Bristol Airport is preparing for its busiest-ever summer getaway, with more than 1.5m passengers planning to use it during the holiday period.
Up to 37,000 people are expected at the airport on some days over the August bank holiday weekend – the highest number since before Covid devastated air travel in 2020.
According to the airport, which has recovered from the impact of the pandemic faster than most others in the UK, the most popular sun destinations are Palma de Mallorca, Alicante and Málaga while top city trips include Dublin, Edinburgh and Amsterdam.
The airport will also be welcoming athletes competing in the UIPM Pentathlon and Laser Run World Championships 2023 at the University of Bath in August.
Around 9.9m passengers are expected to use the airport in total this year – nudging its current capacity of 10m for the first time since 2019.
That capacity is set to rise to 12m following the High Court’s decision in May to dismiss a legal challenge from environmental protestors against its multi-million pound expansion, which will involve expanding the terminal building and increasing car parking.
The airport has attracted a number of new operators this year, including Aegean Airlines, Sun Express and Corendon Airlines, and is also benefiting from the introduction of new destinations from its two main budget airlines Ryanair and easyJet.
Meanwhile full-service German flag carrier Lufthansa is increasing frequency on its Frankfurt route, Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) has launched the airport’s first direct service to Zurich and Aer Lingus has reintroduced flights to Cork.
Two new premium pre-flight lounges have also opened on the mezzanine floor of the departure terminal under an agreement with airport services business CAVU, which is bringing its Escape Lounge and 1903 Lounge concepts to Bristol.
Bristol Airport recommends all passengers prepare and plan ahead, including checking-in online and helping security by have their boarding card ready, removing laptop computers and other large electrical devices from bags, putting liquids in separate liquids bags, emptying the contents of their pockets into the trays provided and taking off their coats and placing them in tray.
It is also warning that North Somerset Council will be closing the A38 at the junction of the A38 Bridgwater Road and the B3130 Barrow Street at Barrow Gurney to all traffic, as part of a larger bus service improvement plan.
Diversions will be in place and passengers are advised to allow additional travel time to and from the airport while the road closures are in place, including those using public transport as the diversion route may add up to 40 minutes travel time.
Dates and times of closure:
- Monday 24 July, 8pm to Tuesday 25 July 6am
- Tuesday 25 July, 8pm to Wednesday 26 July 6am
- Wednesday 26 July, 8pm to Thursday 27 July 6am
- Thursday 27 July, 8pm to Friday 28 July 6am
- Friday 28 July, 8pm to Saturday 29 July 6am.
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