Hello jerboy,
Other options would be extremely difficult to achieve realistically.
The airport's major expansion planning application is due for hearing on 3 March and opposition is immense.
A main plank of the opponents' case is the reliance on private transport by airline passengers. In the 90s there was a mini bus link with Bristol that was infrequent. About ten years ago the airport apparently determined it would set about providing its own regular connection with the city, hence the Flyer.
At the time First Group owned a majority share in the airport with Bristol City Council having the minority share. That was probably why First Coaches was chosen as the operator of the Flyer, as a sort of inhouse venture perhaps. There was talk of a seamless transport interchange as First also own First Great Western, the main train company in the region.
First gave up all its interest in the airport in 2001 but the Flyer continued.
First does dominate Greater Bristol but the Rotala Group operating as Wessex Connect has an increasing presence in the city, including the operation of two park and rides and the city's night buses, so there could be another option if Rotala really wanted to become involved.
The airport has included section 106 payments in its planning application of £100,000 per annum to enhance the only other bus service (route 121) that accesses the airport. It's a meandering village tour between Bristol and Weston – the main bus routes between Bristol and Weston operate along the A370 and don't pass the airport. Route 121 is operated by First (except Sundays when a local company does the honours) but is two-hourly, doesn't contribute much to airport passenger numbers and was going to be withdrawn last year until the local authority stepped in with a subsidy.
The section 106 proposals also include contributions of over £5 million towards Bristol Rapid Transport Phase 1 and the South Bristol Link. Phase 1 could be in operation by 2013 and involves buses running from the Temple Meads area on dedicated tracks to Long Ashton near the proposed Bristol City football stadium for much of the route. There has been talk in the local Press that the Flyer would use this route and also part of the South Bristol Link. It would be further than the current route via Bedminster but, in theory, at least should be as quick and not subject to traffic delays.
I've used the Flyer several times in the past few months and the Temple Meads-Airport section has never taken more than 25 minutes. I've probably been lucky.