Airport News
Bristol Airport showcases past in new display
Tue, 08 Feb, 2011
Bristol Airport has showcased its past to passengers in a new display.
Travellers passing through the facility's gates can view film footage and photographs dating back to its opening in 1930.
"Passengers can now take a trip down memory lane before checking in ahead of departure or on arrival back in Bristol on an inbound flight," said the hub.
Mike Littleton, community relations manager at Bristol Airport, picked snaps of a number of "memorable highlights", in addition to a number of films from its 80-year history.
Royal visits and unusual aircraft have been chosen for the showcase, which is located on the ground floor of the landside arrivals area of the terminal.
Earlier in the month, the facility revealed it had seen gains in passenger numbers last year.
In a departure from industry trends, Bristol Airport saw an increase of 1.8 per cent when compared with results from the same period in 2009.
ASA bans advert at Bristol Airport
Fri, 04 Feb, 2011
The Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) has banned one company from using one of its adverts at Bristol Airport.
A billboard outside the facility for Cadbury House Hotel in Congresbury was deemed misleading by the body after a complaint was received.
The advert stated that the hotel was "just ten minutes away" from Bristol Airport, but the ASA has ruled that it cannot appear in its current format after testing the claim.
In its defence, Cadbury House's owners submitted their findings, which reported an average journey time of between nine and 15 minutes.
However, the ASA stated: "We also noted the average journey time submitted was greater than ten minutes and … the journey, at most times of the day, would take longer due to traffic."
Earlier in the month, Bristol Airport reported increases in passenger numbers last year, with volumes rising by 1.8 per cent when compared with the same period in 2009.
Bristol Airport adds new Turkey services
Fri, 24 Dec, 2010
Bristol Airport has revealed plans to add a number of new services to Turkey.
Scheduled to begin in summer 2011, the facility will run flights directly to Bodrum.
The new route will be operated by Turkey holiday specialist firm SunWings, giving holidaymakers from the south-west and Wales the chance to fly straight to the popular destination.
"Turkey has become increasingly popular with the region's travellers in recent years, driven in part by the availability of bargains as a result of being outside the eurozone," said Bristol Airport.
It went on to note that Bodrum boasts an ideal location for travellers heading to the beach resorts of Gumbet and Bitez.
Flights are scheduled to depart at mid-morning every Monday from May to October 2011.
Earlier in the month, Bristol Airport unveiled another set of new routes operated by Aer Arann and Aer Lingus and connecting directly to the Irish capital of Dublin.
Bristol Airport predicts busy week
Tue, 21 Dec, 2010
Bristol Airport has predicted a busy week in the lead-up to Christmas.
The facility expects more than 90,000 passengers to pass through its gates from December 18th onwards.
In addition to the usual festive travellers who are visiting relatives overseas or heading away to escape the icy weather, Bristol Airport has also rolled out a range of new ski services.
New flights from easyJet to Lyon are just one of the latest winter routes to be unveiled by carriers at the facility.
Aviation director at Bristol Airport Shaun Browne warned passengers to set aside enough time to get to the terminal and check in.
"Although we will be making all efforts to provide a great start to passengers' festive breaks, check-in, security search and boarding can take time - particularly for families," he said.
Earlier in the month, Bristol Airport revealed new routes to Dublin from Aer Lingus and Aer Arann.
Bristol Airport to gain new hotel
Thu, 14 Oct, 2010
Planning permission has been granted to construct a new hotel at Bristol Airport by North Somerset Council's South Area Committee.
Currently the ninth largest airport in the UK, Bristol is the only one of the top 15 hubs in the country not to have any on-site accommodation.
Work on the new 251-room hotel is pencilled in to begin early next year, with work estimated to be completed during the winter of 2012/13.
Situated 100 metres away from the main building, the new facility is part of ongoing plans to improve and overhaul the airport's existing features.
Robert Sinclair, chief executive officer at Bristol Airport, said: "An on-site hotel is essential if we are to achieve our ambition of becoming a world-class regional airport serving the south-west.
"It has long been high on the list of facilities requested by our passengers."
Another hub currently planning expansion work is Birmingham Airport, which is hoping to extend its runway to boost its profile in the international market.
Bristol Airport welcomes planning application
Wed, 22 Sep, 2010
Bristol Airport has expressed its approval of the secretary of state's decision not to call in its application for significant upgrades to its facilities.
"By empowering North Somerset Council to determine this application, the secretary of state's decision secures the future of the airport … for the next ten years," said the airport in a press release.
Bristol Airport claimed the move was a "vote of confidence" in North Somerset Council, in addition to being an acknowledgement of the application's regional support.
It said the enhancement of its facilities would bring significant benefits to the region, including financial support for transport infrastructure, mitigation measures and a measure of control over the airport's environmental impact.
Earlier in the month, Birmingham Airport welcomed a decision by local business leader to give the airport's planned runway extension consideration, claiming delays had been one of the biggest hindrances to the city of Birmingham's status.
Bristol Airport reports rising international numbers
Thu, 16 Sep, 2010
Bristol Airport has released figures which show that its overall passenger numbers went up in August, with international passengers helping to drive growth.
It noted a 1.42 per cent increase in passenger volumes, when compared with the same period in 2009. International numbers saw a rise of 3.32 per cent, in spite of French air traffic control strikes.
Aviation director for Bristol Airport Shaun Browne welcomed the report in light of the announcement of new services by Flybe, and expressed his hopes for the airport's future.
"We hope to have further good news for travellers soon as we look to build the south-west's connectivity to key destinations across the world," he said.
Nearly 70,000 passengers were served by Bristol Airport last month and the increased numbers were achieved despite a 4.78 per cent decrease in the number of flights in August.
News of the figures comes after the airport welcomed an announcement by prime minister David Cameron, who said he intends to make Britain one of the world's premier tourist destinations.
Bristol Airport to benefit from new Kiss Flights routes
Tue, 15 Sep, 2009
Demand for parking spaces at Bristol Airport looks almost certain to be greater next summer thanks to the launch of new flights.
Kiss Flights will introduce ten new routes from May 2010, with one of the most popular likely to be a weekly service to Skiathos.
Passengers will be pleased to learn that most of Kiss's flights will be operated during the day, with ticket prices including 15kgs hold baggage per seat.
Travellers flying from Bristol will be able to choose from the airline's routes to Corfu, Dalaman, Heraklion and Kefalonia.
The popular holiday destinations of Kos, Lanzarote, Sharm el Sheikh, Tenerife and Zante will also be serviced.
Kiss Flights' summer schedule will run until October.
Elsewhere, the carrier will launch flights to Sharm el Sheikh from East Midlands Airport on July 1st next year, a service that will remain operational until October 28th.
Kiss Flights also operates from London Gatwick and Manchester airports.
Council to consider Bristol airport parking plans
Wed, 17 Jun, 2009
Plans to expand airport parking in Bristol are to be considered by North Somerset council.
The airport expansion proposals include extensions to the terminal and more aircraft stands as well as additions to the airport parking capacity.
Chief executive of the airport Robert Sinclair said that the airport had gathered many opinions from local people and has a dedication to keeping carbon dioxide emissions no higher than they were in 2007.
The plans are intended to increase airport capacity to handle ten million passengers by 2016, while the airport says thousands of jobs would be created.
Passengers can get quotes for the cost of their airport parking over the internet as well as making a booking.
The airport accepts Visa Debit, Visa Credit, American Express, Switch/Maestro and Mastercard.
Bookings can be made as far in advance as 12 months but need to be carried out at least one calendar day before flying.
If an airport parking booking is changed or made through the call centre, a £2 fee applies.
Bristol in £600,000 airport parking improvements
Thu, 11 Jun, 2009
Airport parking in Bristol is set to undergo a £600,000 improvement scheme.
Spokesperson for Bristol Airport Tom Hack said: "By investing over half a million pounds in improving our car parks, we hope to further enhance the airport experience for passengers, providing a parking product to suit all needs and budgets."
The airport parking improvements include refurbishing the reception area of the long-stay Silver Zone car park as well as resurfacing it.
In addition, a new multi-storey car park will be built.
Users of airport parking this summer who book over the internet will be able to get more than £20 of discounts on products bought within the airport.
In May, Bristol Airport marked four years of the Continental Airlines service from the city to New York.
More than 320,000 people have used the service since its inception in 2005.
The airport celebrated by giving passengers refreshments from its Seafood Bar.
Bristol Airport passengers offered US deals
Thu, 21 May, 2009
Bristol Airport passengers have been offered a number of special deals on flights to the US.
The Continental Airlines routes run to New York and include connecting services to a number of destinations.
Travellers can head to Houston for £370.30, Washington DC for £337.30 and Miami for £335.30.
Other cities included in the deal are Baltimore, New York, Orlando, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Las Vegas.
The firm has advised the prices are subject to availability.
Earlier this week, the hub celebrated its fourth year of transatlantic custom with the airline by offering customers drinks from its Seafood Bar and a goody bag.
Since beginning in May 2005, it has seen 320,000 people pass through its doors on their way to the States and is the only direct link from the south west and Wales to the country.
Those driving to the airport to take advantage of its parking facilities are advised it is located eight miles away from Bristol on the A38.
Bristol Airport gains new flights to "holiday paradise"
Fri, 24 Apr, 2009
Bristol Airport has gained a pair of new flights, including one to a destination it calls a "holiday paradise".
Egyptian city Sharm el-Sheik has received the praise, which can now be reached via Kiss Flights from the facility.
Run in association with Koral Blue Airlines, the Thursday service starts on July 2nd.
Outbound, the take off time is 11.40 BST, while its inbound counterpart is scheduled to take off at 07.00 BST and hit British soil at 10.50 BST.
The operator will also begin a Friday flight service to Tenerife on the following day (July 3rd).
"[It] has so much to offer from its warm sun-kissed sands to its non-stop party atmosphere. The island offers a host of activities such as golf and watersports," the company said.
The hub is located eight miles to the south of Bristol, just off the M5 and M4 motorways.
Those planning to use airport parking can input the post code BS48 3DY to find the quickest route.
Airport expansion 'will destroy jobs'
Wed, 11 Mar, 2009
Expanding airports in the west country will destroy thousands of jobs in the region, it has been claimed.
Campaigners protesting against the expansion said that by 2030, more than 64,000 jobs could be lost and cited research by the Aviation Environment Federation.
The study found that as more people decide to spend money abroad thanks to inexpensive air travel, jobs could be lost in the region.
The Western Morning News reported rejections of the claims by business figures.
According to Tim Jones, who chairs the Devon and Cornwall Business Council, airports in the area are "an excellent shop window" to bring in new business and create jobs.
He "completely rejected" the report.
Among its findings was the claim that in 2005, the difference between what air travellers spent abroad and what they spent in the regions was more than £1 billion.
Jamie Christon of Exeter International Airport said that the airport drove tourism and that some figures were ten years out of date.
Bristol Airport told the Bristol Evening Post that "fanciful economics" had been used to come to "misleading and inaccurate conclusions".
Noise problems not considered by airport expansion, say MPs
Thu, 05 Mar, 2009
Concerns have been raised by MPs about proposed expansions to Bristol Airport.
John Penrose and Liam Fox, both Conservative MPs, wrote a joint letter to Robert Sinclair, chief executive of the airport, on the issue.
While not opposing the plans, they expressed concern over problems such as noise or what the benefits to the area's economy would be given how matters have changed since the proposals were created.
Their letter pointed out that increasing passenger numbers could have a detrimental effect on "our already overstretched transport infrastructure".
Mr Sinclair said that the pre-application consultation gave residents and stakeholders a chance to make their worries known and stated: "These issues will not be ignored."
He asked the MPs to "keep an open mind".
Bristol Airport's car parking facility includes a secure system for paying over the internet.
Passengers can book their airport parking as well as Fly Thru security passes online.
Snow suspends Bristol flights
Fri, 06 Feb, 2009
Flights from Bristol International Airport have been suspended as a result of the weather conditions.
Heavy overnight falls of snow have been given as the reason.
The airport gave a list of arrivals and departures on its website that have been cancelled.
These include arrivals from locations such as Glasgow, Amsterdam and Dublin and departures for destinations that include Geneva, Paris and Malaga.
It has closed and also warns that people trying to reach the airport by road may experience delays.
Passengers have been told to contact their airlines for details about flights and road conditions.
In addition, the Flyer Coach service to the airport has also been stopped temporarily.
The Bristol Evening Post has reported details of traffic and road disruption caused by the heavy snowfall.
Some places in north Somerset have seen snow fall to a depth of seven inches and roads near to the airport have also been thickly covered.
Bristol treble for budget airline
Mon, 28 Apr, 2008
Low-cost carrier easyJet has begun flying to Biarritz, Olbia and Split from Bristol Airport.
The service to the Basque town of Biarritz will operate four times a week, with seats available from £19.99 one way.
Flights to the Sardinian town of Olbia will run three times a week, while passengers heading to the Croatian city of Split will be able to travel on Wednesdays or Saturdays. One-way fares are available from £21.99 and £23.99 respectively.
All three destinations offer easy access to a range of coastal resorts and Shaun Browne, head of route development for Bristol Airport, expects them to prove popular with holidaymakers.
"The three new easyJet routes provide more exciting options for the south-west's travellers, whether they are looking for a short break or a longer summer holiday," said Mr Browne.
A range of new services from Bristol Airport have been launched in recent weeks, including SAS flights to Oslo and a Lufthansa route to Frankfurt.
Air Southwest focuses on parking
Fri, 18 Apr, 2008
Budget carrier Air Southwest is hoping to use improved airport parking facilities to attract new customers.
The airline has moved to secure more convenient car parking spots for passengers at Bristol Airport, from where it operates routes to Manchester, Leeds-Bradford, Newquay and Jersey.
Its newly acquired parking spaces are directly opposite the terminal and anyone taking advantage of them will be able to walk to the check-in area in just minutes.
Meanwhile, another budget carrier Snowjet has announced plans to launch a new service from Bristol Airport to the French city of Chambery, which is a gateway to ski resorts such as Courchevel, Meribel, Tignes and Val d'Isere.
The route will operate every Saturday between December 20th 2008 and April 18th 2009, with seats available from £34 one way.
Included in the price is carriage for ski boots and either skis or a snowboard, in addition to the usual baggage allowance.
Stockholm service returns to Bristol
Thu, 20 Dec, 2007
Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) has confirmed it will resume flying between Bristol Airport and the Swedish capital Stockholm next summer.
The airline operated a service on same route during summer 2007 and its success persuaded SAS executives to reinstate the flights from June 27th 2008.
Fares on the service, which will fly on Mondays and Fridays, start from £49 one way including taxes.
Lars-Ove Filipson, general manager United Kingdom and Ireland for SAS, said he expects the route to prove as popular as it was in 2007.
"We saw large numbers of leisure and business travellers taking advantage of the new Swedish route and flying to this beautiful capital city for business trips, weekend escapes and city breaks," said Mr Filipson.
SAS confirmed last month that it is to launch a new service from Bristol Airport to Oslo in April 2008.
Tickets for the three times a week flights to the Norwegian capital are available from £39 one way including taxes.
Bristol to Toronto flights announced
Fri, 23 Nov, 2007
Low-cost airline Flyglobespan has announced it is to commence flying from Bristol Airport to the Canadian city of Toronto in May 2008.
The route to Hamilton Airport will operate on Mondays, with return tickets available from £315 including taxes.
Bristol Airport's aviation development director Tony Hallwood described adding another transatlantic service to its roster as "fantastic news".
"Canada is one of the destinations most frequently requested by our passengers, so we are delighted to be able to deliver a weekly service to Toronto," said Mr Hallwood.
He added that the flights would help to boost the south-west's tourist industry, as England is a popular destination with Canadian holidaymakers.
The Toronto service is one of a number of new routes that have already been confirmed for Bristol Airport next year, with others including Lufthansa flights to the German city of Frankfurt and Scandinavian Airlines System flights to the Norwegian capital Oslo.
Bristol to get Frankfurt flights
Tue, 06 Nov, 2007
Lufthansa has announced plans to start a new three times a day service between Bristol Airport and the German city of Frankfurt.
The first flight on the new route will take off on March 30th 2008, with tickets available from £39 one way, including taxes.
Frankfurt is one of Germany's financial centres and Tony Hallwood, aviation development director at Bristol Airport, believes the new service will prove popular with the south-west's business community.
Mr Hallwood explained: "The three times daily frequency will make day-long business trips to Frankfurt a reality."
The number of destinations that can be reached via Bristol Airport has risen in recent weeks, with easyJet commencing services to Lisbon, Gdansk and Funchal.
SAS has announced it will begin flying from Bristol Airport to the Norwegian capital Oslo in April and the following month low-cost carrier Ryanair is to commence services to the French towns of Bergerac, Beziers and Pau.
SAS to launch Bristol to Oslo service
Mon, 29 Oct, 2007
Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) has announced it is to open a new route between Bristol Airport and the Norwegian capital Oslo from April 1st 2008.
The new service will fly three times a week and tickets will be available in both economy and economy extra, so as to provide for holidaymakers and business travellers.
Lars-Ove Filipson, general manager for SAS in the United Kingdom and Ireland, said the airline had decided to launch the new service because of the popularity of its existing Bristol to Stockholm route.
Mr Filipson added: "We are expecting to see large numbers of leisure and business travellers taking advantage of the new route and flying to Oslo to explore Norway's beautiful capital city."
Passengers heading off to Scandinavia on holiday will be able to take advantage of the new environmentally-friendly buses which Bristol Airport brought into service earlier this month to ferry people between the airport parking areas and terminal building.
Regional airports 'provide boost to local area'
Tue, 16 Oct, 2007
Regional airports boost their localities by increasing access to the area, an industry development director said today.
Tony Hallwood, aviation development director at Bristol International Airport, made the comment as he revealed the benefits a new Bristol to New York service has brought.
According to Mr Hallwood, the daily flight - operated by Continental Airlines - has made New York "a convenient and affordable destination for business and leisure travellers across the south-west".
"At the same time, an increasing number of US visitors are also enjoying easier access to this region’s attractions, such as Bath, historic Bristol, the Cotswolds and Stonehenge," he added.
Other destinations that are easily accessible from Bristol airport include Paris and Amsterdam.
Budget airline Ryanair recently announced that it will be operating 20 new routes from the airport starting in November.
More than seven million people live within a two-hour driver from the airport.
Bristol celebrates Polish connection
Thu, 04 Oct, 2007
Bristol Airport has celebrated the start of a new route to Poland this week.
Passengers at the airport checking in for the inaugural flight were treated to a taste of Polish culture by the operator of the new service, easyJet, as a dance troupe and traditional food treats were laid on for lucky travellers.
The route will run three times a week to Warsaw - the country's historic capital - on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Furthermore, one lucky passenger was treated by the airline with two free tickets to visit Gdansk when this second new service to Poland commences on October 29th.
It is expected that the connection will be popular among travellers, with 40,000 people predicted to fly the route in the first 12 months of operation.
Bristol recently announced that local bands and performers would be allowed to play at the airport in a bid to keep visitors entertained while simultaneously promoting local talent.