Bristol Airport’s annual passenger figures have soared past the seven million mark for the first time in its history – the latest milestone in its rapid growth.
Passenger numbers have now grown for six years running. They reached 6.76m between January and December last year and have continued to rise as airlines have added new routes and bookings have increased on existing routes.
Last week numbers hit 7m on a year-on-year basis for the first – ahead of the busy summer holiday season.
Bosses at England’s third-largest regional airport have a long-term plan to handle up to 10m passengers a year.
The total number of destinations served by scheduled and charter airlines increased to 116, including 16 capital cities.
The airport has also attracted new entrants into the regional market, with Wizz Air launching services to Katowice in Poland, Kosice in Slovakia, and the Bulgarian capital of Sofia within the past 12 months.
The airport is only the second UK departure point for Icelandic low-cost airline WOW air, with flights to North America via Reykjavik.
Last month Thomson Airways announced it will be operating weekly flights to Orlando and Cancun from next spring, meaning the Boeing 787 Dreamliner will fly from Bristol for the first time.
Development of passenger facilities to cater for this increased demand continues, with work well underway on a £24m west terminal extension which will transform the security search process for passengers when phase one is completed this summer, as well as creating an enlarged baggage reclaim area, customs facilities and meet and greet area by the end of the year. A 201-room Hampton by Hilton hotel is also set to be open this winter.
The completion of the South Bristol Link (SBL) will improve access to the airport from the north, east and west. The SBL forms part of the MetroBus network of rapid transit routes in the region.
Bristol Airport is contributing more than £4.7m towards the cost of construction as part of planning permission for development to handle up to 10m passengers a year.
Airport chief executive Robert Sinclair said: “It is amazing to think that when commercial flights commenced on our current site in 1957 just 33,000 passengers used the Airport in the entire first year. We now see a similar number pass through the terminal on a busy summer day!
“Increased demand for air travel is a positive sign that our region’s economy continues to thrive. Given the growth in our route network and continued improvement in facilities and services, passengers are increasingly turning to Bristol as the premier gateway airport serving the South West and South Wales.”
To celebrate the 7m milestone, passengers and staff were treated to free ice creams sourced from Gloucestershire-based Marshfield Farms.
Pictured: Dakota, aged 5, celebrates with Craig Clark and James Power of Bristol Airport
