Planning for the redevelopment began last year, but building work only started in the past month.

Fairbrother has been contracted to extend the airport terminal by adding 650 square metres of floor space.

The $3.5 million terminal extension, which will take the airport building closer to the runway, will make room for more eating and drinking facilities and a news, books and gifts store double its current size.

Airport commercial manager Michael Cullen said tenders for food and beverage stores had closed and six submissions had been received.

‘‘Within a months time we should be ready to release concepts about who we will be working with,’’ he said.

‘‘What I can say is we know there will be a very strong element of Tasmanian produce, the Tasmanian look and feel and the Tasmanian story.’’

Mr Cullen said adding a Tasmanian feel to the airport was what the redevelopment aimed to achieve.

‘‘We’re aware that airports play a  big role in that first and last impression of their holiday so we wanted to make sure that our eating, drinking and shopping facilities are really celebrating Tasmania,’’ he said.

‘‘What we’re trying to incorporate is our local products, our local producers and our local brands.

‘‘The Long Bar and the news and books will be demolished to make room for the new news and gifts area, Hudsons Coffee site will be removed, but we will still have four eating and drinking facilities.’’

Timber will be used throughout the airport, including in the gate lounges and on the ceiling.

Improved seating and areas for phone charging will also be included in the terminal upgrade.

Mr Cullen said base building work was expected to be finished by November, with the retail fit-outs to be finished early next year.

About $2.5 million is expected to be spent on shop fit-outs.

The retail development follows the $11 million runway overlay project which was completed in March and the $6 million development of a new airport entry and new undercover parking near the Sharp Airlines terminal.

Future airport projects include changes to the car rentals car park and an upgrade of the long-term car parking two site at the Southern end of the terminal.

The airport’s 2015 Master Plan was approved earlier this year.