This was posted on the AOG website in October 05
These are exciting times for Bournemouth Airport, which is part of the Manchester Airports Group – co-host of this year’s AOA Annual Conference & Exhibition. Throughput has doubled this year and, with capacity to be reached in 2006, significant expansion plans are being explored. Managing director Peter Duffy outlined developments.
Duffy said: “We are anticipating just short of one million passengers this year – around 970,000. We handled 450,000 passengers last year. It was virtually an overnight change, as a result of the introduction on Thomsonfly.com with eight new destinations.”
Understandably, throughput isn’t expected to double again next year, although Duffy does forecast a significant increase to 1.2 million in 2006. “That will be the trigger for increased capacity. Capacity will be stretched at 1.2 million; we will need terminal and infrastructure expansion,” said Duffy. “We have done all we can do in terms of the existing terminal. We are now looking at new build and redevelopment. We are looking at the best means of achieving capacity, but it’s a little early to say what form that will take – whether or not a new terminal will be necessary.”
The first phase of expansion, which is likely to increase capacity to 1.75-1.8 million, will begin next year. It is then anticipated that phased growth will lead to a capacity of three million – throughput is expected to reach that level by 2015. According to Duffy, passenger numbers could reach anything up to six million in the long term. Bournemouth is currently undertaking a master planning process for the period to 2030, but is also looking at developments in the more immediate term.
The airport certainly has the land to accommodate future growth. Duffy said: “One of the great benefits of the airport is the 80 hectares of land, so it is not constrained in terms of land ownership.”
Throughput doubling this year has already necessitated £3 million of investment in terminal improvements. Developments, both landside and airside, have focused largely on retail and food and beverage. For example, there is a WHSmith’s and O’Brien’s Sandwich Bar landside and Food Village and Bars des Voyageurs airside, as well as an improved duty/tax free shop.
The immigration hall has also increased in size and a second baggage carousel been installed in the arrivals hall. Duffy said: “We have added 450 car park spaces recently and there is the possibility of another 300 next summer.”
LCC growth
Thomsonfly has already flown more than 240,000 passengers so far this year and taken 340,000 bookings in total for 2005.
Thomsonfly.com marketing director Maria Heckel said: “Since we started flying from Bournemouth in March we have had great feedback from our customers. The bookings speak for themselves – showing the success of Thomsonfly.com and the demand for the service we’re providing. This information enables us to tailor the service and operation in to the future.”
Unsurprisingly, Bournemouth’s thriving tourist industry – more than three million visitors per year – means the airport predominantly handles tourist traffic. Duffy did, however, express a desire to attract more business travellers.
The number of language schools in Bournemouth also contributes to throughput. “I’m told that there are 50,000 language students in Bournemouth – they are part and parcel of our customer base,” said Duffy.
Bournemouth’s growth is primarily related to low-cost carriers, which now account for 80% of services. easyJet will launch a Geneva service in December, which Duffy described as “very significant”. While the airline hasn’t indicated any further services from Bournemouth, Duffy reported strong bookings for the Geneva route.
I am assuming this is a news article. Please quote your source. Thanks Hawk
Last edited by FLYboh; 29th Dec 2005 at 11:33.