Bristol Airport submits plans for improvements that will support economic growth
Bristol Airport customers could soon be able to use their local airport to visit new destinations around the world under plans to meet customer demand and support economic regional growth.
The proposal, submitted to North Somerset Council last week, would enable the airport to provide more destinations, including world cities within Europe and beyond with a limited number of new longer-haul flights to North America, Middle East, with connections to Asia and beyond.
Fewer local people and business travellers would need to rely on travelling to London airports and could instead explore places further afield from their local airport, while also enabling businesses to reach new markets and the tourism sector to benefit from more international visitors exploring the South West region.
The plans would see an additional 1,000 on-site airport jobs for local people including roles such as engineers, mechanics, airline crew, retail assistants and caterers. A total of 36,000 jobs would be supported in the South West and South Wales within the supply chain with wider economy benefits. Additionally, partnerships with local colleges providing support to get people into work, skills training and apprenticeships for local people have been proposed.
Extended runway
The plans would see around £500 million invested in improvements at the airport and local infrastructure. These include extending the runway to accommodate larger aircraft and increasing capacity of the terminal that includes a number of improvements to enhance the customer experience, including more space, a wider choice of retail and restaurants and the ability to walk onto aircraft without getting on a bus.
Dave Lees, Chief Executive of Bristol Airport, said, “Our proposals deliver what customers have told us they want to see at their local airport. We will open up opportunities to visit places further afield and for businesses to expand into new international markets.
“This would improve international connectivity to key world cities enhancing trade, supporting high value sectors and improving inward investment, as well as supporting our world-leading universities in their research and innovation endeavours.
“It is also about connecting family and friends – something that’s important for the West of England where 30% of people now have close family members living abroad.”
Supporting regional growth
The airport’s plans come six months after the West of England’s Growth Strategy was published setting out opportunities for economic development in the region, which has the fastest growing and most productive regional economy outside of London.
Work is already under way in North Somerset on Epic System’s 90-acre technology campus that will be the base for the US firm’s European headquarters providing jobs and contributing significantly to the local economy.
Dave added, “There is an incredible amount of economic investment in the West of England and it’s an exciting time for the region with so much opportunity. At Bristol Airport we have a responsibility to meet that level of ambition and ensure we have an airport that connects our region and meets demand from a growing population for air travel.”
Bristol Airport’s detailed plans, including a full range of impact assessments and consultation analysis, are expected to be published on North Somerset Council’s planning webpage in the coming weeks. The Council will then set out how local people and organisations can view the application and submit comments, which will be considered before the Council makes a decision later this year.
Pictured above: Bristol Airport check-in area (IMAGE: Bristol Airport)
