INTERNATIONAL PASSENGERS ON THE RISE AT BRISTOL AIRPORT

Passenger numbers at Bristol Airport continued to rise in August, with volumes up 1.42 per cent compared to the corresponding period last year. Growth in international travel was particularly strong, with numbers up 3.32 per cent despite disruption by air traffic control strikes in France which impacted some European flights. Over 680,000 passengers passed through the terminal last month, taking the total for the year to date to just under four million. Seven out of eight months in 2010 have seen more passengers use the Airport than in the previous year, with April – when UK air travel was disrupted by ash from the Icelandic volcano – the only exception. The rise in passengers was achieved with fewer flights (-4.78 per cent) than in August 2009, indicating that airlines operated with particularly high load factors during the busy holiday period. Shaun Browne, Aviation Director at Bristol Airport, said: “These results follow an announcement by Flybe that it will operate a twice-daily service between Bristol and Belfast City from November. 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.” 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. 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’. Ends For further information please contact: James Gore, Bristol Airport, 01275 475447 / 07717 896315 Jacqui Mills, Bristol Airport, 01275 473615 / 07712 792915