Bristol airport boss apologises for flight disruption

Bristol airport re-opened this morning following drainage work to its newly resurfaced runway following a weekend of flight disruption.

easyJet cancelled all flights to and from Bristol airport for the third day running on Sunday, citing “concerns over the reliability of the newly resurfaced runway” in wet weather conditions. 

In total, 10 airlines either cancelled or diverted flights on Sunday and further disruption is expected today while normal service is expected to resume tomorrow.

Almost 400 flights and 25,000 passengers were affected over the weekend, according to reports. Seven other airlines continued to use the airport.

EasyJet will operate 60% of its Bristol schedule from Cardiff airport today (Monday), but 20 flights will be cancelled.

The airline said it expected to resume normal operations from Bristol International Airport “within the next few days” once the maintenance is complete.

The runway was closed yesterday afternoon to allow for work on temporary sections of the runway. 

The runway re-opened at 10.25 this morning, after being closed at 14.30 yesterday. The first flight to land was a Continental Airways aircraft from New York.

“The engineering work undertaken overnight has proved successful in increasing the drainage of water from the 300 metre section of temporary surface in place on the part of the runway being resurfaced,” an airport statement said.

Airlines will be progressively returning to normal operations over the next 24 hours, the airport added.

Passengers should continue to check with their airlines, tour operators or travel agents to confirm details of their flights, or visit www.bristolairport.co.uk.

An earlier airport statement said: “The Civil Aviation Authority has confirmed they have no objection to the proposed additional grooving work to be undertaken on the temporary sections of the runway. We are confident that for those airlines which have suspended their operations at Bristol International Airport, this will address their concerns and allow them to resume operations at the airport.

Airport managing director Andrew Skipp said: “Safety is always our top priority.  At all times the CAA have confirmed that our runway is safe, and the process we have been following for the re-surfacing, which is still underway, is correct. 

“As we have done throughout the resurfacing programme we will continue to liaise fully with our airlines partners and provide them with all the information they need to operate from the airport.

“I can only apologise to travellers for the disruption this is causing to their journeys, and reassure them that we are working hard to rectify the situation as quickly as possible.

“Passengers are advised to contact their travel agent or airlines direct for an update, or check the Bristol International website www.bristolairport.co.uk for up to date information.”

EasyJet said the original decision to cease flying from the airport was taken following “extensive discussions” with the airport and the CAA.

“The safety of its passengers, crew and aircraft is easyJet’s first priority,” the airline said in a statement.

Customers are entitled to a refund of the fare paid or a free transfer on to another easyJet flight within the next month.

Report by Phil Davies