Following a record summer in which passenger numbers reached eight million in a 12 month period for the first time in its history, Bristol Airport will be seeking views later this month on how to meet demand for air travel over the next 30 years and more. Feedback will help shape Master Plan for 2050.
Currently the ninth busiest airport in the UK, and the fifth largest outside London, Bristol saw passenger numbers grow by more than 10 per cent in 2016. Passing the eight million milestone demonstrates continued strong demand for air travel to and from the South West of the UK, highlighting the need to begin investigating options for extending capacity beyond the current limit of 10 million passengers a year. A consultation document to be published later this month will set out initial considerations and concepts for meeting this challenge in a sustainable way.
Local communities, regional stakeholders and the general public will be invited to provide feedback through an online questionnaire, with a series of events to be held in local communities and across the West of England for those wishing to speak to members of the Airport management team first hand. Feedback will help to shape a more detailed Draft Master Plan which will be subject to further consultation in spring 2018.
Simon Earles, Planning and Sustainability Director at Bristol Airport, said:
“Bristol Airport has come a long way since the publication of its first Master Plan in 2006. Passenger numbers have increased by more than 50 per cent, yet the total number of flights remains lower than a decade ago as a result of higher load factors. A series of long term strategies are currently being developed to ensure the continued success of our Region. It is important the Airport plays its part, so we want to hear views on how we can best do this.”
The Government recommends that airports produce Master Plans to inform local planning and provide transparency for stakeholders. Master Plans do not have a statutory basis so any development requirements identified would be subject to approval through a subsequent planning process in the future.
