Bristol Airport - General Thread

[TheLocalYokel]

So construction hasn't started yet, for some reason I thought it had. If it's on for a July start you would assume an operator has been, or is close to being, secured as I'm sure they would want to put their own spec on number & size of rooms, restaurant facilities etc.

It's why I'm still rather sceptical at the moment. The onsite hotel issue has been smouldering away for so many years that I'll only be convinced when building work actually begins.

 

[Ray Finkle]

It does seem to have dragged on and on. What is the situation with hotels in the vicinity of the airport? I'm unfamiliar with the area but a quick search shows the nearest hotel as the Holiday Inn Bristol Airport which Laterooms shows as 3 miles from the airport, not a horrendous distance but something on site would be much more convenient.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

It does seem to have dragged on and on. What is the situation with hotels in the vicinity of the airport? I'm unfamiliar with the area but a quick search shows the nearest hotel as the Holiday Inn Bristol Airport which Laterooms shows as 3 miles from the airport, not a horrendous distance but something on site would be much more convenient.

The Bristol Airport Holiday Inn, three miles south along the A38 is the largest in the immediate neighbourhood. It was built in the last decade on the site of a former 1930s American-style roadhouse which later became a motel.

There are several other smaller hotels in nearby villages, some niche and relatively expensive such as the Doubletree by Hilton, plus guest houses/self-catering units and at least one motel some of which also offer car parking whilst customers are away holidaying/engaged in business.

I think that most of these facilities do rather well out of the airport's presence. How much an onsite hotel would negatively affect them remains to be seen.

So far as I'm aware visiting fight crews use city hotels.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

[textarea]Bristol Airport soars despite falling demand for chartered flights

Falling demand for charter flights has been more than offset by a sharp increase in passenger numbers on scheduled flights to and from Bristol Airport, according to newly published accounts.

Chief executive officer Robert Sinclair told Insider that it was encouraging to see more scheduled journey bookings at the airport, which has enjoyed one of its busiest ever years.

In its latest set of accounts, Bristol Airport recorded its fourth consecutive year of passenger growth in the 2013 calendar year. Passenger numbers increased by 3.4 per cent to 6.1 million.

It is only the second time that the airport has handled more than six million passengers in a year, with the facility edging closer to its all-time record of 6.2 million set in 2008.

However, this growth has not been shared evenly across its three key markets – chartered, low-cost and full-service. A report accompanying the accounts, signed by Sinclair, has revealed that demand for charter flights is actually shrinking.[/textarea]

Full article at - http://www.insidermedia.com/insider/sou ... ed-flights

The airport made a pre-tax profit of £25.8 million in 2013, an increase of 15.6% on the previous year. Turnover was up by 7.2% at £65.1 million.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

[textarea]Sponsors announced for tour's Bath stage

Airline KLM and Bristol Airport will be sponsoring the Bath stage start of the Tour of Britain cycle race later this year.

The sixth stage of the Tour of Britain will see riders leaving Bath on Friday, September 12.

Bath and North East Somerset Council, KLM and the airport say they are looking forward to welcoming thousands of spectators who will arrive to witness the professional cyclists lead the race through the city.

KLM operates four flights daily from Bristol Airport, flying passengers to 800 short and long haul destinations worldwide via a "smooth connection" in Amsterdam.[/textarea]
Full report at - http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/Sponsors ... story.html

 

[alphagolf]

A good report on the Bristol Business News online regarding record passengers and the recent opening of the central walkway/pier and the future prospect of long haul routes and an air bridge to service the type of aircraft that would operate such routes.

Bristol Airport passenger numbers hit new high as airlines map out new routes


July 18, 2014
By Robert Buckland

Bristol Airport has recorded its busiest June ever, handling more than 646,000 passengers during the month. The increase comes as a number of airlines introduce new services to meet growing demand and a new £6.5m central walkway, which opened last week, paves the way for the airport to handle long-haul aircraft.

The development means the airport will be able to attract twin-engine, wide-body jets such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and will be followed by an airbridge for passengers boarding potential long-haul flights in future.

June’s passenger numbers represent a 3.34% increase over the same period last year, which was a previous record. Passenger numbers for the last 12 months reached 6.23m, passing the record total for a calendar year achieved in 2008 for the first time.

There was particularly strong performance on Aer Lingus Regional’s Dublin service, which exceeded 8,000 passengers in a calendar month for the first time. There was also strong year-on-year growth on bmi regional routes to Frankfurt and Munich as the airline’s codeshare agreement with Lufthansa generates additional traffic.

Another factor, the airport said, was the introduction of a larger aircraft on KLM’s four times daily service between Bristol and Amsterdam. The airline carried nearly 20,000 passengers on the route which opens up connections to hundreds of destinations worldwide via KLM’s Schiphol hub.

A summer service between Bristol and Stockholm also launched last month. Operated by Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), the twice-weekly flight is already proving popular with Scandinavian tourists as well as travellers from across the South West and South Wales visiting Sweden.

The new walkway includes four new pre-boarding zones serving up to six departure gates. The 3,880 sq m structure connects directly to the departure lounge and is served by an escalator, six lifts, food and drink vending, and toilet facilities to ensure passenger comfort levels.

Bristol Airport aviation director Shaun Browne said: “The strong performance across all airline sectors is particularly encouraging, with business, leisure and inbound traffic all contributing to June’s record passenger numbers.

“New facilities are in place to ensure we maintain service levels as passenger numbers continue to grow, and we are already focusing on further improvements we can bring to the route network from Bristol.”

Link: http://www.bristol-business.net/bri...-hit-new-high-as-airlines-map-out-new-routes/

 

[TheLocalYokel]

A good report on the Bristol Business News online regarding record passengers and the recent opening of the central walkway/pier and the future prospect of long haul routes and an air bridge to service the type of aircraft that would operate such routes.

Thanks for that alphagolf.

It's a minor point but I wonder why BRS continues to use its own passenger figures in its press releases which are lower than the CAA's each month/year (because BRS doesn't count under twos in its figures unlike the CAA, and for other reasons I'm told). The CAA showed over 653,000 for June.

I note that Aer Lingus Regional exceeded 8,000 passengers in the month for the first time on its DUB service but it has to be remembered that Ryanair dropped from 3 x daily to 2 x daily in June on the DUB and won't be back to 3 x daily until September. Ryanair must have handled over 16,000 passengers in June then. It's not often we get a breakdown of passenger figures where two or more airlines operate a route.

The same applies with AMS so the 'nearly 20,000' on KLM Cityhopper's service must mean that easyJet carried about 11,000 passengers on the route.

The B 787/long haul comment was interesting if we make the not unreasonable assumption that it was prompted by the airport in an interview or in a press release (no press release on the airport's website) and it would suggest the withdrawal of the TOM long haul, and the failure to replace the routes next year now that their 787s are becoming more numerous, tends towards the conclusion that it was a commercial decision and not an operational one.

In one sense that's disappointing because BRS should be able to support a couple of weekly summer transatlantic sun charters but for the longer term it's reassuring if it doesn't rule out the 787 at BRS permanently.

 

[forest1979]

Interesting read on the net.. probably more about Cardiff in here but talks about the race to get a middle east carrier into one of the airports... who will win if any?

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/b ... ff-7494547

:s_dunno

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Interesting read on the net.. probably more about Cardiff in here but talks about the race to get a middle east carrier into one of the airports... who will win if any?

Your last two words are something that the author seems to have missed, and may be the most likely.

From a commercial perspective the Bristol primary catchment is much larger and considerably wealthier in both the leisure and business sectors, with its geographical position also enabling it to draw in passengers from the more distant South West as well as from South Wales, the Thames Valley and south Midlands, which it does with considerable success, even if the last few miles to the airport itself aren't amongst the most free-flowing roads in the country.

If one of the MEB3 did want to set up home at Severnside, and I think it's a huge if - at least in the immediate future - and used a wide bodied aircraft there still seems to be a question mark over BRS's ability to handle such types, even the new ones such as the B 787 and A 350.

So in summary it would seem that purely on commercial grounds (although freight might be an issue for an airport with no warehousing/storage and set in a green belt) BRS would win out, but if operational matters intruded then CWL would be the more likely.

There is also the possibility of government playing a part in the form of devolving APD to Wales and Scotland.

In the end Turkish Airlines to Istanbul might be the one that pitches up on Severnside rather than one of the MEB3.

Incidentally, Sion Barry is well informed on the Welsh economic scene and political matters affecting business in the country, and he often echoes the views of Wales's First Minister, Carwyn Jones, when it comes to talking about CWL which makes me wonder whether they've recently had lunch together.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Macquarie looking to sell its share in Bristol Airport

The Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund is looking to sell its 50% stake in Bristol Airport according to the report linked below. It's believed the Macquarie holding could be worth between £200 million and £250 million.

The Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan owns 49% (the remaining 1% is owned by Sydney Airport) and is thought to be interested in acquiring full control.

http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/bus ... 439220.ece

 

[Ray Finkle]

Does Wales have anything similar to the route development fund that appears to be fuelling all the recent expansion up at EDI? If so it could swing it one way or the other as I'm sure I've recently read that Turkish were after £1 million incentive to start up a route to Belfast, I'm not sure how deep the pockets are at BRS but that's a hell of a lot of money.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Does Wales have anything similar to the route development fund that appears to be fuelling all the recent expansion up at EDI? If so it could swing it one way or the other as I'm sure I've recently read that Turkish were after £1 million incentive to start up a route to Belfast, I'm not sure how deep the pockets are at BRS but that's a hell of a lot of money.

Both Scotland and Wales had route development funds until 2007 when changes to EU regulations made them much less useful, in consequence of which they were both discontinued. Scotland's had been much more successful in attracting new routes than Wales's.

Northern Ireland, North West England and North East England also had route development funds.

Early this year the EU clarified its advice regarding state aid to airlines allowing 50% of airport charges for new destinations over a three year period. In the last budget the chancellor also allowed airports to apply for a share of the UK regional air connectivity fund (£20 million pot) for start-up routes to increase connectivity and boost local economies.

Because of the previously mentioned EU state aid clarification the UK regional air connectivity fund state aid in this form is limited to airports with less than 3 mppa.

S0 CWL would appear to qualify for this state aid but BRS would not.

Incidentally, I don't think that MEIF's desire to sell its stake in BRS has anything to do with profitability.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

The Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund is looking to sell its 50% stake in Bristol Airport according to the report linked below. It's believed the Macquarie holding could be worth between £200 million and £250 million.

The Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan owns 49% (the remaining 1% is owned by Sydney Airport) and is thought to be interested in acquiring full control.

It's reported that the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan is keen to acquire MEIF's 50% holding in BRS which would give it full control of the airport.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/07/2 ... 3N20140728

 

[TheLocalYokel]

[textarea]European first as Bristol Airport achieves new safety standard

Bristol Airport has become the first airport in Europe to transition to new safety specifications under harmonised European regulations.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is at the heart of a new Europe-wide regulatory system, with UK airports required to comply with its rules by 2018. Bristol Airport was one of a small group of airports selected to work with the UK Civil Aviation Authority to trial the transition from a CAA Aerodrome Licence to an EASA Certificate.

Following 18 months’ work, Bristol Airport received final sign off all required certification today (28 July) – becoming the first airport in Europe to complete the process.

Before being awarded the new EASA Certificate, the Airport was required to demonstrate that its design, equipment and infrastructure meets EASA specifications and that organisational structures and operating procedures also satisfy the new requirements.

Paul Davies, Operations Director at Bristol Airport, said:
“Successful transition to the EASA regulations is a clear demonstration of our commitment to safety and operational excellence. Achieving this standard several years ahead of deadline and before any other airport in Europe stands us in good stead as we continue to build new infrastructure to facilitate further growth.”

Graeme Ritchie, Manager Aerodromes, CAA said:
“We are delighted to have worked with industry throughout, notably Bristol, Aberdeen and Norwich airports. As the aerodrome involved in the first trial, Bristol has helped us greatly to refine and develop our thinking and approach to certification, for which we are grateful. I know too that they have been positive in their support for the process, both with us and with colleagues across industry – thank you. I wish the airport continuing success”.

Last month Bristol Airport recorded its busiest ever June, serving over 646,000 passengers. This represented a 3.34 per cent increase over the same period last year, which was also the previous record. Passenger numbers for the last 12 months also reached 6.23 million, surpassing the record total for a calendar year achieved in 2008 for the first time.

The outlook for the rest of summer is equally positive, with new facilities now in place to enhance the airport experience for passengers. A £6.5m central walkway opened last week and includes four new pre-boarding zones serving up to six departure gates. The 3,880 square metre structure connects directly to the departure lounge and is served by an escalator, six lifts, food and drink vending, and toilet facilities to ensure passenger comfort levels.

The design of the new facility takes into account the latest generation of twin-engine, wide-body jets, such as the Boeing 787, with provision made for the addition of an airbridge for passengers boarding potential long-haul flights in future.[/textarea]
http://www.bristolairport.co.uk/media-c ... ndard.aspx

This is a Bristol Airport press release so I've reproduced it in full.

 

[superking]

Well this time of year again with the baloon festival.
with all the baloons flying twice a day ,weather permitting . guess atc will have a very heavy workload, and i must say in years gone past they have done a very good job, as it must be hard in where they go and also a lot of funny departures/arrivals with the aircrafts into brs.
they were saying on the news this morning that the fiesta generates a fair amount of pax into brs and also private charters.
so all in all a good job all round and long may it continue. i think its 35 years this year that it began from its humble beginnings.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

The Balloon Fiesta is so dependent on the weather. So far there have been two mass ascents including some of the special shapes that seem to need very benign wind conditions. The weather is better than that forecast earlier in the week although tomorrow the winds are forecast to pick up. Sunday is still an outside chance for a visit from the remnants of Hurricane Bertha.

It's reckoned about half a million people visit the festival over its four days although some will be people going every day I would imagine. It is a money spinner though for the city region - probably on a par with the annual Harbour Festival amongst the city's many weekend festivals in summer.

No Red Arrows this year although they were at the airport in June for the Weston Air Day but the RAF Typhoon team has arrived at BRS for the Balloon Fiesta according to BRS Twitter.

I have some cine film I took in 1979 at the fiesta when it was a smaller event than it is now but then you were allowed close up and personal with the balloons as they took off - no health and safety over protection in our lives in those days.

Fingers crossed that the weather is kind for the weekend.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Ownership

It looks as though the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan does intend to exercise its first refusal rights and purchase the 50% of the airport being sold by the Macquarie European Infrastructure fund which would give it ownership of 99% of the airport.

http://www.pionline.com/article/2014081 ... -portfolio

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Airport magazine

The latest edition of the airport's magazine Your Airport can be viewed online at this link.

http://www.bristolairport.co.uk/~/media ... ort-8.ashx

 

[Aviador]

I notice there's a snippet about the airport hotel in there which is good because the project had gone rather quiet causing speculation about the future of the new hotel development. Have any new renders been released since the re-design?

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I notice there's a snippet about the airport hotel in there which is good because the project had gone rather quiet causing speculation about the future of the new hotel development. Have any new renders been released since the re-design?

Not that I'm aware. There was a mention in the minutes of the last airport consultative committee meeting (held 30 July this year) that merely acknowledged that planning consent had been obtained.

It was thought that construction was to start in July this year. It's a saga that's been going on for so long that I'd never bet any money on when it will begin to be built.