holidaymakers arriving back from Palma on a Thomson flight were the first to step through the doors of the building – designed to be completely carbon-neutral.

The impressive new facility is part of a £45million redevelopment programme at the airport, with the whole project including landscaping due to be finished by the end of the summer – on time and on budget.

Two lucky passengers, Trish and Jerry Bamforth were picked by Thomson staff to officially open the new building.

Trish, 66, said: “We fly from here as often as we can. It’s more convenient than trekking up to Gatwick.

“The new building looks great and is an improvement on the other. I couldn’t believe it when they asked us to open it.”

Fellow holidaymakers Pete and Julia Hulbert, who were also on the flight along with their son, John, were also impressed with the facility, which cost around £3.5million.

Pete said: “The fact it is potentially carbon neutral has got to be a bonus. It looks good.”

Rob Goldsmith, managing director at Bournemouth Airport said: “We’re all delighted with our new arrivals building – it’s a big improvement on what we used up until now.

“And the fact that we understand this is the first carbon neutral terminal in Europe makes it even more impressive.

“We’ve already got a lot of green measures built into everything we are doing including using bio-diesel fuel for heating in departures.”

He added: “We’re not going to miss the so-called sheds. We can’t spread the sentimentality that far I’m afraid.”

Other redevelopment work has included the new departure lounge, resurfacing the complete length of the runway, doubling the size of the apron as well as installing new navigation and lighting aids.