Bristol Airport is gearing up for its busiest Christmas period for two years as it continues to rapidly recover from the impact of the pandemic.
Up to 350,000 passengers are expected to use the airport between today and 3 January, with one of the busiest times being Boxing Day, when around 20,000 people traveling through it. 
The most popular destinations over the festive period include Dublin, which is served by Ryanair and Aer Lingus, Amsterdam, served by easyJet and KLM, and Geneva – a route operated by easyJet.
The airport’s largest ever ski programme is also underway this winter, including a new series of flights to Toulouse with Crystal Ski and TUI, while easyJet’s flights to Lapland (Rovaniemi in Finland) have proved popular with families wishing to have a special family Christmas holiday.
Last week Ryanair and easyJet, the airport’s two biggest low-cost airlines, announced they are to base more aircraft there and introduce new destinations.
Ryanair is to increase its Bristol-based fleet from four to five planes next summer, which will allow it to increase its route network from the airport to 33 with four new destinations.
EasyJet, the airport’s largest operator flying to just under 70 destinations, will bring in one new aircraft to Bristol next summer, taking its total to 17.
The votes of confidence in Bristol by the UK’s two largest economy airlines follow similar new agreements with operators such as full-service German flag carrier Lufthansa and national airline Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS), as well as holiday operators Jet2 and Tui.
As a result, the airport has enjoyed the fastest recovery from the impact of the pandemic of any in the UK outside of the major international hubs and for the past seven months since most travel restrictions were lifted it has operated at more than 90% of its pre-Covid passenger numbers.
Work is also underway on a £4m redevelopment of the airport’s departure lounge, including a refresh of the World Duty Free store, a new-look bar and restaurant and a new, larger Boots health and beauty store.
While the airport is not expected to be hit by the strike action involving Border Force staff over Christmas, it is still advising passengers to allow extra time to check-in and clear security by arriving at least a minimum of two hours ahead of their scheduled departure time.
Passengers taking presents on flights are advised to keep them unwrapped for security checks while anyone planning to take Christmas crackers on board should check with their airline as many refuse to allow them on their aircraft.
