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Record passenger numbers at Bristol Airport
Bristol Airport processed a record 6.76m passengers last year, an increase of almost half a million that makes the regional hub the UK’s ninth busiest airport. The 7.7% year-on-year increase in 2015 was the sixth consecutive year of growth for the facility, which has been named the UK’s most punctual small airport, a slide from the title of world’s most punctual last year.
Charter and scheduled flights have contributed to the rise with the introduction of new routes and increased capacity.
Executives predict further growth in 2016 to top 7m passengers, part of a longer term strategy to handle up to 10m each year.
Established airlines at the airport such as easyJet, Ryanair and bmi regional have been joined by new entrants to the market such as Hungary’s Wizz Air and Icelandic firm WOW air, taking the total number of destinations served to 118 in 30 countries.
£120m has been spent since 2010 upgrading and extending facilities. An £8.6m extension to the departure lounge completed last July introduced new shops and outlets as well as a second executive lounge. Work continues on the £24m west terminal extension, which will improve the security search process and enlarge the baggage reclaim area, customs facilities and meet-and-greet area.
Airport chief executive officer Robert Sinclair said: “Increased demand for air travel is a positive sign that the South West economy continues to thrive.
“Given the growth in our route network and continued improvement in facilities and services, passengers are increasingly turning to Bristol as the premier gateway airport serving the South West and Wales.”
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