A major upgrade with state-of-the art security technology to speed up boarding has been completed at London City Airport.

The departure lounge has been revamped to bring the expanding airport in the former Royal Docks up to global standards.

It has a duty-free shopping complex with major retail outlets like WH Smith and Boots as well as restaurants, a café and even a pub.

“We have taken the opportunity to roll out cutting-edge security scanners,” London City Airport chief executive Alison FitzGerald explained. “Now the new restaurants and shopping area have leading brands from our neighbourhood of east London.”

The duty free area is hot on east London products with dishes from “the four corners of the city” including a Brick Lane chicken thali and fish and chips to tempt the international traveller.

Brands include East London Liquor Company, Little Bird London Gin and London Honey Company.

The upgrade has also increased seating in the departure lounge by 30 per cent.

The airport was ranked “the most punctual in London” in Civil Aviation Authority airport data for 2022-23.