Lois Larson
Bristol Airport (IATA: BRS, ICAO: EGGD) is an international airport serving Bristol, England, and the surrounding area. It is located on the northern slopes of the Mendip Hills in North Somerset, about 8.1 miles southwest of Bristol city centre. The airport, which was built on the site of a former RAF airfield, has been operational since 1957 and has undergone several expansions and improvements over the years, including the addition of new terminals, transport links, and an on-site hotel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Lulsgate Bottom, on the northern slopes of the Mendip Hills, in North Somerset |
| Distance from Bristol City Centre | 7 nautical miles (13 km; 8.1 mi) |
| Year of Opening | 1957 |
| Previous Name | Bristol (Lulsgate) Airport |
| Number of Runways | 1 |
| Runway Designation | 09/27 |
| Runway Length | 2,011 m (6,598 ft) |
| Airlines Operating Scheduled Flights | Pegasus Airlines, Aer Lingus, easyJet, Jet2, KLM, Ryanair, Swiss, Wizz Air |
| On-site Hotel | Hampton by Hilton |
| Bus Services | Airport Flyer (A1), A2, A3, A4 'Air Decker', South West Falcon, Service 216, WESTlink |
| Train Services | South Bristol Link, MetroBus rapid transit route |
| Expansion Plans | Construction of a £60 million transport hub, extension of airport to accommodate 12 million passengers |
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What You'll Learn
Bristol Airport's expansion plans
Bristol Airport, located in southwest England, has unveiled expansion plans to accommodate growing passenger demand and boost regional connectivity. The airport targets an increase in annual passenger capacity to 15 million by 2036, up from the current limit of 12 million. This involves almost doubling the terminal space from 70,000 square metres to 130,000 square metres.
The expansion plans also include a 150-metre runway extension to accommodate larger aircraft capable of serving new long-haul routes to destinations such as New York and Dubai. The wider taxiways and apron expansions will reduce congestion and delays, with aircraft movements projected to rise from 85,990 to 100,000 annually.
In November 2024, the airport opened a consultation on further expansion plans, including launching direct long-haul flights to the Middle East. This follows a previous announcement in 2018, which was met with considerable backlash, as 84% of locals voted to reject plans to extend car parking areas onto protected land around the airport. The local council and North Somerset Council rejected the expansion plans, citing detrimental effects on the area and the wider impact on the environment.
However, the airport appealed the decision, and in February 2022, the Planning Inspectorate granted the appeal. Resistance groups such as the Bristol Airport Action Network (BAAN) and Stop Bristol Airport Expansion have led campaigns against the expansion, highlighting the additional one million tonnes of carbon emissions that will be generated annually. In May 2023, the Court of Appeal dismissed the final possible legal challenge against the airport's expansion plan.
The airport has since announced the commencement of its expansion, starting with a £60 million transport hub and car park project, which includes one of the region's largest bus interchanges and over 2,000 new parking spaces.
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Transport to and from the airport
Bristol Airport, located at Lulsgate Bottom, is an international airport serving Bristol, England, and the surrounding area. It is approximately 13 km southwest of Bristol city centre.
By bus and coach
The Airport Flyer bus service connects the airport to Bristol Temple Meads railway station and Bristol bus station. The A1 service is operated by First West of England on behalf of Bristol Airport. The same company also operates the A2 and A3 services to and from Weston-super-Mare, with the A3 route being more direct. The A4 'Air Decker' service, operated by Bath Bus Company, links the airport with southern Bristol suburbs, Keynsham, and Bath. The South West Falcon service, operated by Stagecoach South West, runs between Bristol and Plymouth via the airport, as well as Bridgwater, Taunton, and Exeter. The WESTlink on-demand bus also serves the airport.
National Express provides a regular coach service to Newport and Cardiff, and there are also frequent bus services to and from Bath and Weston-super-Mare.
By rail
You can connect to the rail network at Bristol Temple Meads station by taking the A1 bus service.
By car
The South Bristol Link, part of the MetroBus rapid transit route, was opened in 2017 and has reduced journey times to the airport for both bus passengers and car drivers.
By taxi
Taxis are available at the airport for transport to and from your destination.
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Bristol Airport's ranking among UK airports
Bristol Airport, located in North Somerset, is an international airport serving the city of Bristol, England, and the surrounding areas. It is one of the busiest airports in the UK, handling over 8.9 million passengers in 2019, an increase of 3% from 2018.
In terms of rankings, Bristol Airport has received mixed reviews, being named among the best and worst airports in the UK by different sources. In 2023, Bristol Airport was ranked 12th out of 26 UK airports surveyed by Which?, with a customer score of 56%. This placed it in the middle of the pack, between Heathrow's Terminal 5 and Aberdeen. The airport received three out of five stars for its queues at check-in, bag drop, security, and passport control. It also got three stars for baggage reclaim and the range of shops, two stars for seating, and three stars for staff.
In contrast, in 2024, Bristol Airport was ranked among the bottom 10 worst airports in the UK in a survey by Which?, where 5,000 members rated airports across 11 categories, including seating, staff, toilets, and queues. The survey found that smaller airports performed better than larger ones, with shorter queues and a less stressful experience overall.
Bristol Airport has been recognised for its convenience and environmental benefits for local travellers, providing an alternative to long drives to larger airports like Heathrow. The airport has also expanded its facilities, including the addition of an on-site hotel, and has ongoing expansion plans to accommodate growing passenger numbers.
In summary, Bristol Airport's ranking among UK airports varies depending on the source and the criteria used for evaluation. While it has been recognised for its convenience and environmental benefits, it has also faced criticism for issues with queues, seating, and other passenger amenities.
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Bristol Airport's history
The story of Bristol Airport began in 1927 when a group of local businessmen established the Bristol and Wessex Aeroplane Club through public subscriptions. The club was based at Filton Aerodrome, which later became the birthplace of Concorde. In 1929, the success of the flying club inspired a more ambitious project—the development of a fully-fledged airport for Bristol. An area of farmland at Whitchurch, on the outskirts of the city, was purchased, and the construction of Bristol's first airport began.
On 31 May 1930, HRH Prince George, the son of King George V, officially opened Bristol Airport. It became the third civil airport in the United Kingdom. Early passenger numbers were promising, growing from 900 in 1930 to over 4,000 by 1939. During World War II, Whitchurch Airport remained operational, serving as a base for the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) and hosting flights to neutral nations like Portugal.
After the war, the future of Whitchurch Airport looked uncertain due to its limited capacity for expansion. In 1955, Bristol won a decade-long campaign for a new city airport, and the former RAF airfield at Lulsgate Bottom was chosen as the site. The new airport, named Bristol (Lulsgate) Airport, opened in May 1957 and was inaugurated by Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent. The airport's first year saw 33,000 passengers and a significant amount of freight pass through.
Over the following decades, Bristol Airport underwent several improvements and expansions, including runway extensions, terminal upgrades, and the addition of new facilities. In 1997, the airport was rebranded as Bristol International Airport, reflecting its growing international connections. That same year, a majority shareholding was sold to FirstGroup, who invested significantly in the airport's development. A new terminal building opened in 2000, and by 2001, the airport was sold to Macquarie Bank and Cintra.
In 2010, the airport underwent another rebranding, becoming Bristol Airport and introducing a new logo and slogan. The airport continued to grow, handling over 8.9 million passengers in 2019 and offering flights from airlines such as EasyJet and Ryanair. Bristol Airport's history reflects its evolution from a local airfield to an international gateway, serving the city of Bristol and the surrounding areas.
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Bristol Airport's environmental impact
Bristol Airport, located 13 km southwest of Bristol city centre in England, has laid out its sustainability strategy, which includes targets for cutting emissions and enhancing the local environment. The airport has been awarded level 4+ for its efforts to transform operations and achieve absolute emissions reductions. It has also established a fund to fast-track decarbonisation initiatives, focusing on Scope 3 emissions from flights and transport.
In its sustainability strategy, Bristol Airport has outlined its commitment to embedding sustainability principles into its operations, development, and collaborations. The airport has undergone extensive internal and external stakeholder engagement to understand the social and environmental impacts and develop sustainability objectives. The strategy sets core goals for the next five years, with ambitious objectives and a robust governance structure to ensure accountability.
However, the airport's expansion plans have faced opposition from environmental groups. In 2013, the airport published a Master Plan for expansion over the period 2006-2030. The World Development Movement claimed that flights from the airport generated carbon dioxide emissions equivalent to the entire nation of Malawi. A campaign against the expansion was led by Stop Bristol Airport Expansion, supported by Bristol Friends of the Earth and the Campaign to Protect Rural England.
To improve connectivity and reduce environmental impacts, the airport has invested in transport infrastructure. The South Bristol Link, part of the MetroBus rapid transit route, opened in 2017, reducing journey times for bus passengers and car drivers. Additionally, the Airport Flyer bus service connects the airport to Bristol Temple Meads railway station and Bristol bus station. The airport also has an on-site hotel, operated by Hampton by Hilton, reducing the need for additional travel for passengers requiring overnight stays.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Bristol Airport is operational.
There are currently very low delays at Bristol Airport.
The weather at Bristol Airport is currently partly cloudy and 54°F (12°C) with 11-knot winds from the south and 6-mile visibility.
If you notice any damage to your baggage, you should report it to the airline ground handling agent before leaving the airport. If you notice the damage after you have left the airport, contact your airline directly.
All special assistance requirements should be pre-booked through your tour operator and/or airline before arriving at Bristol Airport.
