Passengers are being advised to prepare for a busy bank holiday getaway by bosses of an airport blighted by lengthy queues and other travel issues. Bristol Airport chiefs admitted it had experienced "challenges" ahead of handling the expected late summer rush to the sun.
Busiest days are predicted to be August 25 and 26 when an estimated 32,000 passengers a day will pass through the airport. Throughout the month, some 900,000 people are forecast to use the airport, which was badly hit by passenger delays and baggage issues earlier this summer.
However, it claims a successful recruitment drive has boosted staff numbers, while surge teams will be on standby to help during busy periods in the pre-bank holiday getaway. Top destinations this month include Palma de Mallorca, Alicante and Dublin.
Graeme Gamble, chief operating officer, Bristol Airport, said: “We have already seen a strong increase in passenger numbers over the past few months and we are rapidly approaching pre-pandemic passenger levels. With Bristol Airport seeing the fastest recovery of any UK airport, the strong demand for travel demonstrates the continued customer confidence in travelling abroad.
“Whilst the airport has seen some challenges over the past few months, the Bristol Airport team and business partners have been working hard to ensure customers have as smooth and easy a journey through our terminal as possible. This includes recruiting hundreds of people and we have held a series of jobs fairs.
In addition, non-operational colleagues have been in the operation every week, working shifts to support our frontline teams. We’ve put in place surge teams so that additional resource can be deployed where it’s needed at short notice."
He added: "We also work very closely with our airlines to ensure all our business partners are up to date with the latest schedules. We continue to advise all customers to arrive at check-in at least a minimum of two hours prior to their scheduled departure time and to be prepared before arriving at security.”
Passengers are advised to prepare and plan ahead:
• Check-in online
• Arrive in the terminal a minimum of two hours prior to their scheduled departure time
• Jet2, TUI, and easyJet customers can check in their bags the evening before their morning flight – with free parking in the airport Short Stay car park provided.
Getting ready for security speeds up the journey through the terminal. Bristol Airport recommends:
• Have your boarding card ready
• Remove laptops, tablets, and other large electrical devices
• Remove liquids and place them in transparent, re-sealable plastic bags
• Empty your pockets into the trays provided
• Take off jackets, coats, and belts
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