Bristol Airport achieves record September
Passenger numbers at Bristol Airport, in North Somerset, topped 610,000 last month, the busiest September on record. The number of people passing through the terminal was up 1.5 per cent year on year, and surpassed the previous high of 601,432 recorded back in 2008.
Robert Sinclair, Chief Executive Officer at Bristol Airport, said: “Last month was the busiest September ever at Bristol Airport. Poor weather in July and August resulted in a lot of people heading abroad for some late summer sun, and we have also seen a resurgence in business travel. We are very fortunate to be the leading airport in the South West market, which has proven to more resilient than other regions over the last few years.
“While we do not expect to see such high passenger numbers over the winter as conditions continue to be tough for business and leisure travellers alike, September’s result is an encouraging sign that strong growth will return in 2012. To meet this anticipated demand we are already working on a range of further enhancements to the airport to accommodate the increased numbers and improve the overall passenger experience ahead of next summer.”
A significant factor behind the record September volumes was easyJet’s decision to extend the stay of an additional aircraft operating from Bristol throughout the summer. The airline bases 10 planes at the Airport year-round, with an eleventh aircraft to meet demand during the peak holiday season. This year the extra A320 remained in place until the end of September, making an additional 10,000 seats available to destinations including Geneva, Pisa, Nice and Malaga.
Despite tough economic conditions, passenger numbers for 2011 are expected to be close to last year’s total of 5.7 million, with growth forecast in 2012.
Aircraft movements in September continued their downward trend with a decrease of 2.8 per cent year on year, demonstrating the increased efficiencies of airlines operating larger aircraft with high load factors.
Published 20 October 2011
