Frankfurt
When LH pulled the FRA route at the end of April 2009 their UK chief said she couldn't see any circumstances where it would be reinstated in 2010. 2011 therefore looks the earliest it might return, if it does at all. Probably depends significantly on the world economic situation becoming much healthier.
April's passenger figures
As Pete has pointed out BRS was down 12.5% in April which was third best of the top twenty airports so far reporting. Belfast City was best down 10.5% followed by Liverpool down 12.4%. Next in line was Southampton down 19.3%.
BRS and LPL were neck and neck in April 2009 too with BRS handling 417,000 and LPL 415,000. GLA was way ahead then with 569,000.
Looking at BRS's April 2010 figures, a rough calculation would suggest that had the airport not been shut for the extended volcano dust period (as of course were all UK airports) it would have seen an increase in passenger numbers of around 6% at a conservative estimate. This would have continued the recovery seen in February (+13.6%) and March (+9.5%).
Car parking charges survey
A bit of a surprise in the WhichCar survey of the UK's 15 busiest airports to find BRS came out third cheapest after Belfast International and Liverpool airports for on-site seven-day car parking (£29). The usual cry from locals is that the airport is one of the most expensive in the country for car parking.
Major expansion planning application
It seems the day has finally been named for the long-awaited decision.
The full Planning and Regulatory Committee of North Somerset Unitary Authority will hear the application at 1400 hours on Monday 24 May 2010 according to its website.
An area planning committee has already recommended approval but in the current climate that means little, especially now that we have a change of government that has set its face against new runways at major London airports, and North Somerset is a Conservative dominated council.
Fingers and everything crossed but I wouldn't bet my house on the outcome of the councillors' deliberations.