BRISTOL - 4
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Air Bridges At Bristol ?
Tonights HTV news had an interview with Paul Kehoe ,in the interview Mr Kehoe was shown looking at a mock up of the new terminal extension,this quite clearly showed air bridges linking the terminal to the apron.I can't recall seeing these on the master plan. I wonder if this provision is aimed at attracting more upmarket airlines like Continental.
On a more serious note, I witnessed today a potentially serious incident when a light aircraft had only just become airborne after a touch and go and a Ryanair 737 landed almost immediately afterwards.The consequence was that by the time the Ryanair aircraft had slowed on the runway it had almost caught up with the light aircraft which was airborne but still low. The Ryanair Pilot commented on the proximity and the Tower apologized for not asking the light aircraft to go round.It seems more and more difficult for ATC to slot in the light aircraft movements in between the ever increasing commercial operations.I don't know if the Airport Management can restrict light aircraft movements at certain times but somthing will definitely have to give .
On a more serious note, I witnessed today a potentially serious incident when a light aircraft had only just become airborne after a touch and go and a Ryanair 737 landed almost immediately afterwards.The consequence was that by the time the Ryanair aircraft had slowed on the runway it had almost caught up with the light aircraft which was airborne but still low. The Ryanair Pilot commented on the proximity and the Tower apologized for not asking the light aircraft to go round.It seems more and more difficult for ATC to slot in the light aircraft movements in between the ever increasing commercial operations.I don't know if the Airport Management can restrict light aircraft movements at certain times but somthing will definitely have to give .
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I here a FR may operate the TFS route come January once they base a 3rd A?C at BRS after BA/GB airways pull out come October? Any news on this or any other airline that may pick up the route? Or that FR may even base a 3rd A/C come January? I know FR will base 2 as of November for their 14 new routes, so who know's whats next?.......
StandupfortheUlstermen
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anorak - and where were you when you noticed this 'potentially serious incident'? Over at the ice cream van on the south side perimeter buying your 99?
Unless you were in the VCR beside the ATCO concerned, you didn't have the same view/take on this as he/she did.
Oh, so it wasn't a missed approach then? Not as serious as you described then, now was it?
We are all human and sometimes there are factors that influence the decisions I and my colleagues make that are not apparent to the average rubber necker. Many times we have aircraft passing the threshold before the preceeding departure has cleared the opposite end of the runway. Doesn't necessarily make it a 'potentially serious incident'.
Anyhoo, if the Ryanair pilot is that hacked off about it, he'll go into print.............but I doubt it, it'd be a bit pot and kettle considering the way they get on sometimes.
Oh, and on another note, how nice it was to compare Bristol's security palaver with that of a large airport (PMI). Loads more flights, loads more pax but a vastly shorter amount of time to pass through security. 30 mins to get through last week at Brizzel in the morning 'rush' compared to 15 mins yesterday at Palma with queues three times as long. Our Spanish friends seem to have got it right. Maybe there isn't an Iberian equivalent of a jobsworth!
Unless you were in the VCR beside the ATCO concerned, you didn't have the same view/take on this as he/she did.
by the time the Ryanair had slowed on the runway......
We are all human and sometimes there are factors that influence the decisions I and my colleagues make that are not apparent to the average rubber necker. Many times we have aircraft passing the threshold before the preceeding departure has cleared the opposite end of the runway. Doesn't necessarily make it a 'potentially serious incident'.
Anyhoo, if the Ryanair pilot is that hacked off about it, he'll go into print.............but I doubt it, it'd be a bit pot and kettle considering the way they get on sometimes.
Oh, and on another note, how nice it was to compare Bristol's security palaver with that of a large airport (PMI). Loads more flights, loads more pax but a vastly shorter amount of time to pass through security. 30 mins to get through last week at Brizzel in the morning 'rush' compared to 15 mins yesterday at Palma with queues three times as long. Our Spanish friends seem to have got it right. Maybe there isn't an Iberian equivalent of a jobsworth!
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anorak,
I saw the Tv interview as well but didn't really get a proper look at the model as it was shown fairly fleetingly. There is certainly no mention of air bridges in the master plan, as you say, and the design of the terminal (built into the side of a hill with only one floor plus a mezzanine floor visible facing airside) would surely make such a venture extremely difficult.
The master plan envisages a two-level pier (essentially a covered passageway) leading from the expanded terminal to the expanded nose-in parking area which will segregate arriving and departing pax.
The plan drawing in the master plan could make the piers appear to be air bridges at a cursory glance.
I cannot think for a minute that BRS would move the master plan goal posts, unless to reduce the scale of infrastructure expansion, because the current proposals have attracted enough controversy as it is.
The new MD was understandably low-key and conciliatory towards the expansion opponents in his interview.
I think any meaningful airport expansion will be two to three years away at least, because the planning process will almost certainly be referred to a planning enquiry and very likely a legal challenge after that.
I would have liked the highly experienced ITV West business reporter to have asked Mr Kehoe how they plan to cope in the meantime, when we may be looking at in excess of seven million annual pax in the next couple of years if Ryanair base more aircraft for more routes as was suggested at the time the base was announced.
I saw the Tv interview as well but didn't really get a proper look at the model as it was shown fairly fleetingly. There is certainly no mention of air bridges in the master plan, as you say, and the design of the terminal (built into the side of a hill with only one floor plus a mezzanine floor visible facing airside) would surely make such a venture extremely difficult.
The master plan envisages a two-level pier (essentially a covered passageway) leading from the expanded terminal to the expanded nose-in parking area which will segregate arriving and departing pax.
The plan drawing in the master plan could make the piers appear to be air bridges at a cursory glance.
I cannot think for a minute that BRS would move the master plan goal posts, unless to reduce the scale of infrastructure expansion, because the current proposals have attracted enough controversy as it is.
The new MD was understandably low-key and conciliatory towards the expansion opponents in his interview.
I think any meaningful airport expansion will be two to three years away at least, because the planning process will almost certainly be referred to a planning enquiry and very likely a legal challenge after that.
I would have liked the highly experienced ITV West business reporter to have asked Mr Kehoe how they plan to cope in the meantime, when we may be looking at in excess of seven million annual pax in the next couple of years if Ryanair base more aircraft for more routes as was suggested at the time the base was announced.
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There is provision for airbridges within the masterplan. The architect's plan on page 99 clearly shows 3. The two-storey pier would be a larger version of the current bus shelter running the length of the extended terminal before turning and extending out into the main apron (I assume at the point where the current fire station is). In the plan there are three larger stands where the pier extends out onto the apron which I assume would hold a 757/767/787. The reason for the refusal of airbridges during the original construction of the terminal was that the building would have to be raised higher and have a proper second floor airside and this would (in the planners view) have disturbed the sightlines of the surrounding countryside because the building would be too intrusive. I would have thought in the current climate airbridges could be shown to be environmentally friendly. It would reduce the number of bus movements per year (to the current 767 stand)! If the airport is to attract full service airlines especially a Middle Eastern airline it needs to offer full service facilities such as airbridges. It is embarrassing when returning to Bristol with Continental to hear the cabin crew announce in very surprised and mystified tones that Bristol is an airport without airbridges and the pax will be disembarking by those quaint things called steps!
The state of the terminal is only going to get worse before it gets better. Heathrow is a prime example of what goes wrong when you have too much traffic going through inadequate facilities. The airport is run by private enterprise and they will want to wring every last penny out of the existing building. Airports that are a joy to use because they have space to breathe don't make half as much money as one where you are maximising the facilities and some!
The state of the terminal is only going to get worse before it gets better. Heathrow is a prime example of what goes wrong when you have too much traffic going through inadequate facilities. The airport is run by private enterprise and they will want to wring every last penny out of the existing building. Airports that are a joy to use because they have space to breathe don't make half as much money as one where you are maximising the facilities and some!
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bristolflyer,
Welcome to PPRuNe.
Having had another look at the master plan I have to agree that the drawing on page 99 of the web version does show airbridges joined to aircraft parked at right-angles to the other nose-in aircraft which don't have any bridges shown.
I had looked at the drawing on web page 76 which accompanies the section on the terminal building expansion plans and which shows extensions of the pier, but no aircraft drawn in (unlike page 99), and assumed these were a means of getting pax a bit closer to the aircraft, albeit they would still have to board via steps.
My assumption was based on the accompanying narrative on page 75 which states, "...........development of a two-level pier between the airport building and the aircraft stands." There is no mention of air bridges anywhere in the plan that I can find, apart from what appears in the drawing on page 99, although I haven't had time for a full re-read following your post.
I was aware of the earlier planning edict concerning air bridges from the current terminal. It may be that, because the three air bridges shown in the above drawing would be parallel with the front of the airside terminal and wouldn't involve a full second floor being built, the airport believes the planners would accept them.
I don't like air bridges and I like the fresh air and an external look at the aircraft that steps provide, in the same way that I prefer narrow-bodied aircraft to wide-bodied for long-haul because there is a great statistical chance of bagging a window seat in the former. I realise I am in the minority in both these matters though.
Welcome to PPRuNe.
Having had another look at the master plan I have to agree that the drawing on page 99 of the web version does show airbridges joined to aircraft parked at right-angles to the other nose-in aircraft which don't have any bridges shown.
I had looked at the drawing on web page 76 which accompanies the section on the terminal building expansion plans and which shows extensions of the pier, but no aircraft drawn in (unlike page 99), and assumed these were a means of getting pax a bit closer to the aircraft, albeit they would still have to board via steps.
My assumption was based on the accompanying narrative on page 75 which states, "...........development of a two-level pier between the airport building and the aircraft stands." There is no mention of air bridges anywhere in the plan that I can find, apart from what appears in the drawing on page 99, although I haven't had time for a full re-read following your post.
I was aware of the earlier planning edict concerning air bridges from the current terminal. It may be that, because the three air bridges shown in the above drawing would be parallel with the front of the airside terminal and wouldn't involve a full second floor being built, the airport believes the planners would accept them.
I don't like air bridges and I like the fresh air and an external look at the aircraft that steps provide, in the same way that I prefer narrow-bodied aircraft to wide-bodied for long-haul because there is a great statistical chance of bagging a window seat in the former. I realise I am in the minority in both these matters though.
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MerchantVenturer thanks for the welcome. I agree the wording of the masterplan is ambiguous. I imagine Macquarie want to play things close to their chest until such time as they have the backing of the planners in principle. I understand that Kehoe has put back the date for the formal application until the autumn, no doubt because there are unresolved sticking points and he wants to be in a stronger position before going public.The airport is going to meet stiff resistance as soon as they break cover even though the silent majority support expansion by their continued use of the facility. I'm afraid I'm a "fairweather" steps man!
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2c/2p flights
He said about the 2p RyanAir flights from BRS to Dublin..Anyone know how often these come up?
StandupfortheUlstermen
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"but it can't attract any airlines til the runway has also been dealt with."
Oh do let us in on your secret oh wise sage of West Wiltshire International!
Or do you mean that the runway at Bristol must be chastised like a naughty schoolboy!?
Oh do let us in on your secret oh wise sage of West Wiltshire International!
Or do you mean that the runway at Bristol must be chastised like a naughty schoolboy!?
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I do not think we need to 'resurrect' the runway issue.
The resurfacing has been completed, there have been no problems as there were earlier this year and I do not agree with your comment of it 'being the truth....'
Don't forget, Air France have recently started operations and Ryanair are to increase their presence at the airport.
Unless you have have evidence that there is still a problem, I would be a little careful with your comments.
The resurfacing has been completed, there have been no problems as there were earlier this year and I do not agree with your comment of it 'being the truth....'
Don't forget, Air France have recently started operations and Ryanair are to increase their presence at the airport.
Unless you have have evidence that there is still a problem, I would be a little careful with your comments.
StandupfortheUlstermen
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No no, let him speak. Young Christian must have access to info that the rest of us (like those of us who have to look at the bloody runway every day of our sodding, working lives) don't.
This information must be shared for the good of all passenger kind.
I'm waiting boy!
This information must be shared for the good of all passenger kind.
I'm waiting boy!
StandupfortheUlstermen
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Well if you don't want your comments to be taken the wrong way, don't be so ambiguous in the first place. But tell us, what shall we do, tarmac Felton Common or do a 'Funchal' on the other end?
You'll get a starter strip type extension if the old terminal is knocked down, but don't hold out for a full on runway extension. Anyway, the Airport owners can't see past the Boeing goose laying a 787 shaped egg at the minute so don't hold yer breath.
You'll get a starter strip type extension if the old terminal is knocked down, but don't hold out for a full on runway extension. Anyway, the Airport owners can't see past the Boeing goose laying a 787 shaped egg at the minute so don't hold yer breath.
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There may be an announcement at the end of the month regarding Frankfurt and other German routes hopefully, watch this space 
You mean Frankfurt Hahn perhaps?
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Well this was from a direct airport source, very tight lipped, seemed like he was gagging to say, but fair play he didn't! He just said hopefully if all goes to plan there would be an announcement near end of month, Got the impression that it will be a full service operator, but wouldn't like to say whether or not to book your trips out of LHR yet, Wouldn't LH/BD be a great addition to BRS, BD would be great especially as hopefully they might pick up some of the others that BA dropped.
Only time will tell I guess, on another note had a read through of the 2nd edition Thomson brochure for s08, all flights apart from a couple now on FCA, havent seen the 2nd edition TC/Airtours brochures yet.
Only time will tell I guess, on another note had a read through of the 2nd edition Thomson brochure for s08, all flights apart from a couple now on FCA, havent seen the 2nd edition TC/Airtours brochures yet.
