It has been another record month keeps Airport on track to break six million mark for full year, more than 571,000* passengers used Bristol Airport in October, surpassing the previous record for that month.
The record total represented growth of 4.45 per cent over the previous year. It continues the trend seen throughout the summer, which included the busiest month in the Airport’s history (August) as well as the highest passenger numbers seen in June and July respectively.
With more than 5.3 million passengers flying in and out so far this year, the Airport is on track to top six million passengers per annum in a calendar year for the first time since 2008.
All sectors are performing well, with scheduled international traffic recording the highest growth (4.94 per cent) as a result of new routes launched by bmi regional (including services to Hamburg, Frankfurt and Munich) and increased flights across easyJet’s 46 routes from Bristol.
The charter sector also experienced growth in October, traditionally the month when those working in the local visitor economy take a well earned break overseas.
Robert Sinclair, Chief Executive Officer at Bristol Airport, said:
“These figures suggest that travellers across the South West and South Wales are increasingly looking to Bristol as their airport of choice. And with around 30 ski flights a week, a good range of winter sun destinations and a growing schedule of business services, we can offer a convenient local alternative to the long slog to the London airports this winter.
“Forecasts indicate this growth will continue, so preparation is already well underway for a potentially record-breaking year in 2014. Construction of a new central walkway will significantly enhance the passenger experience and ease departure lounge congestion when completed next summer.”
Bristol Airport is the UK’s fifth largest airport outside London and the ninth largest in the UK. Planning permission is in place to develop and enhance facilities to enable Bristol to handle 10 million passengers per annum. Development commenced in November 2011 and the first of more than 30 separate projects – the construction of three new aircraft stands – was completed in spring 2012. Other major components include an extension to the terminal building to almost double its size; a new multi-level car-park with public transport interchange on its top level; and an on-site hotel.