A £73 million extension to Gatwick’s North Terminal has officially opened which will give customer’s more freedom and control during the check in process.

The new building, measuring The 8,300 sq m, will house all BA flights from Gatwick, including services to Mauritius, which will commence from the terminal on 1 November.

Passengers with have access to self-service kiosks where they can check in and print their boarding cards or bag tags. There will also be ‘care desks’ for support and a dedicated customer service area for premium customers with staff on hand in case they are needed.

BA’s Gatwick managing director Silla Maizey said: “We know that many of our customers appreciate the opportunity to do more for themselves, like self-service check-in, choosing seats and printing their own boarding cards - and for the first time British Airways passengers will be able to print their own bag tags.

“We’re giving them the freedom to be in control, but with the knowledge that our customer service staff will be on hand if they need them.”

Airport chief executive Stewart Wingate said: “Our £1.2 billion investment programme to transform the airport experience for passengers, reducing queues and delivering a smoother check-in experience with more self-service options has been one of our key priorities.

“The new British Airways check-in area, which is part of our £73 million investment to extend the North Terminal arrivals area, is a fantastic example of innovation and is evidence that they, like Gatwick, are putting the emphasis on delivering excellent customer service for the passenger.”

The work is part of a £1.2bn investment into the airport.