Bristol Airport launches consultation on 2040 masterplan
Bristol Airport has launched a consultation setting out a masterplan to 2040 to meet a growing demand for the airport – the same week as it has been put up for sale, according to a report in The Times.
The airport's expansion proposals would enable it to provide more connections and serve new destinations, including a limited number of new longer-haul flights, connecting the region directly with destinations such as the east coast of America and the Middle East.
The future development is forecast to support more than 37,000 jobs in the South West and South Wales – including an additional 1,000 jobs at the airport. The airport has started a two-month long public consultation on its proposals.
There are now more than 10 million passengers a year using Bristol Airport, providing more than 5,000 local jobs and contributing £2 billion to the regional economy.
The masterplan to 2040 will look at expected passenger growth beyond the current allowance of 12 million passengers per annum, so it can serve up to 15 million passengers per year by around 2036. This will set a clear development intent to be given due consideration in the local planning process, with a planning application likely to be going to North Somerset Council next year.
The proposals include a larger terminal building, improved facilities, new taxiways and aircraft stands on the airfield, along with runway improvements, highway improvements and more parking.
Dave Lees, Chief Executive Officer, Bristol Airport said: “We've seen since the pandemic a real resurgence of people wanting to connect with friends and family across Europe as well as across the world and that will inform our plans as we go forward over the coming years.
“The masterplan will look at what further development might be required to meet this growing demand for air travel and we’d welcome input from people to help shape our plans.”
More than £400 million is currently being invested on improving customer experience and reducing the airport’s carbon emissions:
The increase in passengers from 12 million passengers per annum to 15 million passengers per annum, will see aircraft movements increase from 85,990 to 100,000 per year in the longer term to meet demand for air travel. On a busy day in peak period this would result in 35 extra aircraft movements. While night flying restrictions would remain, the airport is proposing to increase night flights by 1,000 - on average, four per night on a busy night in the peak period.
The airport has not commented on reports of a potential sale.
