Regional UK airport reveals major masterplan with new flights to US and Middle East… and millions more passengers
BRISTOL Airport has revealed it's masterplan to 2040, with dramatic passenger number increases and new destinations..
The airport's plans suggest that it aims to transform travel into and out of the region over the next five to 15 years.
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Current proposals include serving more connections and destinations including new long-haul flights such as the east coast of America and the Middle East.
In addition, the airport also wants to increase annual passenger numbers from 10million to 15million, by the late 2030s.
If the plans go ahead, Bristol Airport will reduce the number of journeys taken to London airports from the south west and south Wales
Currently, 10million passengers undertake journeys to London airports each year from these regions.
Proposals also including rising the number of flights from 85,990 per year to 100,000.
On a busy day in peak season, this would mean an additional 35 flights.
Night restrictions are planned to be kept at the airport but the airport is also proposing to increase night flights by 1,000 flights a year.
This would mean on average, four per night on a busy nigh in the peak season.
In the shorter term - over the next five years - the airport's terminal buildings will be extended to include a larger immigration area for arriving flights, more space for baggage reclaim, more shops and a new lounge.
The airport is also working to introduce an upgraded entrance with more car parking and a walkway so that passengers no longer have to get a bus out to planes.
The new £7billion mega terminal opening at Changi Airport
Over £60million will also be spent on improving bus and coach services in the region.
There will also be a new drop-off and pick-up location, as well as e-charging points.
Then - as part of the larger masterplan - by 2040, the airport plans to have new bus lanes, improved public transport links, highway improvements, a rapid EV charging hub, new buildings, over 8,000 more car parking spaces, additional hotel accommodation, an expanded car rental area and an extended runway.
It is also even considering having a 'vertiport' for electric vertical, take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft services.
The report states: "These zero-emissions aircraft are sometimes called 'flying taxis', and in future could play a role comparable
to helicopters today.
"While the technology is in the early stages of development, it is unlikely to be a major passenger service, but over time it could become viable to carry greater volumes of people between UK regions."
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A planning application for the appropriate infrastructure for all of the plans, will be submitted later this year.
There are currently 14 airlines operating from Bristol Airport to 115 destinations including Alicante, Majorca, Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Tenerife and Barcelona.
In 2024, Amsterdam was the most popular destination, followed by Alicante and Majorca.
According to the report, the airport is primarily used for leisure (41.9 per cent), followed by visiting family and friends (26.9 per cent) and package holidays (15.9 per cent).
Business customers make up the smallest portion of passengers using the airport (15.3 per cent).
In total, the airport contributes around £2billion to the south west and South Wales regions each year.
By 2040, the airport hopes to grow this to £3billion.
And by 2050, the airport also hopes to become net-zero.
Dave Lees, CEO of Bristol Airport, said: "We're continuing to see strong demand to travel to and from our region, with business travel surprisingly holding up since the pandemic and people wanting to connect with friends and family across Europe.
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'More than 10 million people from our catchment continue to travel to fly from Heathrow and London airports every year.
"We're confident we can capture a section of that demand and boost the economy of our region by providing direct connections to North America and the Middle East."
Bristol Airport previously did fly to America via Continental Airlines - which is now defunct.
There was a direct service between Bristol and Newark Liberty International Airport - which launched in 2005 and marked the airport's first ever non-stop transatlantic service from the southwest of England.
The flights were popular with more than 400,000 passengers using the route.
However, in 2010, the route was scrapped after the airline stopped operations at both airports.
Bristol Airport does already serve the Middle East though, including destinations such as Turkey, Egypt and Cyprus.
Another UK airport also has major plans for millions more passengers ahead of £1.1bn expansion – with new flights to Europe this year.
Plus, London Heathrow has revealed plans to expand two of its terminals as part of multi-billion renovation.
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