BRISTOL AIRPORT PREPARES FOR BUSY SUMMER

New faces, new flights and new facilities for peak travel period

Bristol Airport is gearing up for the start of the summer holidays, with passenger numbers expected to rise steeply when the school term ends (23 July). Forecasts indicate that over 1.2 million people will pass through the terminal during July and August, with traffic returning to close to the levels last seen at the South West’s major airport in 2008. Flights to Skiathos in Greece and Pula in Croatia are new this summer, while Mexico, Florida, Turkey, Greece and Egypt remain popular with South West holiday-makers. Local travel agents also report strong interest in all-inclusive packages, with customers keen to know their costs up front. Additional staff have been recruited to help ensure the Airport runs smoothly during its busiest period, with 18 new faces joining the customer service and car park teams. Sixteen ‘Volunteer Information Patrons’ (or VIPs) are also in place to help provide information and a warm welcome to overseas visitors flying into the region. Shops at the Airport are helping customers stay cool however hot it gets on their holidays – the tax and duty free store will sell 500 pairs of designer sunglasses in a typical week this summer, while 1,300 bottles of sun screen will be purchased from Superdrug. At the same time, the Airport’s cafés, bars and restaurants are stocking up in readiness for an influx of families. Each week, 2,750 breakfasts, 24,000 coffees and 2,000 muffins will be consumed by hungry passengers! Nearly 300 new seats are being installed to ensure passengers can relax in comfort while waiting to board flights. Shaun Browne, Aviation Director at Bristol Airport, advises passengers to allow sufficient time to complete essential processes at the airport: “The summer holidays will be very busy, but plans are in place to make the airport experience for passengers as convenient and comfortable as possible. However, check-in, security search and boarding can take time - particularly for families and large groups. By arriving at least two hours ahead of their scheduled departure time, passengers can help us keep queues to a minimum.” So far this year, Bristol Airport has opened a state-of-the-art ‘walk through’ tax and duty free store and a new 450m walkway linking the terminal to eight aircraft stands, reducing the need to bus passengers to and from flights. Browne continued: “Passengers who have not used the airport since their last summer holiday will notice significant improvements, but need to be aware of changes to the layout of the terminal. In particular, those boarding flights from the new walkway (gates 8-16) will need to allow a few extra minutes to walk to the gate “ In May, North Somerset Council recommended approval of the Airport’s development plans which will see facilities further enhanced to enable a throughput of 10 million passengers per annum by 2020. Proposals include extensions to the existing terminal, car parking improvements, a public transport interchange with covered pedestrian access to the terminal, and additional aircraft stands. The planning application also includes provision for a £5.4 million contribution to regional transport schemes, improvements to bus services to the Airport, and a target of 15 per cent public transport usage In March, Bristol Airport marked the tenth anniversary of its terminal building by unveiling a new brand identity to guide its business over the next decade. The new brand represents ‘people’, ‘place’ and ‘region’ – the three pillars on which the airport’s success rests – and promises ‘Amazing Journeys Start Here’. The terminal is expected to handle its 50 millionth passenger towards the end of the year. Ends For further information please contact: James Gore, Bristol Airport, 01275 475447 / 07717 896315 Jacqui Mills, Bristol Airport, 01275 473615 / 07712 792915