Bristol Airport targets transatlantic flights with runway extension

Bristol Airport (BRS/EGGD) has announced plans for its next stage of expansion which include a 150 metre runway extension that could see it operate regular transatlantic flights.

The airport unveiled the plans as it began a public consultation stage on its next phase of development to take the airport to 15 million passengers per year.

Bristol Airport says that the short extension, which will take the runway nearer to the airport boundary and the A38, will not only improve the efficiency of current operations but also meet the needs of bigger aircraft allowing longer haul flights to operate.

As well as transatlantic flights to North America, the airport is also targeting the middle-east with the rising popularity of destinations such as Doha and Dubai.

The airport is keen to point out that the extension would remain within the airport boundary requiring no change the A38, the main road to and from the airport. The plan does include improvements to the A38 though which will help the flow of traffic to airport as well as a bus priority lane to encourage public transport use.

The plans are likely to met with stiff opposition from local protest groups though as they have in the past and even the council which governs the area has previously denied approval for expansion leading to interventions by the government.

What is clear though is the if the plans do go ahead the boost in traffic and capacity will provide a major economic boost to the North Somerset area and having long-haul option from the South West and Wales could provide a much needed positive impact across the region.

The airport has also been working hard to belay environmental concerns with increased work towards net-zero at the airport with plans for things such electrical power at stands to minimise APU usage, encouraging the use of modern more efficient aircraft from its airline partners and increased use of zero emission vehicles around the airport.

Bristol Airport says that the expansion plans could create more than 1,000 jobs directly at the airport and boost the wider job market that is supported by the airport to 37,000.

A runway expansion could come as a significant blow to Cardiff Airport’s hopes of attracting long-haul flights with the longer runway being one of a few advantages the South Wales’ site had.

The plans come as the airports owners, Ontario Teachers Pension Plan, considers putting the airport, along with Birmingham and London City, up for sale as it seeks to raise £10bn from the sale along with some of its European airports.

This means that future plans for the airport would be factored into any sale and proposed value it could realise.