Banksy shows helps Bristol Airport numbers
The popularity of the Banksy exhibition helped slow the decline of passenger numbers at Bristol International Airport, it has claimed.
New figures show that in July, 623,378 people flew in and out of Lulsgate – a drop of just 3.52 per cent compared to July 2008, although it is the ninth consecutive month passenger numbers have fallen.
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It compares to an 11 per cent drop in passenger numbers at Bristol in June compared to the year before.
More than 250,000 people have viewed the free Banksy exhibition at the Bristol Museum in Clifton, with some people visiting from the US to see the attraction.
The airport saw the numbers of people using charter flights in July drop 20 per cent to 121,596 passengers. Those on international flights rose by two per cent to 396,066 and the number of people taking flights within Britain dropped by one per cent to 105,621 passengers.
In June, the airport scaled back its expectations for passenger growth as it unveiled its £150-million expansion plans.
It previously claimed passenger numbers would reach 10 million a year by 2016, but now believes the figure will be reached by 2020 and is delaying its plans accordingly.
In a statement, airport spokesman James Gore said:
"Over three million passengers have used Bristol International so far this year despite economic conditions in the UK impacting air travel over the winter months.
"July's figures indicate that passenger numbers are returning to 2008 levels, with this recovery expected to continue for the rest of the year and into 2010.
"The growth in scheduled international traffic is encouraging, particularly as it was achieved with fewer aircraft movements, demonstrating that airlines using Bristol International are operating efficient and sustainable business models based on high load factors.
"Improved performance in July was driven in part by the introduction of 11 new routes by Ryanair, and by inbound passengers visiting South West attractions such as the Bristol Museum's Banksy Exhibition."
The airport has submitted plans for a £150 million expansion to North Somerset Council.
They include a newly-expanded terminal building, multi-storey car parks and a hotel as well as a new administration building for airport staff and improved transport links.
Public consultation on the plans ended on Monday and the scheme will now be considered by the planning committee.
6 Comments
by I.R KITTEH, Bristol
Friday, August 21 2009, 2:44PM
“Theres been a steady stream of articles stating how numbers have increased and how much money it makes etc over the years”
by James, South West
Friday, August 21 2009, 12:02PM
“Bristol Airport was one of the last regional airports in the UK to be affected by the world economic downturn and is now showing itself to be one of the first to recover.
The Post seemingly gleefully trots out the decreasing passenger numbers each month (it never did the same when passenger numbers rose month after month, year after year) and it never attempts to put Bristol Airport in context by comparing other airports in the country.
If it did so it would find that Bristol has remained one of the best performers throughout the last year, and Banksy hasn't been at the museum for most of that time.
For example, the nearest airports to Bristol at Cardiff and Exeter saw passenger numbers decline in July by 18.4% and 14.5% respectively, and their performances over the past year have been much, much worse than Bristol.”
by Conrad, BS1
Friday, August 21 2009, 10:01AM
“People wishing to visit Bristol have used the airport.
Rocket science this isn't...
Bet the rip off taxi firm are laughing.”
by The Beef, The Ponds
Friday, August 21 2009, 9:22AM
“Totally pointless article, twisted in such a way to glorify Bristol's very own friendly neighbourhood vandal.
It's more likely more people are visiting to take advantage of the weak pound.
It's as ludicrous as saying that because the number of passengers using the airport has increased, it's due to more people flying out of Bristol to AVOID Banksy.
There's no evidence for the statement in the headline whatsoever.
Will the sycophancy never end?”
by Mike Ford, Bristol
Friday, August 21 2009, 8:57AM
“Can we give the Banksy stuff a rest now please? Anyone would think he cured cancer or something. In fact, seeing as I am analogizing, he is a cancer on Bristol. Heh. I am Steven Fry.”
by Steve, Bristol
Friday, August 21 2009, 8:31AM
“So what the airport is saying is that it is not the provisioning of new routes that brings inbound tourists (and money) to the area, its Banksy exhibitions? And therefore that any airport expansion without a matching exhibition will only increase outbound passengers? Makes sense to me”