Spring flights point way to busy summer

(26/03/10)

The start of spring will see a range of new routes launched at Bristol Airport, with several new services taking off this weekend (27-28 March).

Flybe launches a three times weekly flight between Bristol and the Isle of Man this Sunday (28 March). The airline will also increase the frequency of its Jersey service, with a daily flight operating from 1 May throughout the summer. This new route will link two of the world’s most iconic motor cycle events – the Isle of Man TT Race and the Weston Beach Race.

Ryanair will launch four new destinations in the space of two days, starting with Palma, Faro and Gdansk on Sunday (28 March) and culminating with Venice-Treviso the following day. This will take the total number of routes operated by the airline at Bristol to 34.

Sunday will also see another well-known Irish airline return to Bristol Airport. Aer Lingus Regional will take over operation of the existing Cork service, increasing the frequency to six flights a week. Bristol was the destination of Aer Lingus’ first international flight and the airline has a long history of serving the South West.

The final new flight to take off from Bristol Airport this month will be easyJet’s new service to Tenerife, which commences on Tuesday 30 March.

This month also saw Continental Airlines revert to its summer schedule, operating a daily flight from Bristol to New York.

Passenger numbers were up by 14.2 per cent in February, registering a second successive month of growth at Bristol Airport. Forecasts indicate that summer 2010 could be the busiest in the airport’s history.

Earlier this month Bristol Airport marked the tenth anniversary of its terminal building by unveiling a new brand identity to guide its business over the next decade. The new brand represents ‘people’, ‘place’ and ‘region’ – the three pillars on which the airport’s success rests – and promises ‘Amazing Journeys Start Here’.

The airport celebrates its 80th anniversary in May, while Continental Airlines will mark five years of transatlantic flights from Bristol in the same month. The terminal is expected to handle its 50 millionth passenger towards the end of the year.

A number of significant improvements to the airport will also be officially opened over the coming months. These include a 450m long walkway linking the terminal to aircraft stands on the western apron. The walkway will reduce the need for buses to transfer passengers between the terminal building and arriving and departing planes.

A state-of-the-art ‘walk through’ tax and duty free store will also open in the spring, with regional products showcased in a ‘Best of the West’ range. A new fleet of buses will also shortly begin operating an improved Flyer service between Bristol and the airport.