The inaugural flights have departed from a new modular structure at Geneva Airport designed by the RBI-T consortium of UK architect Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners (RSHP) and Switzerland’s Jacques Bugna.
Aile Est was originally built as a temporary structure in 1975, and can now accommodate 5,800 passengers an hour through its seven gates.
The new 40,000 sq m development minimises internal structural elements to offer passengers an unbroken view of the surrounding Jura mountains. Green features such as rooftop photovoltaic panels and rainwater collection will be used.
The terminal will serve non-Schengen flights from medium and long-haul carriers.
Graham Stirk, RSHP’s senior design partner, said: “Each engineering component is finely crafted, not unlike that of a beautiful Swiss watch. These simple elemental components are given further emphasis by using a spectrum of colours that provide clarity as well as a festive and memorable experience for all travellers.”
Douglas Paul, RSHP’s associate partner, added: “The site constraints resulted in a narrow floor plate for a jetty, less than 20m wide, in which every centimetre is made to work. There is no slack. The Aile Est is a Swiss watch with the cogs visible from all angles.”
