It seems to have gone very quiet at the airport and doesnt feel like there is anything looming on the horizon.. i feel the airport needs a big ticket item to shout about...
anyone know or heard anything? Where is conns 757 nower days? He was always a reliable source of info..
 
I was just thinking the same thing. We could do with just a few hints every now and then
 
It seems to have gone very quiet at the airport and doesnt feel like there is anything looming on the horizon.. i feel the airport needs a big ticket item to shout about...
anyone know or heard anything? Where is conns 757 nower days? He was always a reliable source of info..
conns is still around but doesn't visit us as often as he once did. In the past year or two the BRS senior management team has seen a number of changes with some people leaving and others having different roles. Those who would provide titbits in the past, either within the forum or behind the scenes, might not now be in a position to do so.

The airport seems to have expended a lot of time and energy dealing with the fallout from the cyber attack and there is also the considerable amount of work going on in connection with the new master plan, the draft of which was supposed to be pubished early next year. Whether the cyber attack will delay its publication remains to be seen.

The infrastructure development continues as it seems to have done for many years. I suppose the only big ticket items that might excite us BRS-watchers would be an announcement of a major new airline or a runway extension. The latter seems to have been ruled out and, as to the former, it's difficult to imagine which airline might see a significant future at BRS. Turkish Airlines might seem the most likely. That's for now but the industry can change quickly as most of us are aware.

If Brexit can be put to bed in some positive way we might see some expansion at UK airports in general.
 
FID screens still not back to normal, this was the scene early this morning.
View attachment 11515
The FIDs in the main terminal seemed to be working this afternoon. However, the large departure board on the wall, reminscent of railway stations of yesteryear, was still 'dead'.
 
Airport press release:

https://www.bristolairport.co.uk/ab...nats-installs-new-digital-flight-strip-system



NATS installs new digital flight strip system at Bristol Airport
Created: 12th Dec 2018

NATS, the UK’s leading air traffic services provider, has successfully introduced its new Hub and Spoke Electronic Flight Progress Strip (EFPS) system at Bristol Airport.

The new system will incorporate the airport’s tower and approach services that handle over 75,000 flights per year carrying more than 8.5 million passengers to destinations across Europe and beyond.

nats-digital-flight-strip-page-image.ashx

The roll-out follows the system’s previous successful implementations at Belfast International, Belfast City and Farnborough Airports when controllers stopped using paper strips to record aircraft information in favour of electronic flight progress data using new Hub and Spoke system architecture.

While the concept of electronic strips is not new, all NATS’ Hub and Spoke systems link to a centralised set of data servers to drive operational screens in connected airports. This removes the need for every airport air traffic control tower to host its own locally-installed servers and the provision of individual data links at a specific site.

The new electronic flight information system delivers significant benefits in infrastructure costs as well as enhancing the way in which airport towers can share data, thanks to its ability to transfer and share data from the same single database. In Bristol’s case, EFPS will also improve the airport’s stand-management system after it successfully passed integration testing.

The new system, which will also be introduced at Southampton, Cardiff and London City airports, means that controller workload is reduced; bringing safety and capacity benefits as controllers have more time to handle more flights and monitor increased levels of air traffic.

Steve O’Donoghue, NATS General Manager, Bristol Airport said: “The benefit that EFPS will bring to Bristol can’t be overestimated; the implementation stands NATS and the airport in good stead for improved efficient procedures and provides the capacity for predicted airport growth.

“The ability to share data with our airport customer, passengers and airlines will be further enhanced with the anticipated integration of the airport management system and use of data clearances, realising tangible operational benefits to all stakeholders.”
 
BRS press release.

https://www.bristolairport.co.uk/ab...edia-centre/2018/12/advice-for-festive-flyers

Although the press release is primarily about how to travel with Christmas gifts it does include details of passenger figures over the Festive Period.

This Christmas/New Year holiday period is expected to handle 235,000 passengers between 21 December and 3 January, an increase of up to 10% on the same period last year. The busiest day will be Sunday 23 December when 24,000 passengers will pass through the terminal. 1,000 will travel on Christmas Day.

Advice for festive flyers - Check in Christmas gifts or wrap on arrival
Created: 12th Dec 2018

Passengers flying away to celebrate Christmas with friends and family are being advised to pack presents in their hold baggage in order to avoid potentially seeing them unwrapped at the airport.

christmas-presents-x-ray-image.ashx
The tip from Bristol Airport comes ahead of what is expected to be a record Christmas holiday season for the South West’s international gateway. An estimated 235,000 passengers are set to pass through the terminal between 21 December and 3 January – up 10 per cent on the equivalent period last year. The busiest day will fall on 23 December, when 24,000 passengers will fly in and out of the airport, while around 1,000 will be travelling on Christmas Day itself.

Chris Morgan, Head of Security at Bristol Airport, said:

“Passengers may be tempted to take wrapped presents in their hand luggage when travelling during the festive season, but they should be aware that these may need to be unwrapped as part of the security search process.

“It is best to wait until you get to your destination to do the wrapping if you can – but if that’s not possible, we advise that any wrapped gifts should go in checked-in bags. We also recommend checking with your airline if you plan to travel with Christmas crackers, as policies on this can vary between carriers.”

Bristol Airport is on track to handle 8.7 million passengers in 2018, boosted by additional ski flights to Andorra and Ostersund in Sweden, along with increased capacity to popular winter city break destinations including Berlin, Copenhagen and Vienna.
 
Further moans about the Flight Information displays on Twitter, 3 months down the line from the cyber attack they are well justified.
I have contacted Jacqui Mills for a second time and up to know have had no response.

Although I've had a computer for many years and been linked to the Internet for over 20 years I admit that I am something of a technophobe when it comes to the inticracies of systems.

Having said this, I still don't know why it is taking so long to get everything back to normal at the airport. I'm assuming that if was that easy it would have been done by now, so if it isn't can anyone with a better understanding of such things than I possess give me a clue as to possible sticking points?

Incidentally, the local paper carried a report about Bristol Airport this week regarding the drones incidents at Gatwick, reporting, "Bosses at Bristol Airport have moved to reassure passengers a similar incident would not happen in this area."

I wish I could share their confidence.
 
Mayfly

The Bristol Airport Spotting website has now removed its list of past issues of Mayfly accompanied by this explanatory notice,

Following the IT issues at Bristol Airport in September 2018 the Bristol Airport Mayfly is currently unavailable for the foreseeable future, once we have an update or if the service is reinstated we will update this page, social media and out email subscribers. Thanks for your patience, but this is a feature out of our control.

If the IT situation really is the reason the airport has ceased to publish Mayfly in recent months we're back to wondering how big the cyber attack was, and why they seemingly have not fully recovered in terms of being able to present current and future information.

I presume Mayfly is mainly an operational document rather than just an interesting source of information for people like some of us who like to follow activities at the airport as best we can. If the former, I wonder how they have been managing in its absence. If the latter, then there is probably no imperative for the airport to continue publishing it.

On a related matter, I've been in the habit of picking up printed copies of the Airport Summer and Winter Guides for the past many years. This year when I enquired at the airport information desk before Christmas I was told that few copies had arrived at the desk and those that did were quickly snapped up. The person at the desk said the airport now expected most people to access the Guide online.

In the early part of this century the Guide was a detailed timetable showing every flight with carrier, timings and flight numbers, but over the years it has regressed to a list of destinations, carriers, tour operators, and the number of flights per day on each route.
 
Further moans about the Flight Information displays on Twitter, 3 months down the line from the cyber attack they are well justified.
I have contacted Jacqui Mills for a second time and up to know have had no response.

Still no response? The November stats have still not been produced, neither on the airport website nor on the CAA website.

The initial CAA list for November was pubished on 21 December and the following airports were missing in addition to BRS: Aberdeen, Bournemough, London City, London Gatwick and Lydd. They still are and the next refresh was due during the week commencing 7 January, ie this week. Perhaps they will be working overtime during the weekend.o_O
 
Still no response? The November stats have still not been produced, neither on the airport website nor on the CAA website.

The initial CAA list for November was pubished on 21 December and the following airports were missing in addition to BRS: Aberdeen, Bournemough, London City, London Gatwick and Lydd. They still are and the next refresh was due during the week commencing 7 January, ie this week. Perhaps they will be working overtime during the weekend.o_O

No response, I don’t why I am surprised to be honest, the twitter moans continue and the social media team continue to advise all is working normally, well it’s pretty obvious they are not.......
 
Airport press release:

https://www.bristolairport.co.uk/ab...-and-media-centre/2019/1/meet-the-buyer-event

Local Businesses Check in to 'Meet the Buyer' at Bristol Airport
Created: 11th Jan 2019

More than 100 local businesses attended a ‘Meet the Buyer’ event at Bristol Airport today (10 January) to find out more about becoming part of the airport’s supply chain.

With passenger numbers forecast to top nine million for the first time ever this year, a range of construction projects are underway to ensure facilities for passengers and business partners keep pace. Projects are likely to include major building refurbishments, demolition of existing buildings, new aircraft stands, multi-storey car parks and more.

More than £160 million has been invested in infrastructure since 2010, and this looks set to continue should a planning application to increase capacity to 12 million passengers a year be approved. This growth could see the airport generating £2.4 billion for the regional economy and presents opportunities for a wide range of suppliers across South West England and South Wales.

The ‘Meet the Buyer’ event, organised in partnership with Business West, is part of the airport’s drive to build resilience in its supply chain and further develop already strong local connections. Delegates heard from main contractors about the experience of working at a busy international airport, and the Business West skills team were on hand to provide practical advice

Bristol Airport’s Development Director, Andrew Goodenough, said:
“This is a great opportunity for us to showcase the opportunities available at Bristol Airport for business in the construction sector. It is fantastic to see the range and quality of skills on our doorstep, and gives us confidence as we continue to develop and improve our facilities for passengers.”

James Durie CEO of Chambers of Commerce & Initiative at Business West said:
“It’s great to be working together with Bristol Airport to actively connect our local South West businesses with business opportunities from its ongoing growth and development. As an economic driver and also the main gateway for people coming into or travelling out from the Bristol, Bath & South West region we need our local businesses, people and their products, and services to be directly benefiting. It also showcases the brilliant brands and enterprises we have here. This is just what this event and future planned ones are about.”
North Somerset Council’s consultation on the planning application to increase capacity to 12 million passengers a year runs until 26 January. More information can be found at www.n-somerset.gov.uk, where views can be registered.
 
So I used Bristol this weekend as part of a mini break to Seville. Haven’t travelled from the airport in 2 years so was interesting to see some of the changes and the amount of work happening now.

Stayed at the Hilton the night before. Expensive I thought fir what it was.. The Room did feel quite cheap.. they could easily fill another two floors.. if they continue to expand they might have to or maybe get another on site as some competition.
Silverzone was very good. Easy and nice and big area to check in..

Really impressed with security and immigration. Massive improvement. I assume all the building work by the old terminal is fir aircraft parking and new walkways?

I have to say I can’t see how the terminal can take 12 million. It’s actually still quite small when you have 20 or so flights departing..

All in all it was a good trip. The airport is coming on nicely..

The flight incidentally was full both ways. On the flight I got into a chatting with someone who usually travels with jet 2.. he raved over them, much better product than Ryanair. Maybe them rocking up at Bristol if it happened might not be such a bad thing (although I dont personally like the idea of a pure loco airport)
 
The work next to the old terminal building is indeed for new aircraft parking stands - two I believe - after which the OTB is due for demolition to make room for further aircraft parking and an Eastern Walkway link.

The current planning application before the local authority to enable the airport to handle 12 mppa by the mid-2020s includes and expanded terminal. There have been several expansions since the terminal opened in 2000.

Did you fly with easyJet to Seville? I note the flights were full. When I do the occasional check with seat selectors easyJet usually seems to do better than Ryanair on routes on which they compete. That has been the case with both Seville and Sofia (the new routes this winter on which they compete, although easyJet began Seville themselves last summer) whenever I've looked.

Very pleased you enjoyed your trip.
 
I went with Ryanair.. couldn’t not at £60.00 return for two!!
On the way back I have to say a good proportion of the flight were Spanish so good for inbound visitors. Was a Seville based aircraft which means flights back were very early!
 
I went with Ryanair.. couldn’t not at £60.00 return for two!!
On the way back I have to say a good proportion of the flight were Spanish so good for inbound visitors. Was a Seville based aircraft which means flights back were very early!
That surprises me. Just shows that casual perusal of seat selectors are of limited value when it comes to assessing loads. easyJet loads were certainly high (if the seat selector is any sort of guide) when I looked a few days ago at the next flights to operate on the Seville route.

How close to the departure date was the fare you paid?
 
APD Devolution to Wales

There are some posts in the CWL General thread regarding a recent meeting of the Welsh Affairs Committee at Westminster that looked at devolving APD to Wales.

Prior to the meeting various organisations submitted written evidence, including Bristol Airport.

Within the BRS submission was this remark: However, continued speculation about the potential devolution of APD to Wales is unhelpful when negotiating with airlines considering operating new routes to serve the South West of the UK.

It could be interpreted in a number of ways but the BRS management must have considered it sufficiently important to have included the remark.

The snag is that unless or until APD is devolved to Wales there will always be uncertainty that it might be devolved, ergo I can't see how that uncertainty can be removed short of devolving the tax - unless the Westminster government abolished it altogether around the UK. The UK government did say last year that devolution of the tax to Wales might be reviewed again following the UK's departure from the EU.

Its latest statement on the subject came in the Green Paper on the future of aviation until 2050 that was published just before Christmas when it reiterated that it has no plans to return to the APD question (in all its forms - my italics) other than a review on devolving short haul APD to Northern Ireland.
 
It may explain why there have been no new airlines rocking up at brs for the last year or two plus the likes of Ryanair not expanding
 
It may explain why there have been no new airlines rocking up at brs for the last year or two plus the likes of Ryanair not expanding
Which would mean the effect could be indefinite if APD devolution continued to be talked about but remained an elusive goal for the Welsh Government. If APD was devolved that would have a considerable negative effect on BRS according to the airport's submission to the Welsh Affairs Commission. So it could be a lose-lose situation.

Having said all this, the airport management and owners must be confident that it's not all bad news otherwise why the rush to get the 10 mppa limit raised and yet more large slices of cash expended on more expansion now and in the near future?
 
That is definitely true which probably means that the main operator plans big expansion in the near future or someone new is preparing to start services ?
 

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9 trips in 9 days done 70 miles walked and over 23-00 photos taken with a large number taken at 20mph or above. Heavy rain on 1 day only
5 trips done and 45 miles walked,. Also the RAF has had 4 F35B Lightning follow me yesterday and today....
My plans got altered slightly as one of the minibus companies had to cancel 3 trips and refunded me but will be getting nice discount when I rebook them.
wondering why on my "holidays" I choose to get up 2 hours earlier than when going to work. 6 trips in 6 days soon coming up with 3 more days to sort out

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