Bristol Airport saw customers numbers increase while rivals struggle
BRISTOL Airport is expected to be confirmed as the fastest growing airport in the country when official figures are released later this month by the Civil Aviation Authority.
The airport saw customer numbers increase by 8.52 per cent to 583,000 in June at a time when most other regional airports saw passenger totals falling.
-
Bristol Airport saw customer numbers increase by 8.2 per cent in June
The total number of people to pass through the airport this year stands at 2.5 million even though air travel has been badly hit by the recession and the volcanic ash crisis.
In contrast, Birmingham saw a fall of 5.2 per cent while passenger numbers at Cardiff were down 14.7 per cent. Just about every major airport suffered a fall in numbers including Manchester, Luton and London's three main airports.
Bristol is currently ninth in the national rankings but is hoping that its £150 million expansion plan will propel it further up the table.
Five out of the first six months of 2010 saw more passengers use the airport than in 2009, with April – when UK air travel was badly hit by the Icelandic volcano ash cloud – the one exception.
Aviation director Shaun Browne said: "Demand for both business and leisure travel is returning to levels seen before the recession, and airlines are responding by introducing additional capacity this summer.
"Glastonbury also generated a large number of visitors to the region in June, with Bristol Airport proving to be a popular gateway for festival-goers. This continued growth in demand underlines the need to develop and enhance facilities for passengers."
The airport is bracing itself for a busy summer and is warning passengers to leave themselves as much time as possible.
Mr Brown said: "Passengers travelling at peak times are advised to arrive in the terminal at least two hours ahead of their scheduled time of departure to ensure all essential processes can be completed."
North Somerset Council approved the airport's expansion plans last month and the aim is to increase capacity to 10 million passengers a year.
8 Comments
by Helen, Bristol
Thursday, July 15 2010, 5:48PM
“Mr Browne should check his records before he starts talking up passenger numbers at the airport. According to the official figures, 613,338 passengers used the airport in June 2008 - this year, the airport says there were 583,000. Bristol Airport may be recovering from the recession faster than other airports, but given that it is still operating at below 2008 levels, it hardly needs to expand.”
by Martyn, Bristol
Wednesday, July 14 2010, 5:20PM
“None of this would be possible if it wasn't for the draconian rules the airport workers have to suffer. Many staff work six consecutive days on 7 to 8.5 hour shifts which often start in the early hours and are only given part-time contracts. Presumably this is to avoid standard employment rights and to control the workforce with the fear of losing their jobs. I've also heard some have been docked one hours pay for being a minute late! The way our fellow Europen citizens are being treated is disgusting.”
by Robin, Knowle West
Wednesday, July 14 2010, 5:20PM
“MendipMan - which Easyjet bird went on strike on Sunday - not that tall brunette? I thought it was only BA on strike. LOL”
by Jon, Outside Bristol
Wednesday, July 14 2010, 3:43PM
“Hannah - so is O'Leary.”
by hannah©, bristol
Wednesday, July 14 2010, 3:38PM
“@Jon,erm I was actually taking the mick.”
by Jon, Outside Bristol
Wednesday, July 14 2010, 2:54PM
“More publicity rubbish from O'Leary and RyanAir, Hannah. No such standing provisions are currently in existence and is any were to be designed, the passenger would have to be strapped in like Hannibal Lechter to comply with the rigorous and necessary H&S regulations.
Just like charging for using the toilet, this is nothing more than a fantasy advertising strategy.”
by hannah©, bristol
Wednesday, July 14 2010, 1:33PM
“What about this then?
http://uk.travel.yahoo.com/p-promo-3312418
could it possibly reduce the risks of DVT?”
by MendipMan, Wurzel Country
Wednesday, July 14 2010, 1:31PM
“Bristol Airport has performed remarkably well during the past two years where the recession has impacted adversely on all UK airports.
The recession affected Bristol Airport much later than nearly all other airports and Bristol is amongst the first to show signs of real recovery.
In the two years since its high point of 2008 Bristol's annual passenger figures have fallen by around 9% to a current figure approaching 5.7 million a year. Locally, Cardiff Airport's passenger figures fell by nearly 28% from its 2008 high point to a current figure of just over 1.5 million per year and Exeter Airport declined during the same period by around 25% to just over 750,000 per year at the present time.
It's not all positive stuff at Bristol though.
Comment was made in the Post recently about the lack of seating in the departure area because the airport has used more space for retail outlets. With thirty aircraft departing each weekday morning between 0600 and 0900 the departure area can be unpleasantly crowded at times. The proposed major expansion is needed as much to make life more bearable for today's passengers as it is to enable more people to travel in the future.
Recently easyJet has been cancelling flights at many of its airports because, if aviation watchers are to be believed, there is a shortage of available pilots and cabin staff ¿ the airline reduced based staff numbers at several airports including Bristol last year. On Saturday, Sunday and Monday easyJet cancelled a total of eleven return flights from Bristol leaving many intending passengers inconvenienced and fuming, though a bird strike at Pisa on Sunday was said to be partly responsible.
Bristol Airport is a tremendous facility for the region and, bearing in mind its constricted site, poor weather at times and difficult road access, has become almost a pathfinder for other medium sized and smaller regional airports round the country. It is regularly held up in aviation circles as an example for others to follow because it so often leads the field in innovations with, for example, the Airport Flyer an outstanding way of making good the lack of a direct rail link. It is very well used from and to Temple Meads with through rail ticketing, with the bus station also a popular part of the route to access National Express.
However, though I am a user and supporter of the airport, I sometimes have a niggling feeling that the delicate balance between the need to make money and the provision of a good passenger experience might be tipping away from the passenger ever so slightly. I hope the management will take heed and return us to the days when using the airport was a joy, in as much as using any airport can be so described.”