Balfour Beatty is continuing its long-standing partnership with Edinburgh Airport through the c.£65 million South East Pier Expansion (SEPEX), building on more than 25 years of collaborative project delivery.  

The contract, which was awarded in May 2026 will see Balfour Beatty deliver the two-storey terminal expansion, providing eight additional departure gates and increasing airport capacity to support continued passenger growth. It’s part of the first phase of the largest capital investment programme in Edinburgh Airport’s history, with more than £500 million to be invested over the next five years.

Recent progress on the scheme saw Balfour Beatty successfully complete the installation of eight link bridges in a live airport environment, marking a significant milestone for the project and demonstrating the pace of construction.  

This latest project follows Balfour Beatty’s successful delivery of several key airport upgrades, expanding critical operational infrastructure and facilities. These individual projects include the £8 million Security Futures Project, which saw the installation of state-of-the-art security screening technology, vital baggage hall expansion, and modernised fire station upgrades. 

These projects demonstrate the strength of Balfour Beatty's relationship with Edinburgh Airport, which has seen the company deliver over £80 million of infrastructure improvements since 2010 including terminal and airfield improvements, runway and taxiway rehabilitation works, airfield operational upgrades and runway decommissioning work to enable future expansion. 

Nick Rowan, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty's business in Scotland, said: "As Scotland’s busiest airport, Edinburgh Airport plays a vital role in supporting the country's economy, international connectivity and future growth, and we are proud to be helping deliver the infrastructure needed for its next chapter. 

“Operating within highly regulated live airport environments requires specialist expertise, and our teams’ capability has enabled us to safely deliver complex infrastructure projects while maintaining operational continuity and minimising disruption for airport users.” 

Balfour Beatty's work at Edinburgh Airport forms part of its wider aviation portfolio, which spans terminal developments, security enhancement programmes and critical airport infrastructure projects across live airside and landside environments. The company maintains long-standing relationships with key aviation hubs in the UK, including Heathrow, Gatwick and Edinburgh, supported by Group-wide aviation expertise across the UK, the US and Hong Kong. 

The SEPEX programme is expected to complete in Summer 2027 and forms a key part of Edinburgh Airport's long-term growth strategy. At peak, the project will employ a workforce of over 300 including over 30 apprenticeship and graduates.