Modern slavery and human trafficking statement
We support the goals of the UK’s Modern Slavery Act and have a zero-tolerance approach to forced labour of any kind. We are committed to being a responsible and sustainable business and recognise the influence we can have across our supply chain and the wider region.
This statement sets out Bristol Airport’s actions to understand all potential modern slavery risks related to our business and to achieve our aims of ensuring there is no slavery or human trafficking in either our own business or our supply chains. This statement relates to actions and activities during the financial year 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.
Our Structure
Bristol Airport is the 8th largest airport in the UK, connecting over 10.8m passengers per annum with more than 120 destinations. Privately owned, we have around 400 direct employees and more than 50 business partners operating on/from our site, employing around 5,800 people in total.
Our vision is “To be everyone’s favourite airport, delivering a future we can all be proud of” and our values reflect that. As part of the aviation and airport sector, we are absolutely committed to preventing slavery and human trafficking in our corporate activities and ensuring that our supply chains are free from slavery and human trafficking.
Our Supply Chain
Bristol Airport sources a wide range of products and services at least 800 local, national, and international suppliers. Our supply chain spans a variety of industry sectors, which can be broadly grouped as follows: Capital Construction and Property; Engineering, Maintenance & Facilities Management; Professional Services; Passenger Services; IT and Supplies; Supplies and Services; other Service Contracts (including statutory services, rent, rates, utilities, policing, etc).
We are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations as well as conducting our interaction with our supply chain in a fair, transparent, and professional manner always. We have a Procurement Strategy aligned to our values, a dedicated Procurement Team who oversee all procurement activity and assure it complies with both our policies and legislation, and tender management software that provides complete transparency for all contractual processes. Additionally, our Risk Framework and internal audit programme provide assurance and support continuous improvement in our processes.
Our Policies
We operate several policies that describe our approach to the identification of modern slavery risks and the steps to be taken to prevent slavery and human trafficking in our operations.
We have a robust Policy Framework in place to ensure all policies are maintained up to date and communicated effectively to all colleagues. Adherence to these policies, and continuous assessment of any risks is monitored by the Head of Risk & Assurance and the Executive Board, with formal reporting to the Audit and Risk Committee.
- Whistleblowing policy: We encourage all our colleagues, contractors, customers and other business partners to report any concerns related to the direct activities, or the supply chains, of our organisation. This includes any circumstances that may give rise to an enhanced risk of slavery or human trafficking. Our whistleblowing procedure is designed to make it easy for anyone to make disclosures, without fear of retaliation. Employees, customers, or others who have concerns can use our confidential, independent helpline or on-line portal which is published sitewide and regularly promoted.
- Procurement policy: We are committed to ensuring that our suppliers adhere to the highest standards of ethics. Our framework requires potential and existing suppliers to demonstrate that their values are aligned with ours and, particularly, that they provide safe working conditions where necessary, treat workers with dignity and respect, and act both ethically and within the law in their use of labour.
- Recruitment/Agency workers policy: We use only specified, reputable employment agencies to source labour and always verify the practices of any new agency before accepting workers from that agency.
- Real Living Wage: Bristol Airport and business partners have committed to paying the real living wage as a minimum, and not the lower rates calculated by the Government. This has been the case since 2023.
Due diligence
Most employees and suppliers that work on our premises are subject to stringent security verification of their identity, background and/or criminal record checks. For recruitment purposes we operate a digital Applicant Tracking System and assure the highest standards of pre-employment screening including a detailed five-year history, right to work documents and criminal record checks.
All employees of Bristol Airport have a written contract of employment that is compliant with the Act, and we ensure that all pay, and conditions of our direct employees are of a high standard, above those stipulated in the Act.
All Whistleblowing reports are treated in the strictest confidence, fully investigated by a director, overseen by the Audit and Risk Committee Chair, with appropriate remedial actions taken and a formal report to the Board.
We expect all our suppliers to undertake their own due diligence on their supply chains and business partners, and to ensure that any contracts with their sub-contractors have similar obligations. If we have any concerns a full investigation will be carried out and, if appropriate, they will be removed from our supply chain. We shall continue to undertake a rolling review of our standard contractual terms, to incorporate the requirements of the Act as and when contracts are placed or renewed.
Training
We ensure every employee undertakes regular refresher training relevant to their role and responsibilities, including but not restricted to Anti-Bribery, Whistleblowing and the Modern Slavery Act. Our modern slavery training covers:
- How to assess the risk of slavery and human trafficking in relation to various aspects of the business, including resources and support available.
- How to identify the signs of slavery and human trafficking.
- What initial steps should be taken if slavery or human trafficking is suspected.
- How to escalate potential slavery or human trafficking issues to the relevant parties within our organisation.
- What external help is available, for example through the Modern Slavery Helpline, Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority and "Stronger together" initiative.
In 2025, we conducted an audit of our internal procedures regarding Modern Slavery compliance. Additionally, targeted training was provided to our Contract Managers, emphasising the significance of adherence, identifying potential indicators, and outlining their responsibilities for reporting and investigating any concerns.
A new annual training programme will be established in 2026 for all personnel engaged in financial transactions and business partner interactions, ensuring that staff are adequately prepared to identify, prevent, and address risks with effectiveness.