history
Take a look through the archives for further information about Bristol International Airport through the ages.
2000s
1990s
1980s
1970s
1960s
1950s
1940s
1930s
1920s
During 2007 31 new Scheduled destinations were announced or introduced, bringing the total number of scheduled routes to 77 and charter destinations to 59, making it possible to fly to 122 destinations across 29 countries. Amongst the new announcements were a massive 17 new routes across Europe with Ryanair, a new service to Frankfurt with prestigious airline Lufthansa, and a new long haul flight to Toronto with Flyglobespan.
At the beginning of the year Bristol International Airport celebrated the launch of a brand new customer reward scheme, Travel Rewards and also formed a relationship with Climate Care, a carbon offsetting organisation giving passengers the opportunity to offset the emissions of their flights to and from Bristol. In addition the airport agreed to offset all business travel emissions generated by its staff in 2007.
Paul Kehoe was appointed as Chief Executive Officer in May following the departure of Managing Director, Andrew Skipp. Paul, who was previously responsible for the management of Luton and Belfast International joined the airport on 4th June. Prior to Andrew's departure the £17m runway resurfacing project was officially completed - to schedule and on budget.
Throughout 2007 the airport continued to develop its online presence and over the course of the year launched a Travel Rewards site, New York Microsite and mobile phone version of the main website. Development also began on the security search area, with £3.2 million being invested on an extension to increase the number of passengers able to pass through at peak times and ensure that the airport is equipped to manage new regulations brought in by the Department for Transport.
2006
In June 2006 Bristol International celebrated the completion of its new £7million retail and catering facilities which generated new jobs, and transformed Bristol International into one of the UK's premier airport shopping venues. 2006 was also a good year for route development with First Choice Holidays announcing three long haul charter flights to Florida, the Dominican Republic and Cuba. First Choice also operated the first ever flight to the exotic destination of Cancun in Mexico as part of a fabulous one off 12 night holiday.Bristol International was awarded the title of the best regional airport in the World in leading aviation magazine, Passenger Terminal World. The airport was also voted the UK's fourth favourite airport in the Wanderlust Travel Awards 2005 and was nominated for the first time in the 5-10 million passenger category for its marketing activity at the prestigious OAG Airport Marketing Awards.
Continental Airlines celebrated the first successful anniversary of its service between Bristol and New York, and the airport celebrated after raising a staggering £40,000 during 2006 for it's official charity, Babe's Big Appeal.
20052005, the Airport's 75th anniversary, was a year of celebrations for Bristol International. Over double the number of passengers and almost three times as many scheduled flights achieved within just five years! On 20th May Continental Airlines launched the first-ever scheduled non-stop trans-Atlantic service from the South West to New York's Newark Liberty Airport. The Airport also opened a new check-in extension, new baggage reclaim and completed the expansion and development work on the passenger pick-up car park. In addition October saw the announcement of a £7 million retail investment programme to double the Airport's shopping space.
In May, Bristol International celebrated raising £15,000 for the NSPCC, its 2004 charity, by holding a 1950's themed black tie ball. The event marked the working partnership with the NSPCC, and a fond farewell to the society's role as the airport's official annual charity. Babe's Big Appeal was then announced as the new Airport charity. Babe's Big Appeal is Children's Hospice South West's campaign to raise £15 million to build and equip a second children's hospice for the south west region, based in Wraxall.
Bristol International was again nominated for the prestigious OAG Airport Marketing Award, as well as the Best UK Airport in Travel Trade Gazette's annual British Travel Awards. In November a feature-packed new look website offering visitors a one-stop-shop for live flight time information, special offers and fares was launched.
2004The second fastest growing airport in the UK in 2004, 4.6 million passengers passed through the airport's doors over the year. Eleven scheduled routes were introduced - Aberdeen, Bergerac, Berlin, Bordeaux, Budapest, Geneva, Madrid, Manchester, Plymouth, Rome and Valencia - and three scheduled airlines joined the airport, 2004 welcoming Aer Lingus, Air Southwest and Eastern Airlines. In September, Continental Airlines announced its intention to launch a direct service to New York from Bristol, to begin on 20 May, 2005.
2004 was also an award-winning year. Bristol International was awarded the
OAG Worldwide Marketing Award in September and nominated in Travel
Weekly's category of 'Best UK Airport 2004'. The airport was
also voted in at the number three position in a survey of UK airports by
the leading independent travellers' magazine, Wanderlust.
In March, the airport's car parks were officially recognised by the
police as having achieved 'Secured Car Park' status - the only
airport in the South West, Wales and the Midlands to achieve such status -
and were presented with the prestigious national parking security award.
Bristol International raised a staggering £15,000 for its 2004/05 Charity
of the Year, the NSPCC, and contributed towards many community projects in
the local area.
2003
Passenger numbers jumped in 2003 to a massive 3.8million. 2003 was also a
busy year in terms of new route announcements. Easyjet announced a 6th
based unit in October and a range of new routes including Newcastle,
Amsterdam, Bilbao, Berlin (starting June 2004) and Copenhagen, Bristol
Internationals first ever direct flight to Scandinavia. In addition,
Bristol International welcomed Air South West, with services to Manchester
and Plymouth (starting in 2004), Flybe with an increased range of services
including new routes to Toulouse, Bordeaux and Bergerac and finally Isles
of Scilly Skybus started services to Newquay.
In the Airport's Terminal, wireless internet access was launched; WH
Smiths and Travelex were extended. The Airport launched an aggressive car
park pricing policy, with 8 days parking onsite costing just £33.75 and 15
days parking for just £49. The Airport announced its intention to secure a
daily direct schedule service to the USA starting in 2005.
Finally, the Government's White paper on the future of aviation,
secured Bristol International status as the Airport for the South West. It
estimates that the Airport could expect to handle some 12m passengers by
2030, requiring a longer runway and a terminal extension.
2002
In February Bristol International was officially the fastest growing airport in the UK, with a year on year passenger increase of 44.5%. Four new services were launched in 2002, in March, Go started services to Prague, Bristol International welcomed Aer Arran in July who started a new service to Cork, in October Air France started services to Paris and Go started services to Venice. In May the Airport celebrated the 1st anniversary of the arrival of Go, over 750,000 people used the Go services in the first year of operation. June saw the opening of the new 800,000 domestic baggage reclaim hall, with two baggage belts and a new baggage carousel. In August Bristol International celebrated handling 3 million passengers in a 12-month period for the first time, a landmark for the Airport. The Airport achieved another landmark in November 2002, when it was awarded the covered Investors in People standard for the Airports commitment to staff training and development. The new 800,000 covered walkway, which provides weatherproof cover to six aircraft stands opened to the public in December.
2001
Yet another extraordinary year for Bristol International. In January, Macquarie & Cintra acquired the Airport for 198m. Go announced in March that it was to make Bristol International its second UK base. Bristol International was originally in competition against 140 Airports across Europe. The arrival of Go remains the single biggest commercial deal in the Airports history. The first Go flights started in May 2001. November saw the conclusion of a major 5 year project to bring all weather landing equipment (Category 3) to the Airport. Bristol International is the only Airport in SouthWest and Wales with the capability for suitably equipped aircraft to land safely in poor visibility. The final part of the huge capital investment programme took place on Wednesday 5th December when the 3.5 million air traffic control tower went live. Equipped with the very latest technology, the fabulous new building offers spectacular views of the whole runway and Airport operation. It is estimated that Bristol International will handle 2.8 million passengers this year.
2000
March 3rd 2000 the New Terminal was opened by HRH the Princess Royal and flights started leaving the new building on the 7th. The old terminal building closed to the public and was converted to offices for many of the staff. Brymon introduced two new routes to Frankfurt and Munich, passenger numbers continued to grow. 2000 also saw it's first direct transatlantic flight in many years operating to Toronto by Royal Airlines. The success story is set to continue.
1999/2000
The new terminal building was well under way with the roof being completed
in April and all was on schedule for opening in March 2000. As part of the
planning agreement Bristol International had to make a new entrance for the
terminal and divert the A38 to allow installation of category III an all
weather landing system. Work on the new road layout started in September,
this included the re-organisations of the car parks and the landscaping.
Passenger figures reached 2 million.
1998/99
This year saw massive changes at Bristol Airport; the old terminal was refurbished and modernised to make it see out the next few years. The airport was still expanding rapidly and 1.8 million passengers travelled through the terminal; the next year was scheduled to carry 2 million. FirstGroup invested 32 million in the development of Bristol International and the autumn saw the start of the long awaited new 27 million terminal building that was designed to carry 3.5 million passengers. This building will see Bristol International into the millennium and beyond.
1997/98
In an effort to change the old out of date image the airport was beginning to get the name was changed. March 97 saw the re-launch of Bristol Airport to Bristol International. This move re-instated the airport's plans for growth. December 97 the airport was sold. 51% was owned by FirstGroup, the remaining 49% still belonged to Bristol City Council.
1996/97
Bristol Airport was put up for sale by Bristol City Council. The way in which the council could obtain funding meant that the airport could not start building, is much needed new terminal. With passenger figures reaching 1.4 million the terminal building had already started to exceed it's capacity. After the loss of Les Wilson a new management team was formed. John Parkin became the Managing Director who previously worked for Thomas Cook, the Deputy Managing Director and Finance Director was Andrew Skipp and Mike Luddy as Marketing Director from Gatwick joined them. The team was formed to continue the growth of the airport and drive forward the sale.
1995/96
This year saw the tragic death of one of aviation's major characters - Managing Director Les Wilson OBE, a sad loss not only to Bristol but the Industry as a whole. Growth on Bristol's scheduled services continued above expectation. Overall 517,997 business passengers use the airport, representing 35% of the total traffic. The most spectacular increase was in the international sector, which grew by 19.78%. Brit Air introduced a twice-daily service to Paris increasing the frequency on the CDG route to 5 per day. Despite difficult trading conditions with the Charter market, Bristol saw growth of 10.3% p.m. inclusive Tour passengers. During this year, as part of a new strategic initiative, Bristol Airport commissioned transport consultants, Steer Davies Gleeve, to provide market analysis on the future demand for air travel. In particular, the consultants were asked to review Bristol Airport's medium to long term passenger forecasts to ensure that the methodology used and actual statistics calculated were consistent with Government, CAA and external expectations.
1994/95
The Airport's freight facility, was relocated to a site in Avonmouth. The new facility situated close to the M4 / M5 interchange was suitably located to take advantage of the increasing amount of freight travelling to the South West from Heathrow by road. In May 1994 the application for a proposed new terminal building was approved by the Secretary of State. Airworld based an A320 at Bristol Airport as a summer operation only.
1993/94
The success scenario continues with increased passenger throughput, increased profits and increased employment. Aer Lingus' initiative in commencing a daily scheduled service to New York via Dublin was one of the highlights of this year. Clearing US immigration in Dublin and onward connection on an A330 aircraft further promoted Dublin as a hub airport from Bristol. Brymon Airways became a wholly owned subsidiary of British Airways, which Bristol Airport immediately benefited from. The Brymon fleet was repainted, the interiors refitted and new uniforms donned in order to reflect the British Airways corporate style.
1992/93
A 5m (34%) increase in turnover together with a 1.95m (211%) increase in profit before tax and a million passenger throughput for the first time was the most outstanding result ever achieved by Bristol Airport. The superb performance derived from a 42% increase in charter passengers, 15.3% increase in scheduled service passengers. Air 2000 based an Airbus A320 at Bristol for the first time. Following the planning application for a new terminal building the scheme was called in for Public Inquiry.
1992
The recession continues which saw major setbacks resulting in the demise of Airlines, tour Operators and Travel Agents. Those that survived the year experienced reduced profits with some recording losses for the first time. Bristol did not remain unscathed and although managing to record similar passenger numbers to the previous year profits reduced. May to October period indicated a downturn of 19% in charter traffic compared to 1990/91 and a shortfall of 38% against the previous year. Charter traffic did however achieve growth in the winter season and scheduled traffic was up 31%, which allowed the final passenger throughput to remain static at 843,000.
1991
Brymon Airways continue to dominate the expansion programme with the introduction of an additional service to Edinburgh, introduction of a Newcastle / Aberdeen route and a third Dash 8 aircraft. In addition to Brymon's success Sabena began operating to Brussels and Crossair to Zurich. Freight traffic also increased with scheduled services booming and the Post Office illustrated its commitment by opening up a new sorting office at the airport. Despite a poor year in respect of charter services the final passenger throughput was satisfactory.
1989
Record passenger figures continue to dominate the news with a January throughput of 34,345, which was a 31 per cent increase. The scheduled network saw an increase with the introduction of the F50 aircraft by Aer lingus on the Dublin route, Lufthansa's service to Dusseldorf increasing to twice a day and Netherlines'NLM made greater utilisation of the F27 on the Amsterdam route. Jersey European Airways operated the largest scheduled services from Bristol. Further development to the terminal building continues, with the addition of a children's play area in the International Departure Lounge, extensive refurbishment to the main bar area, enclosing the attached viewing balcony to develop extra seating area. The Brunel Lounge was enlarged to cope with the expanding numbers of regular business travellers. To further improve the facilities for our passengers a shuttle service was introduced to provide courtesy transport between the long-term car park and the terminal building. During November and March a 4.3 million project to resurface the main runway and taxiways took place. In November Brymon Airways, who had previously announced in June 1989 of their intentions to operate from Bristol Airport, commenced a three-times daily flight to Glasgow and a once a day flight to Edinburgh.
1988
Bristol Airport's rapid expansion continues with 100,000 scheduled service passengers passing through the airport for the first time. In July this year HRH the Princess Royal opened the newly refurbished and extended check-in concourse. August broke all records with a throughput of 103,401 passengers compared with 98,034 for the same month in the previous year. With this in mind a feasibility study into proposals for the Airport to set up a Bristol based scheduled service airline was commissioned. Which later proved feasible.
1987
On the 1 April all employees were transferred from Bristol City council to Bristol Airport plc. The operation and net assets of Bristol Airport were transferred from the City of Bristol and the Company commenced trading. In order to finance the acquisition of the operation and net assets of the Company, shares were issued for a total consideration of 19,675,000. New arrival area lounges and baggage handling facilities were opened together with an extension to the restaurant on the first floor. During this year Paramount Airways, Bristol's first based charter airline, commenced operation with flights to Tenerife and Malaga. In May 1987 the Brunel Lounge was opened which offered frequent traveller facilities. A new Fuel Farm providing storage facilities for 700,000 litres of aviation fuel was another addition to Bristol Airport's expansion. In August of this year the highest -ever passenger figures in one month was achieved - 98,034 passengers passed through the airport and in October the new apron control accommodation and watch room buildings opened.
1985
A new scheduled service commenced operation by Brymon Airways to Isles of Scilly. A development budget of 13.5million provided an extended aircraft-parking apron, new fire station, extended Departure Lounge and improved airfield drainage.
1984
Improvements were made to the Rescue Fire Fighting Service vehicles and equipment. The Plessey 430 radar had been replaced by an Instrument Landing System on both runways 09 and 27. This was quite a unique installation by Norsk Marconi utilising distance measuring equipment in place of marker beacons together with a localise aerial on a 60 ft gantry due to the rapid fall on land to the west end of the runway. Within the Terminal Building, Caterleisure had been awarded the Terminal catering contract with a self-service buffet, restaurant, landside bar, shop and airside bar. The Airport Authority added a new International Departure Lounge with Duty Free Shop and 24 hour airside bar, an Arrivals Concourse to facilitate a new passenger flow system in addition to completely refurbishing the Departure Concourse. Refurbishment included new check-in desks and scales, conveyorised baggage system, new tour operators' desks and a flight Information System. Facilities for the disabled were provided in the form of car parking spaces in the car parks, additional wheelchairs, landside and airside toilets, vending machines on the ground floor and low-level telephone. Externally, a short-term car park was provided and considerable extensions were made to the long-term car parks.
1982
The George Maggs Lounge was opened, named after Councillor Maggs who was for many years chairman of the Bristol Airport Committee.
1980
With the increase in the Inclusive Tour charter market Bristol's financial standing gradually improved and now had seventeen tour operators offering flights from the West Country
1973
Saw the collapse of Court Line, which had a dramatic effect on air passenger numbers at all UK airports, not just Bristol.
1968
A new 5,000 square foot transit shed was constructed and many freight agents were beginning to establish their operations at the airport.
1965
Extensions were made to the terminal building.
1963
The runway was lengthened.
1957
The Duchess of Kent, whose late husband - killed during the war - had previously opened Whitchurch Airport, duly opened the new airport. The first year of operation at the new airport proved to be successful with a throughput of 33,000 passengers and 608,000 kilos of freight.
1956
After the war it was realised that future development at Whitchurch was limited, as there was no possibility of extending the runway. Then the airport was de-requisitioned in 1956 the Airport Committee therefore decided to purchase and develop Lulsgate Bottom. This was by now a disused RAF airfield, which had been developed as a Fighter Command base during the war. It was purchased for 55,000.
1955
Bristol wins its ten-year battle for a new City airport. Lulsgate Bottom Airfield, which had been in use as a R.A.F airfield for 10 years is purchased for 55,000 by the Bristol Corporation. It is announced that Bristol's new aerodrome will officially be known as "Bristol (Lulsgate) Airport". Bristol Airport Committee meets at the aerodrome to visualise the future Bristol Airport.
1939 - 1944
Many discussions take place on the fate of Whitchuch following the war. The general view is that it cannot be developed for post war use and that its future is limited.
1930 - 1939
Whitchurch developed slowly with passenger numbers of 935 in 1930
increasing to 4,000 by 1939. With the outbreak of the war the airport was
requisitioned by the Air Ministry and had the distinction of being the only
civil airport in operation in the U.K.
Imperial Airways, KLM and others were transferred from London's Croydon
Airport to Whitchurch. Flights were operated to Lisbon with links to the
United States via the Azores. The comings and goings of statesmen, spies,
film stars and other were shrouded in secrecy, but Winston Churchill and
Amy Johnson certainly used the Airport during this period.
1930
Official opening of Bristol Airport in May by HRH Prince George. During this period Bristol was only the third civil airport in the country.
1929
These pioneers had attracted so much interest in their project that they became more ambitious and decided to develop a fully-fledged airport for Bristol. An area of farmland at Whitchurch was bought and the new airport began.
1927
A group of local businessmen managed to raise 6,000 through public subscriptions to inaugurate a flying club at Filton Aerodrome, which became the birthplace of Concorde.
