Infrastructure, Construction & Developments

[TheLocalYokel]

Can anyone tell me the purpose of the work next to the rental car area?

A large area of the nearby car park is being dug up.

Answering my own question, I was at the airport this week and asked one of the workmen.

This sizeable area of car park is being re-surfaced.

The three new aircraft stands at the far end of the western apron seem be nearing completion (due this month according to airport CEO at recent consultative committee meeting) though there is still a lot of activity there with diggers and earth-movers in evidence.

A considerable amount of spoil seems to have been (is being) deposited to build up a nearby embankment next to a lane leading to the public highway.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Airport Hotel

Posted by alphagolf 7 October 2011.

Taking a look at North Somerset Council Planning Portal I can now see that the Airport Hotel has also been given Final Planning Permission on the 3rd October 2011 so again, I would imagine quite a lot of building work commencing at the airport shortly! Things seem to be moving along a bit now, with important pieces in the jigsaw for making the airport experience better for both passengers and partners

This is starting to become a bit of a saga. I understood that work was to begin this year with an opening date of 2013.

However, in the minutes of the last consultative committee meeting in April which have been published on the airport website this week Robert Sinclair, the airport CEO, commented on the progress of several capital projects being undertaken but did not mention the hotel.

Later, in response to a question about the hotel from a member of the committee, the CEO replied that it was an ongoing project but that there were no new developments to report at this stage.

Can't help wondering if it's currently stalled.

 

[tpm]

Someone pointed out this article recently, don't remember where though: "Bristol Airport under pressure to refinance debt" - wonder if that might affect the expansion plans at all.

At least the new stands seem to be ready now.

 

[Aviador]

Someone pointed out this article recently, don't remember where though: "Bristol Airport under pressure to refinance debt" - wonder if that might affect the expansion plans at all.

At least the new stands seem to be ready now.

Interesting article. Does Bristol airport actually make money? This might seem an odd question but Peel owned Liverpool airport is barely making any money even though it is carrying around 5m passenger each year.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Interesting article. Does Bristol airport actually make money? This might seem an odd question but Peel owned Liverpool airport is barely making any money even though it is carrying around 5m passenger each year.

It makes money in the sense that it achieves a healthy operating profit. The last figures I saw were two or three years ago when it had an operating profit that year of around £27 million on a turnover of about £57 million. However, the profit was taken by its shareholders to service loans they had made which was criticised by airport opponents because this (perfectly legally) manoeuvre avoided the payment of corporation tax.

In the early years of the century the airport's shareholders included Macquarie funds that took advantage of the amounts of cash the airport was generating. The other shareholder then was Ferrovial through a subsidiary called Cintra.

When Ferrovial acquired BAA it divested itself of its part-ownership of BRS on competition grounds. Ferrovial said the refinancing of BRS when it was part-owner was one of the best deals the Group had ever done - but that was in the days of seemingly endless airport and passenger growth everywhere, and for ten years BRS had grown at more than double the UK airport average.

Macquarie has shuffled the way it owns the airport in recent years so that Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund 1 owns 50%, Ontario Teachers Pension Plan (with nearly £50 billion worth of worldwide infrastructure assets) about 49% and the rest (around 1%) is owned by Sydney Airport.

The current ownership suggest a concentration more on the value of the asset (and a need to increase its value) than the earlier 'cash cow' nature of some of the funds that were part of Macquarie's ownership, though clearly there is still a strong need to run a profitable airport.

I suspect that the airports owners have been fully aware for some time that their refinancing would not be as smooth as in 2005 when the world's economy was at a different level and banks and other sources were almost falling over themselves to lend money to what they believed were low risks. A prudent owner, which I believe the BRS shareholders to be, would have factored this into their expansion plans, contracts for which have been advertised in recent months in the trade press and at least one important one already signed.

The refinancing does not fall due until the autumn of 2013.

The airport hotel is a separate entity and was not part of the general major expansion plans.

 

[Aviador]

I've just been looking at the plans for the terminal extensions and although slightly off-topic I notice a multi-storey car-park is shown in the illustrations. Is that going to be part of the development?

Source: bristol247.com

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I've just been looking at the plans for the terminal extensions and although slightly off-topic I notice a multi-storey car-park is shown in the illustrations. Is that going to be part of the development?

It's certainly in the overall expansion plans, as shown in the picture.

The airport management always said the expansion would be done incrementally as passenger numbers build. The original timetable was slowed because of the time it took to get the expansion plans approved and then see off legal challenges ( several years more than anticipated) and now the recession has reduced the pace of growth.

It seems the first major part of the expansion to go ahead will an extension of the western end of the terminal building, with the eastern end to be expanded in due course, the two taken together effectively doubling the current terminal capacity.

At what stage the multi-storey car parks and transport interchange will be constructed hasn't been made clear so far as I can establish.

Because the BRS terminal is built into the side of a hill and the ground slopes further away landside beyond the terminal building the design of much of the infrastructure expansion takes account of the topography.

It's not so easy to see this in the video.

 

[alphagolf]

Bristol Airport News Release: Friday 22nd June 2012

Transport Secretary opens Bristol Airport development

The first phase of development plans which will ultimately enable Bristol Airport to handle 10 million passengers a year was officially opened by the Secretary of State for Transport today (Friday 22 June).

The Rt Hon Justine Greening MP cut a ribbon to mark the completion of three new aircraft stands – the first of more than 30 separate projects which will enable growth over the next decade.

Each stand has a fixed electrical ground power source, and strict rules govern the use of aircraft auxiliary power units and mobile diesel units in order to reduce noise levels for local residents. The new stands are key to increasing capacity for more aircraft to operate from Bristol, which is currently the fifth largest airport outside London.

With a comprehensive planning approval for infrastructure required to handle predicted growth to 2020 and beyond, Bristol Airport is well placed to meet future demand for air travel from the South West. New facilities and an extended route network will provide more convenient travel options for many of the five million passengers from the region currently flying from London airports.

Developments will include the extension of the terminal building to almost double its size; a new public transport interchange; further aircraft parking stands; and an on-site hotel. A comprehensive package of controls, monitoring and mitigation is in place, including substantial contributions to two major transport schemes in the West of England (the South Bristol Link and Bus Rapid Transit) to improve surface access to the Airport.

Transport Secretary, Justine Greening, said:
“Regional airports such as Bristol have a vital role to play in the life and success of our country, providing the connections, jobs and infrastructure we need to drive economic growth. The work I have seen at Bristol will stand the airport in good stead to serve the needs of regional passengers and businesses for many years to come. I welcome the investment that has gone into these improvements and look forward to seeing Bristol play a full part in the future of UK aviation.“

Robert Sinclair, Chief Executive Officer at Bristol Airport, said:
“This is the start of an exciting journey for Bristol Airport, and I am delighted that the Secretary of State for Transport, Justine Greening, will be joining us to mark the occasion. The Government recognises the value of regional airports, and I am sure the Secretary of State will enjoy seeing first hand how Bristol Airport can contribute to a sustainable future for UK aviation.”

Improvements to existing facilities are also underway, with an additional immigration facility opening this summer and an expanded security search area already in place to increase the efficiency of these essential processes and reduce queues at peak times.

Good that Bristol is getting itself noticed in the wider UK aviation debate!

alphagolf

 

[Aviador]

Thanks for posting that alphagolf, It's good to see an official update with where they are with everything.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Good that Bristol is getting itself noticed in the wider UK aviation debate!

When Theresa Villiers (now the number 2 in the transport ministry) was the shadow transport secretary she was very cool on the prospects of BRS gaining any benefit if the London airports' growth was restricted.

Because she went to Bristol University the Bristol Evening Post interviewed Villiers about the airport's future some three or four years ago. She said then that BHX was in a far better position to take displaced traffic from LHR.

It is good therefore to hear the present number one in the transport ministry at least make some of the right noises in regard to the airport, though she'd be unlikely to be too negative at today's ceremony.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

[textarea]Bristol Airport looks to local supplied for fixed electrical ground power

New aircraft stands which mark the first phase of Bristol Airport’s development over the next decade feature electrical ground power units installed by a local North Somerset company, Powervamp Ltd.

The Weston-super-Mare based firm specialises in power systems for the aviation and automotive sectors. With clients all over the world, the Powervamp team regularly use Bristol Airport as passengers, and the company can now add its local airport to a growing list of customers.

By increasing capacity for aircraft, the stands are vital in enabling more airlines and routes to operate to and from Bristol Airport in future. The new stands were constructed at a cost of around £5 million and were officially opened by the Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt Hon Justine Greening MP, last week (22 June).

Over 15,000 tonnes of recycled aggregates were used to construct the stands, and half a mile of acoustic fencing has been installed to help shield local properties from aircraft ground noise. Strict rules govern the use of aircraft auxiliary power units and mobile diesel units on the new stands in order to reduce noise levels. As a result, fixed electrical ground power sources are essential for aircraft to run on-board electrical systems while on the ground.

Andrew Goodenough, Head of Development at Bristol Airport, said:
“The new stands are key to our ability to meet demand for air travel to and from the South West and fixed electrical ground power was essential to their design. We needed a system which delivered environmental benefits as well as meeting the needs of our airline customers, who require a reliable power source to maintain on-time performance.

“Powervamp has delivered a high quality, cost-effective solution with bespoke IT installations to link to the Airport’s systems.”[/textarea]

http://www.bristolairport.co.uk/media-c ... power.aspx

This is an airport press release so I've copied it in full.

It's incredible to think that three new aircraft stands cost £5 million and that over 15,000 tonnes of recycled aggregates were used in the construction.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

[textarea]Work begins on new lounge at Bristol Airport

Work is underway on a £600,000 project to create a new lounge at Bristol Airport. Bearing the Aspire by Servisair brand, the new facility will see the current executive lounge relocated, resulting in a 50 per cent increase in space.

The new Aspire by Servisair lounge will offer an improved product for business and leisure passengers when it opens in spring 2013, with greater levels of comfort in a stylishly designed environment. The new location includes kitchen facilities, meaning that the complimentary menu will include hot food as well as snacks and premium brand drinks.

A series of distinct zones will cater for the differing requirements of business and leisure passengers, depending on whether they want to do some last minute work before boarding or relax ahead of a holiday flight. Families will also be welcome, with a new entertainment area complete with personal televisions. Specially designed side tables provide charging facilities for laptops, iPads or games consoles and the lounge will include toilet facilities.

The lounge development is part of an overall strategy to enhance facilities for business passengers using Bristol Airport. Recent improvements include an extension to the Premier Car Park, an enhanced Fast Track security product and improvements to the boarding gate used by full-service scheduled airlines.

Kate Ridgers, Commercial Development Manager at Bristol Airport, said:
“Once completed, the new lounge will significantly enhance the passenger experience at Bristol Airport, enabling business passengers to make best use of their time in the terminal and giving holidaymakers the opportunity to start their break in style. We are confident it will prove popular when it opens next spring.”

Shaun Weston, Travel Services Director at Servisair, commented:
“We have long wanted to improve our lounge facility at Bristol Airport and give customers a much enhanced experience. This new space has not only given us the opportunity to add more room but has also allowed us to further expand our Aspire by Servisair brand concept, vastly improving the product that we offer guests through an enhanced food offering and other improvements.”

Entry to the new Aspire by Servisair lounge will start from as little as £17.49 per adult and £9.99 for children when booked online. Walk up prices on the day will be £19.95 per adult and £10.95 for children.

Passengers will also be able to take advantage of Servisair’s LoungeMiles™ rewards scheme which entitles customers to one free lounge pass or a £5 gift voucher from retailers such as Boots, John Lewis or M&S, for every five visits made.[/textarea]

This is an airport press release at http://www.bristolairport.co.uk/media-c ... ounge.aspx

Doesn't say where the new lounge will be located.

This airport seems to have been on a non-stop programme of enhancements since this century began and the major expansion has not even begun yet.

Not complaining, just commenting.

 

[Aviador]

£600,000 sound like a lot of money but it wont go far these day but it's good to see the investment all the same.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Firms land £150m Bristol Airport revamp framework Ι Construction Enquirer

The latest preparatory step has been taken along the road to the major expansion with 13 companies selected to bid for work on the various schemes in due course.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Major Infrastructure Expansion

Further to my previous post, an airport spokesman appeared on the local BBC radio station this morning in connection with the pool of contractors selected in a 'framework (a device created to avoid lengthy EU procurement rules) to carry out the various works involved.

The spokesman said that the next piece of work would be the creation of a central walkway equipped with air bridges. BRS has not previously featured air bridges.

He gave no indication as to when work would commence but I've heard rumours over the past few weeks that it could be as early as the current winter.

The BBC also reckons work on the onsite hotel will commence soon.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-20971470

 

[tpm]

Came across North Somerset planning application 12/P/2270/NMA - non-material amendment to the outline application - thanks to a poster in another forum. Thought some bits from the cover letter might be of interest (might be garbled in places, apologies for that):

The amendments fall into the following main categories:

1. Amendment related to passenger service improvements
Minor amendments are indicated to the footprint and elevations of the building as a result changes to the internal circulation routes to improve wayfinding and vertical circulation between the two floors of the building. In particular, following passenger feedback relating to the existing Western Walkway, we are proposing to install more lifts and an escalator in the Central Walkway and Gate Lounge than were anticipated on the approved drawings. The wayfinding improvements also include external canopies which provide an external pedestrian route for the use of arriving domestic passengers and international passengen from certain aircraft stands. The approved scheme assumed that passengers arriving from UK domestic destinations would be able to use the main arrivals corridor, sharing it with international passengers, as is the practice at a number of other UK airports. However, unfortunately, it has not been possible to secure UK Border Agency approval to this arrangement at Bristol and this amendment is needed to avoid unnecessay airside coaching of passengers. The drawings also indicate a number of improvements to the toilet provision.

2. Amendment to the Stand layout
Stand 3 has been reduced in size so that an improved safety clearance can be provided between aircraft manoeuvring on to the stand and the adjacent road in accordance with the latest advice from the Civil Aviation Authority. The reconfiguration of the Eastern Apron to the final layout will not take place until the Eastern Walkway is completed. Therefore stands 4 and 5 will initially remain in their existing canfiguration when the Central Gate Lounge is brought into use, pending the later phases of development. Stand 5 is proposed to be configured so that it can accommodate occasional use by a Boeing 787. This will be achieved by the use of pavement marking. The stand arrangement that will be in place on opening of the Central Walkway and Gate Lounge is shown on drawing P2-801.

3. Amendment related to the proposed phasing development
This next phase of Walkway development will include the Walkway in front of the
Terminal Building (the Central Walkway), the Central Gate Lounge and a short length of the Eastern Walkway up to the existing fomard Coaching Lounge. The extension of the Walkway further to the east of the Terminal Building will be constructed as part of a later phase. ln the meantime it is proposed that a new vertical circulation core be provided to link the first phase af Walkway development with the Forward Coaching Lounge.This will provide a new enclosed and much improved route for passengers between the Terminal Building and the Forward Coaching Lounge replacing the existing rather basic structure. The details of this are shown on drawing P2-801.

4. Boeing 787 operations
The planning application envisaged that the Boeing 787 or Airbus A350 would become the future first choice mid-sized aircraft for airlines operating medium to long haul routes out of Bristol Airport. When the planning application was prepared the Boeing 787 was still in the early stages of design and advice from Boeing at the time indicated that aircraft likely to use Bristol Airporl would be configured to accommodate up to around 260 passengers. The gate lounges were therefore sized on this basis. However the design of the aircraft has developed since then and the aircraft being delivered to airlines likely to operate from Bristol Airport are now expected to be configured to accommodate between 290 and 310 passengers. The additional seating capacity has been achieved within the same airframe by increasing the number seats abreast the aircraft. Pending completion of the Eastern Walkway it is proposed that stand 5 will be made available for Boeing 787 use. A small increase in the width of the Central Gate Lounge is therefore proposed so that the increased aircraft load can be accommodated without jeopardising passenger service and comfort standards.

5. Airbridge design
The Central Gate Lounge includes airbridge access to the aircraft on stand 5. Design of the airbridge and the link bridge has now been developed in conjunction with the proposed supplier of the equipment. This work has identified that the node between the airbridge and the fixed link bridge to the gate lounge needs to be moved south in order to ensure that the gradient inside the airbridge does not exceed the maximum allowab1e. The link between the gate lounge and the airbridge has therefore been reconfigured to suit and is now shown as a corridor along the face of the first floor of the building teading to a bridge link to the airbridge node.

6. Elevations
The elevations have been generally rearranged to suit the proposed amendments. The drawings also show a number of minor changes to the roof design which are a result of technical design issues identified during the design of the Western Walkway.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Thanks for drawing that to attention, tpm.

Seems a routine application and the nearest parish councils have told the local authority that they have no objections.

The remarks re the Boeing 787 are perhaps worthy of reflection.

It is said that stand 5 will be be for 'occasional use by a Boeing 787'. It will no doubt be used for other aircraft as well.

Later in the letter is said, 'Pending completion of the Eastern Walkway it is proposed that stand 5 will be made available for Boeing 787 use.'

So what is 'occasional use'? Currently in summer there are two weekend long haul TOM rotations (to Sanford and to Cancun) using B 767s. Is that occasional use of the B 767?

And whatever occasional use is deemed to be, will it remain until the Eastern Walkway is completed?

Another point made in the letter is that the 787 will now have more seats than originally envisaged and therefore presumably will be heavier. How much will that impact on its ability to serve longer haul (than are served at present) destinations from the airport?

 

[TheLocalYokel]

[textarea]Bristol Airport based Bristol Flying Centre (BFC) Group has opened its newly expanded FBO in time to handle a huge increase in business.

The 6,500 square foot FBO has doubled from its previous size to offer two separate lounges for private and charter flights and will become fully DFT compliant, providing the ability to handle non-derogated flights over 10 tonnes for the first time. The facility also features a separate crew lounge and redesigned passenger reception areas.

The FBO, which is the only one at Bristol Airport and the only fully equipped facility in the South West of England, has recently seen a massive increase in handling business resulting in a 1700 percent growth in annual passenger numbers.

Bristol Flying Centre Group, which incorporates the operator Centreline Air Charter, already employs 46 staff at the facility and has increased the numbers to handle its continuously growing business.[/textarea]

Full report at: http://www.blueskyexecutiveaviation.co. ... siness.htm

The Airbus Corporate Shuttle passengers use the BFC lounges for their flights to/from Toulouse and Hawarden with bmi regional, up to 3,000 passengers a month at present.

The compex is on the south side of the airfield (ie, on the opposite of the runway to the main airport infrastructure) in the general aviation area.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Airport hotel

Still no positive news re a start date so far as I can see.

This saga seems to have been going on for years. With planning permission in place and various announcements over the past two or three years that construction was imminent it might reasonably be expected that the hotel would be built by now, or at least well on its way.

The rumours about starting the construction of the central pier and airbridge (the airport's first) in the winter haven't come to fruition, although in fairness the airport never said it would start then.

Anyone heard any news on either?

 

[Aviador]

Didn't the airport have to renegotiate it's debt with the banks last year? Do you think that could have any implications with respects to the airports plans to expand?