Bristol Airport releases 2040 Master Plan following public consultation

Bristol Airport has unveiled its final Master Plan, setting out its vision through to 2040 after an extensive public consultation process.

The plan outlines how the airport intends to accommodate growing regional travel demand, enhance connectivity, and support economic development across the South West.

A key feature of the vision is increasing annual passenger numbers from 12m to 15m by the late 2030s. This growth would be underpinned by infrastructure improvements and an increase in annual aircraft movements—from nearly 86,000 to 100,000. On peak days this would equate to around 35 additional aircraft movements.

The Master Plan also includes aspirations to introduce a limited number of long-haul routes, such as destinations on the east coast of the United States and in the Middle East. According to the airport, these services would strengthen regional connectivity, attract inbound tourism and support local businesses seeking international opportunities.

The proposed expansion is projected to generate £3 bn in Gross Value Added (GVA) and create up to 1,000 new jobs, with a focus on areas such as Weston-super-Mare and South Bristol. Currently, more than 70% of the airport’s workforce lives locally.

Launched in November 2024, the draft Master Plan underwent a 10-week consultation period. During this time, over 19,000 people viewed the proposals online, 200 attended public events, and 2,381 submitted written feedback. Input from residents, businesses, and stakeholders has informed the final version of the plan.

While existing night flying restrictions will largely remain, the airport is proposing an additional four flights a day during peak periods.

Bristol Airport’s Chief Executive, Dave Lees, “We’re continuing to see strong demand to travel to and from our region, with business travel surprisingly holding up since the pandemic and people wanting to connect with friends and family across Europe.

“Each year, over ten million people from our region travel to London airports. By offering more direct services from Bristol, we aim to reduce the need for long-distance travel to catch a flight.”

“We understand the concerns surrounding carbon emissions and climate change, which is why we’re putting forward proposals for what we believe to be responsible growth,” he said.

The airport will now begin work on a detailed planning application, expected to be submitted later this year. The Master Plan will act as a roadmap for future development, aiming to boost the region’s air connectivity while addressing its environmental commitments.