UK Aviation Minister Robert Goodwill MP recently visited Bristol Airport to view progress on its development programme, and emphasise the importance of airports to the government’s long-term economic plan. The latest enhancements to the terminal include construction of an £8.6 million (€11.6m) eastern terminal extension, which is scheduled for completion this summer.
Robert Sinclair, CEO Bristol Airport, accompanied UK Aviation Minister Robert Goodwill MP on a tour to view progress on its development programme, which includes construction of an eastern terminal extension.
Goodwill toured the terminal with the airport’s CEO Robert Sinclair, viewing existing facilities, including the new central walkway that opened last summer, and being shown computer generated images of the overall development plans which will enable it to handle up to 10 million annual passengers.
“I was pleased to hear that Bristol Airport have seen their highest ever passenger numbers of over 6.3 million last year, breaking their own record from 2008,” Goodwill commented. “Supporting our airports is part of this government’s long-term economic plan. This growth is driven by the significant investment the airport is making in new infrastructure that I have seen today.”
The 3.45% increase in passenger numbers achieved in 2014 was the fifth consecutive year of growth for Bristol Airport. Further growth is forecast in 2015, with services to several new destinations to commence this spring. easyJet, the airport’s largest carrier, is adding year-round services to Bilbao, Isle of Man, Gibraltar and Porto. Thomson Airways will operate to Cape Verde for the first time, alongside new services to Hurghada and Paphos. Meanwhile, Wizz Air will enter the South West market for the first time, with a twice-weekly service to Katowice from June.
“Regional airports have an important role to play in providing connectivity for the catchment areas they serve, making best use of the capacity that exists outside London and helping to rebalance the economy,” Sinclair added. “We were delighted to show the Minister first-hand how Bristol Airport is making significant investment in new infrastructure which will enable us to grow the network of routes available, serve more passengers from South West England and South Wales, and enhance the customer experience in the process.”
Development of passenger facilities to cater for increasing demand continues, with work underway on the eastern terminal extension, improvements to car parks, and construction of a 201-room Hampton by Hilton hotel.
