Bordeaux considers installing toilets

Bordeaux airport authorities admit that their new Billi terminal lacks the usual comfort air travellers expect.

Speaking after readers Pauline and David Laughton from Les Landes complained of discomfort when using the facility, passengers’ manager Laurence Ortiz wrote: "Halls A and B in our airport have provided a quality service that is greatly appreciated by passengers. With this in mind, Billi has, to a certain extent, broken away from the traditional levels of comfort you expect to find in most European airports."

He said the building, because it was designed for low-cost companies, was deliberately made with an "extremely simplified infrastructure", which allows for reduction of costs and taxes levied on the airlines.

This is reflected in Billi’s "industrial" design and in the fact there are no luggage trolleys and that passengers stand while waiting to board.

Mrs Laughton said: "It seems the airport is acknowledging the terminal is second-rate.

"We struggled to find a seat. People in the café were having to eat standing up: that is the only seating area, so everyone was sitting there, eating or not. There was no seating area once we were called through. There are no trolleys and no loos until you go to the duty-free area; there are none while waiting to check in." It would be "disgraceful" if there were no improvements, she said.
The airport has said further seats have been installed recently and they will "keep a watchful eye" on the situation.

The airport also told The Connexion that they are considering installing lavatories in the outer departures area. However, they have said facilities such as trolleys and lavatories are available in the main terminals.