A new multimillion-pound departures lounge at George Best Belfast City Airport welcomed its first passengers on Sunday.
The facility, which is located on the first floor of the current terminal building above the old lounge, houses a range of shops, a restaurant, bar and coffee shop and is capable of handling 12,000 customers a day.
Its ahead-of-schedule completion marks the end of the first phase of a £6m revamp of the terminal.
The opening comes as work continues to increase capacity through the search facility in a bid to reduce queue lengths at peak times.
New conferencing facilities and the relocation and refurbishment of the existing business class lounges are also included in the renovation project.
Airport chief executive Brian Ambrose said project should be finished by next spring.
"From Sunday passengers will see a remarkable difference when departing the airport," he said
"This significant private investment will enhance the customer experience as we aim to stay ahead of the curve in accommodating increasing passenger numbers.
"When the works are completed in March 2010, Belfast will have an airport the city can be proud of and the envy of many other cities."
The terminal redevelopment is taking place as the Government continues to deliberate on proposals to extend the runway.
The plan is being opposed by some local residents who are concerned that noise pollution will increase.
The new departures area, which will incorporate World Duty Free and WH Smith shops, Bushmills Bar, Harvest Market restaurant and Lavazza Coffee, will create 20 jobs.
It was constructed by building contractor McLaughlin & Harvey.
The company's managing director, Philip Cheevers, said the redevelopment had given the building sector a much-needed boost.
"Projects such as Belfast City Airport have provided employment to the construction sector which is most welcome in the current economic climate," he said
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