BRISTOL - 4
Join Date: Apr 2007
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Great news, its about time the supporters and the airport emerged from all this OTT overspill given to us from the NIMBYS.
Does anyone have any 'artists' impressions or anything; just wondering whether it'll literally be a metal shed walkway, or perhaps something with 'sit-down' gate areas? Perhaps someone will know!
Does anyone have any 'artists' impressions or anything; just wondering whether it'll literally be a metal shed walkway, or perhaps something with 'sit-down' gate areas? Perhaps someone will know!
Join Date: Jan 2006
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Nqyguy,
Have a look at the Bristol international airport web site and look at the news and press releases, very impressive with five views incuding the ext with the walkway-two storey, lifts etc. no sit down facilities though- that would upset the nimby's
Have a look at the Bristol international airport web site and look at the news and press releases, very impressive with five views incuding the ext with the walkway-two storey, lifts etc. no sit down facilities though- that would upset the nimby's
Join Date: Aug 2008
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There will be no 'bridges' from the walkway to the actual aircraft though are there? I suppose the council would not allow this on account of it making the whole airport experience being too pleasant for the paying customer, therefore making it more likely they will use the airport again in the future and thus increasing passenger numbers to an 'unaaceptable' level? 
Join Date: Aug 2008
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Is it just me, or is BRS very quiet in terms of new developments/ routes/ airlines compared to its peers? I mean NCL have recently secured Aer Lingus to Dublin, there is talk of a service to Frankfurt, and some new routes coming online with Ryanair, Leeds, is picking up new routes with Jet2 whilst BRS just seems to tread water.... Do you think we are falling behind compared to other regionals like NCL and EMA?
Brunel to Concorde
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Virtute et Industria, et Sumorsaete Ealle
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BRS has had a phenomenal run for more than a decade and it is inevitable that the existing comprehensive route network would reach the stage where new destinations become more and more difficult to find, and in the severe economic maelstrom in which we find ourselves new routes are going to be more elusive still.
In passenger number terms BRS has been going very well in 2008. It is one of the few airports in the UK that has seen percentage rises in passenger numbers every month this year until and including October, and October’s admittedly modest gain of just under one per cent was achieved despite the loss of the significant XL route network.
I regard BRS’s peer airports on the mainland as EMA, LPL and NCL as each one is in the 5-6 mppa bracket, along with BRS.
BRS handled 6.32 million pax in the 12-month period ending 31 October 2008, up 8.7% on the same period last year. EMA’s figures are 5.72 million up 7.9% on 2007; LPL 5.43 million up 0.1% on 2007; NCL 5.09 million down 10.3% on 2007. You also mentioned LBA – its figures are 2.91 million up 1.4% on 2007.
It will be seen that by this measure BRS’s year has been broadly similar to EMA but better than LPL and considerably better than NCL.
The coming winter will inevitably see a significant drop in passenger numbers at BRS with fewer charter flights and a marked reduction in rotations by easyJet in particular, but I doubt that many, if any, airports will see much growth this winter.
Next summer’s easyJet timetable seems similar to summer 2008 and the last time I looked Ryanair’s summer timetable appears to have enough work to keep their two based aircraft fully employed. In the current climate these things might be looked on as a positive.
Rumours have been floating around on a BRS unofficial message board that FR will add two more aircraft in the early part of next year. If that is the case, and I have no firm evidence that it is, there would no doubt be some new routes to keep the additional aircraft occupied. Against this is FR’s condemnation of the increased UK apd announced this week with the airline saying it will now enter into discussions with regional airports ‘about the future viability of passenger traffic and growth in the light of this increased cost’.
These are very unusual times and probably BRS’s priority is to retain the carriers, routes and passengers it already has until the economy begins to improve. I’m sure that behind the scenes though the management is always looking to the future and ever on the lookout to expand services.
Incidentally, unlike his predecessors going back to Dear Old Les, the new MD does not seem to have put himself about much in the local news media, unless I have missed all his appearances/interviews. In fact, I’ve never seen him on the local telly at all.
In passenger number terms BRS has been going very well in 2008. It is one of the few airports in the UK that has seen percentage rises in passenger numbers every month this year until and including October, and October’s admittedly modest gain of just under one per cent was achieved despite the loss of the significant XL route network.
I regard BRS’s peer airports on the mainland as EMA, LPL and NCL as each one is in the 5-6 mppa bracket, along with BRS.
BRS handled 6.32 million pax in the 12-month period ending 31 October 2008, up 8.7% on the same period last year. EMA’s figures are 5.72 million up 7.9% on 2007; LPL 5.43 million up 0.1% on 2007; NCL 5.09 million down 10.3% on 2007. You also mentioned LBA – its figures are 2.91 million up 1.4% on 2007.
It will be seen that by this measure BRS’s year has been broadly similar to EMA but better than LPL and considerably better than NCL.
The coming winter will inevitably see a significant drop in passenger numbers at BRS with fewer charter flights and a marked reduction in rotations by easyJet in particular, but I doubt that many, if any, airports will see much growth this winter.
Next summer’s easyJet timetable seems similar to summer 2008 and the last time I looked Ryanair’s summer timetable appears to have enough work to keep their two based aircraft fully employed. In the current climate these things might be looked on as a positive.
Rumours have been floating around on a BRS unofficial message board that FR will add two more aircraft in the early part of next year. If that is the case, and I have no firm evidence that it is, there would no doubt be some new routes to keep the additional aircraft occupied. Against this is FR’s condemnation of the increased UK apd announced this week with the airline saying it will now enter into discussions with regional airports ‘about the future viability of passenger traffic and growth in the light of this increased cost’.
These are very unusual times and probably BRS’s priority is to retain the carriers, routes and passengers it already has until the economy begins to improve. I’m sure that behind the scenes though the management is always looking to the future and ever on the lookout to expand services.
Incidentally, unlike his predecessors going back to Dear Old Les, the new MD does not seem to have put himself about much in the local news media, unless I have missed all his appearances/interviews. In fact, I’ve never seen him on the local telly at all.
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Bristol
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BRS for Business
Thought I'd share this for discussion and information.
I've just hosted a 2-day conference in Bristol. 35 delegates, 17 of whom were overseas.
I managed to get 13 of them to use BRS, with the incentive that we would get people to pick them up / drop them off if they did. In the end and despite that, one used Heathrow + Coach to Bristol and another used Heathrow + Heathrow Express + First Great Western. Both used "cheaper fares" for their justification (although the guy on the HEX + Train actually spent more). 2 were already in the country.
Of the 13, the breakdown was:
4 KLM
4 LH
2 AF
2 EZY
1 SN
Various arrival times. 10 out this afternon on the AF/KL/LH flights. 3 going tomorrow on EZY and KL.
What Did They Experience?
Views of BRS were all totally positive. Ogranised, good size, well located, convenient. Loved the 20 minute drive into the city. Fares were reasonable, when taking into account the Heathrow Hassle.
We got caught in *dreadful* traffic getting out of Bristol this evening (around Redcliffe Way), and had a slightly panicky turn-up at the airport. But the way through security was clear, fast and (nearly) everyone made it.
The Airlines
Tuesday night arrivals were all fine. Punctual, and swiftly through the airport and into their hotels. 10/10.
Wednesday morning was bad. SN made it in on time, LH was 45 minutes late, AF was 68 minutes late... and no surprise, KL cancelled leaving 3 stranded in AMS, all of whom missed key sessions. EZY was punctual. Apart from the KL crowd, nobody was too annoyed. KL finally got them in around lunchtime. One of the LH flyers ended up taking the Airport Flyer (because he missed the driver), and was full of praise for it. Overall, 5/10. (Dragged down by KL)
Wednesday evening arrivals. All good.
Thursday evening departures. AF punctual, KL punctual, LH 25 minutes late. We (I) screwed up by leaving Central Bristol a little too late (due to a tawdry passenger), and getting royally stuck for 25 minutes on Redcliffe Way. The AF Passengers went earlier (20 minutes earlier, at 15:50) and were at the airport by 16:20. The KL passengers ran like wild through security and got their 17:25, and the LH passengers were fine, and well looked after and safely made their flight.
Why KL made no friends
So let's look at our KL crowd's experience.
Cancelled on the way inbound, and arrived 2.5 hours late, having missed key sessions.
The one of the party wasn't able to board at BRS on the way back, because he has been offloaded back in AMS due to the cancelled flight, and not re-checked. The other three were OK, but they closed the flight before they could sort this guy's ticket and BP out, and so he's currently enjoying the Holiday Inn. But I feel slightly less guilty, because his colleague rang me from AMS and told me that his onward flight from AMS was cancelled, so he would have been stranded anyway. Way to go, KLM. That's the way to look after people.
All the Bristol based team were courteous, polite, apologetic and as helpful as they could be. (I don't think it was too unreasonable to close the flight at 15 minutes before push-back, and I take some of the blame for not getting out the door earlier).
Next time?
This conference lands in Bristol about every 3 years on its world-tour, so I hope people will be more encouraged to fly into/out of BRS. However, I suspect word will get out that it's worth avoiding KL.
Overall though, people were really surprised at how much an improvement flying to BRS was over the Heathrow Hassle.
Strangest corporate travel booking. CDG-AMS-BRS-AMS-CDG???? Huh??? Was the AF really full both ways??
I've just hosted a 2-day conference in Bristol. 35 delegates, 17 of whom were overseas.
I managed to get 13 of them to use BRS, with the incentive that we would get people to pick them up / drop them off if they did. In the end and despite that, one used Heathrow + Coach to Bristol and another used Heathrow + Heathrow Express + First Great Western. Both used "cheaper fares" for their justification (although the guy on the HEX + Train actually spent more). 2 were already in the country.
Of the 13, the breakdown was:
4 KLM
4 LH
2 AF
2 EZY
1 SN
Various arrival times. 10 out this afternon on the AF/KL/LH flights. 3 going tomorrow on EZY and KL.
What Did They Experience?
Views of BRS were all totally positive. Ogranised, good size, well located, convenient. Loved the 20 minute drive into the city. Fares were reasonable, when taking into account the Heathrow Hassle.
We got caught in *dreadful* traffic getting out of Bristol this evening (around Redcliffe Way), and had a slightly panicky turn-up at the airport. But the way through security was clear, fast and (nearly) everyone made it.
The Airlines
Tuesday night arrivals were all fine. Punctual, and swiftly through the airport and into their hotels. 10/10.
Wednesday morning was bad. SN made it in on time, LH was 45 minutes late, AF was 68 minutes late... and no surprise, KL cancelled leaving 3 stranded in AMS, all of whom missed key sessions. EZY was punctual. Apart from the KL crowd, nobody was too annoyed. KL finally got them in around lunchtime. One of the LH flyers ended up taking the Airport Flyer (because he missed the driver), and was full of praise for it. Overall, 5/10. (Dragged down by KL)
Wednesday evening arrivals. All good.
Thursday evening departures. AF punctual, KL punctual, LH 25 minutes late. We (I) screwed up by leaving Central Bristol a little too late (due to a tawdry passenger), and getting royally stuck for 25 minutes on Redcliffe Way. The AF Passengers went earlier (20 minutes earlier, at 15:50) and were at the airport by 16:20. The KL passengers ran like wild through security and got their 17:25, and the LH passengers were fine, and well looked after and safely made their flight.
Why KL made no friends
So let's look at our KL crowd's experience.
Cancelled on the way inbound, and arrived 2.5 hours late, having missed key sessions.
The one of the party wasn't able to board at BRS on the way back, because he has been offloaded back in AMS due to the cancelled flight, and not re-checked. The other three were OK, but they closed the flight before they could sort this guy's ticket and BP out, and so he's currently enjoying the Holiday Inn. But I feel slightly less guilty, because his colleague rang me from AMS and told me that his onward flight from AMS was cancelled, so he would have been stranded anyway. Way to go, KLM. That's the way to look after people.
All the Bristol based team were courteous, polite, apologetic and as helpful as they could be. (I don't think it was too unreasonable to close the flight at 15 minutes before push-back, and I take some of the blame for not getting out the door earlier).
Next time?
This conference lands in Bristol about every 3 years on its world-tour, so I hope people will be more encouraged to fly into/out of BRS. However, I suspect word will get out that it's worth avoiding KL.
Overall though, people were really surprised at how much an improvement flying to BRS was over the Heathrow Hassle.
Strangest corporate travel booking. CDG-AMS-BRS-AMS-CDG???? Huh??? Was the AF really full both ways??
Brunel to Concorde
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Fascinating stuff B_T and it’s good to see you’re doing your bit to encourage use of the local airport.
I once travelled AMS-BRU-BRS but it was only because we volunteered to be bumped off a full KLM flight (the offer was too good to refuse) and we were then re-routed with Sabena, changing aircraft at Zaventem – some years ago of course.
It’s a pity about KLM letting the side down. I still notice the odd CityHopper cancellation at BRS but not as many as was the case earlier in the year. Seems the Fokkers are sometimes, uhm……………. Fokkers.
Had they come up to the mark you would have had a near one hundred per cent satisfaction rate. I think a lot of people will use regional airports if the product is right and the price competitive.
Like you I have done my bit in fostering the use of BRS by putting a fair few people their way down the years – not completely altruistic because I want to keep routes and carriers going as I never know when I might need them. We’re much too old now to want to flog over to Heathrow.
My best effort was in suggesting to an entire family emigrating to South Africa – they were our neighbours at the time – that Bristol would be worth looking at. They did look, liked what they saw, went from Lulsgate and subsequently said they were delighted they did – using our old friends KLM via AMS.
Incidentally, I note the outgoing CEO’s comments about the FRA route (your favourite?) in the minutes of the airport consultative committee meeting that took place towards the end of October last when he said the route was doing ‘very well’. If true it could mean those high prices sometimes thrown up in the LH booking engine were actually paid by some people, because the load factors didn’t appear to be earth-shattering through the summer, although they might have been more than acceptable for a new route I suppose.
He also said the Oslo route had performed ‘very successfully’ during the summer period and he hoped it would return in summer 09.
I once travelled AMS-BRU-BRS but it was only because we volunteered to be bumped off a full KLM flight (the offer was too good to refuse) and we were then re-routed with Sabena, changing aircraft at Zaventem – some years ago of course.
It’s a pity about KLM letting the side down. I still notice the odd CityHopper cancellation at BRS but not as many as was the case earlier in the year. Seems the Fokkers are sometimes, uhm……………. Fokkers.
Had they come up to the mark you would have had a near one hundred per cent satisfaction rate. I think a lot of people will use regional airports if the product is right and the price competitive.
Like you I have done my bit in fostering the use of BRS by putting a fair few people their way down the years – not completely altruistic because I want to keep routes and carriers going as I never know when I might need them. We’re much too old now to want to flog over to Heathrow.
My best effort was in suggesting to an entire family emigrating to South Africa – they were our neighbours at the time – that Bristol would be worth looking at. They did look, liked what they saw, went from Lulsgate and subsequently said they were delighted they did – using our old friends KLM via AMS.
Incidentally, I note the outgoing CEO’s comments about the FRA route (your favourite?) in the minutes of the airport consultative committee meeting that took place towards the end of October last when he said the route was doing ‘very well’. If true it could mean those high prices sometimes thrown up in the LH booking engine were actually paid by some people, because the load factors didn’t appear to be earth-shattering through the summer, although they might have been more than acceptable for a new route I suppose.
He also said the Oslo route had performed ‘very successfully’ during the summer period and he hoped it would return in summer 09.
Join Date: May 2005
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Incidentally, I note the outgoing CEO’s comments about the FRA route (your favourite?) in the minutes of the airport consultative committee meeting that took place towards the end of October last when he said the route was doing ‘very well’. If true it could mean those high prices sometimes thrown up in the LH booking engine were actually paid by some people, because the load factors didn’t appear to be earth-shattering through the summer, although they might have been more than acceptable for a new route I suppose.
I think the strategy with the FRA route seems be to hang-onto margins, as generating volume is probably pretty hard in the current circumstances. If that's the case, it's a sound strategy to protect the long-term viability of the route. Load factors seem to be in the 50% mark, which doesn't lend itself to the low-fare high volume model. Availability of E, T, L fares (the lowest / promotional fares) is being very restricted, which does mean that the business traveller is unlikely to pay the lowest advertised prices. That said, I'm still comfortable justifying the price differential over the hassle of London.
Some of the prices originally in the engines were complete mistakes, with only the base IATA YY-type fares loaded. That shouldn't be happening now. I find that the fares to/from BRS are generally identical for those to/from BHX (for the same fare classes - comments about class availabilities notwithstanding).
If the route can get to / be / remain profitable in the current environment, then it will be great, and hopefully allow volumes to grow and fares to drop in the future. (At least LH's dreaded, and bordering on punitive, YQ surcharges might lighten up a bit!).
Brunel to Concorde
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Newark was reporting very strong winds and resultant delays last night and the overnight CO flights from there to EDI and GLA were also showing delays of several hours.
Could have been a knock-on effect from the weather.
My son and his family are on CO 77 that eventually took off shortly after 1500 hours this afternoon.
He spoke to me more than once from BRS this morning (not a happy bunny) and said no reason had been given to them for the delay.
Their final destination is Miami (MIA) and they were told this morning they had missed their connection to Florida.
The handling agents informed them they will be accommodated overnight at a hotel in the EWR area and flown on to Miami in the morning - via Atlanta!
Fortunately for them, they will be in the USA for nearly three weeks so the effective loss of one day's holiday is bearable.
Could have been a knock-on effect from the weather.
My son and his family are on CO 77 that eventually took off shortly after 1500 hours this afternoon.
He spoke to me more than once from BRS this morning (not a happy bunny) and said no reason had been given to them for the delay.
Their final destination is Miami (MIA) and they were told this morning they had missed their connection to Florida.
The handling agents informed them they will be accommodated overnight at a hotel in the EWR area and flown on to Miami in the morning - via Atlanta!
Fortunately for them, they will be in the USA for nearly three weeks so the effective loss of one day's holiday is bearable.
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Oh right, thats fair enough then. Strong winds can be dangerous sometimes. Awww I bet he wasnt a happy bunny. I wouldnt be. Im flying CO77 in about week and half. Staying in New York for New years cant wait. Hopefully weather will be ok, lets just hope it snows while im there and not while im at Bristol 
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Bristol International Airport Apron and Flight Information
This now includes the western apron. Well done
This now includes the western apron. Well done
Brunel to Concorde
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i was at work today and i was told that the aircraft had to wait for de-icing in Newark and also had a bad slot for depature.
Full marks to CO though. Having been told at BRS that they would be put up overnight and flown on to Miami this morning my son and his family actually made the the last CO direct flight of the day on Wednesday evening from Newark to Miami. He told me they stepped off CO 77 from BRS at 1915 local and boarded the MIA aircraft at 1950. Whether their luggage went with them in so short a transfer time I'm not sure.
santito,
No regular transatlantic charters this winter (there are occasional cruise flights to the Caribbean though). I think the TOM (former FCA) flights to Florida and Mexico resume in the summer.
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The early booking figures were very poor last year for SFB and POP (feb-apr), meaning First Choice ended up selling most seats at lower late deal prices, this in turn ment that they weren't getting the money needed to sustain the routes during feb-apr, it costs them slightly more to operate these routes as they need extra fuel to go via MAN/GLA.
The a/c could and has last summer on one occasion made it direct to SFB, but they can't put any cargo on it as it would be too heavy to go direct off BRS runway, and cargo is where the money usually is for these longhaul flights, hence why they operate the SFB via MAN and the CUN via GLA, Although I dont think CUN would make it direct even with no cargo.
The a/c could and has last summer on one occasion made it direct to SFB, but they can't put any cargo on it as it would be too heavy to go direct off BRS runway, and cargo is where the money usually is for these longhaul flights, hence why they operate the SFB via MAN and the CUN via GLA, Although I dont think CUN would make it direct even with no cargo.