Bristol Airport has opened a consultation on its expansion plans, which include the launch of direct long-haul flights to destinations including the Middle East and the East Coast of America.
The airport said it plans to increase passenger numbers from 12 million to 15 million per year over the next 12 years by improving facilities and offering more flight options.
CEO Dave Lees said: “We are constantly looking at trends in air travel and we are pleasantly surprised that people want to continue to travel by air.”
People have two months to have their say on the proposals as part of a public consultation.
‘Growing demand’
According to the airport, the development, part of a “masterplan to 2040”, is expected to create more than 37,000 jobs in the South West and South Wales, plus a further 1,000 jobs at the airport itself.
A spokesperson said the proposals were aimed at “meeting the strong and growing demand from people in the region”.
The plans include a larger terminal building, improved on-site catering facilities, a new hotel, a larger runway for long-haul aircraft, improved transport capacity on the A38 and more parking.
Mr Lees said travel has increased since the pandemic: “The masterplan will look at what further development may be needed to meet this growing demand for air travel and we would welcome people’s input to help shape our plans to give.”
People have previously protested against the airport expansion [BBC]
Calling the growth ‘responsible’, he explained that the airport, based in North Somerset, was investing more than £400 million in improving the customer experience and reducing the airport’s carbon emissions, with the aim of becoming a achieve net zero in its operations.
“In the meantime, we also want to work with partners in our region on aviation decarbonization,” he said.
The increase in passenger numbers to 15 million per year would mean approximately 100,000 aircraft movements per year from the airport, an increase of almost 15,000.
Bristol Airport said offering more destinations would reduce the number of trips to London airports.
Environmentalists had previously vowed to oppose Bristol Airport’s expansion plans.
The consultation period runs until January 31, 2025 and a planning application will be submitted to North Somerset Council next year.
Follow BBC Bristol Facebook, X And Instagram. Send your story ideas to us by email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.
