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Cheap Bristol Airport Parking » Airport Information » History History of Bristol AirportA group of local businessmen, intending to begin a flying club at Filton Aerodrome, were the beginners of what was to become Bristol International Airport. They sold public subscriptions and raised the amount of 6000 pounds for their beginning. They invested in some farmland at Whitchurch where the airport would be built.
In 1929 they decided to build a functioning airport at the site they had bought. HRH Prince George officiated at the opening in 1930. At this time, Bristol was the third civil airport in the country. There were 935 passengers who came through this airport for flights in that year. By 1939 there were 4000 passengers coming through the airport.
The airport was requisitioned by Air Ministry during the war, allowing important passengers to come through Bristol instead of Croydon. Among those passengers were Winston Churchill and Amy Johnson. After the war ended, there was little hope that Bristol Airport had much of a future, but by 1955 the airport won a long, ten-year battle for a new city airport. This was the Lulsgate Bottom Airfield, purchased for 55,000 pounds by the Bristol Corporation. This new airport was opened by the Duchess of Kent in 1957, allowing 33,000 passengers to travel through Bristol in its first year of service to the community.
From 1963 through 1968, much reconstruction added to the value of the airport. The runway was made longer, and the terminal was expanded. Freight dealers rejoiced at the building of a 5000 square foot transit shed.
Of course, Bristol Airport felt the effects of the collapse of Court Line in 1973, as did all of the airports in the UK. The number of passengers served was of major concern.
The first flight of the Concorde from Filton (Bristol Airport) in 1979 was an historic event as were all of the later Concorde flights to and from this airport.
From 1980 through 1985, new building projects and the purchase of new equipment were highlights in the story of Bristol. Tour markets increased the traffic through Bristol Airport at this time, especially markets in Germany. A leisure centre and many new shops were added to the terminal. Fire-fighting vehicles were upgraded and a13 million pound state-of-the-art system for traffic growth were welcomed.
The Bristol City Council asked all of its employees to join Bristol Airport plc. The assets of the airport were transferred to the City of Bristol, making trading possible. This was in 1987.
Toward the end of the 1980s, shuttle services began moving passengers from the parking area to the terminal. The Brunel Lounge helped business travellers to relax and enjoy their waiting time at the airport.
Added flights and carriers added to the importance of Bristol Airport. Included in those flights was Brymon Airways, which expanded to open both domestic and international flights.
Shortly after the 100,000th passenger went through the airport, the Bristol Airport became the Bristol International Airport. That was in 1997. That same year marked the sale of the airport. In the new arrangement, the Bristol City Council retained 49% ownership while First Group owned the controlling 51%.
A new terminal was opened by HRH The Princess in 2000, the year of the first direct transatlantic flight to Toronto from Bristol by Royal Airlines.
The short-lived ownership by First Group and the Bristol City Council ended in 2001 when Macquarie Bank and Cintra bought the Bristol International Airport for 198 million pounds. Under new ownership, a new domestic baggage reclaim hall was opened the next year, an investment of 800,000 pounds.
As to recent awards for BIA, it was nominated as the Best UK Airport for 2004. It also received the OAG worldwide marketing award in 2004.
This airport, which was declared to have such a small future ahead of it, has endured the hardships and rejoiced in great advances to become one of the finest in the UK. Its relationship with the Concorde jet is just one of the thrilling stories associated with Bristol International Airport.
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