Airport Parking News

www.Parctel.com: David Hurst on a recent blog post reckons that Bristol Airport is not investing in their infrastructure, and he has a few complaints, one of which reads as follows:

4. A couple of months ago I went to collect a colleague from Bristol Airport, and parked my car in the usual car park. I didn’t have cash, so I just stuck my debit card in the machine on the way in and the way out. My colleague’s flight was delayed (not the Airport’s fault this time), so I had to park for about 3 hours. There was no seating in the terminal for me to wait at, so I sat on the floor. When I left the car park, the machine did not give me a receipt, so I didn’t know how much I’d been charged until I got my bank statement. More than £30…! For 3 hours’ car parking. Thieves!

Full Bristol Airport Story HERE

www.Parctel.com: North Somerset Council is continuing its crackdown on unauthorised car parks around Bristol International Airport.

A number of appeals from owners have been turned down after enforcement notices were served by the council.

The enforcement notices require the owners to cease using the land for parking and removing all vehicles not related to agriculture from the site.

Over the last four years 27 enforcement notices have been issued and 41 sites have closed, the council said.

'Airport Parking' Sites monitored:

Fourteen appeals by operators have been dismissed or withdrawn.

In the same time period 10 people have been fined a total of £135,000.

At present there are 11 sites being monitored and the council said it will continue to take action against them.

Most of the unofficial sites run a minibus shuttle service to the airport and are cheaper than long-term parking facilities at Bristol International.

Source: BBC

A COVERT operation mounted by a Langford resident has revealed that a developer has been using a mushroom farm as a car park without permission.

Two days after Bristol Park and Fly unveiled its plans for a park and ride scheme at Monaghan's Mushroom Farm, to serve Bristol International Airport, a villager found a website advertising airport parking at the farm.

The woman, who has asked not to be named, called a number on the website posing as a tourist and was given directions to the mushroom farm.

At least two further websites direct tourists looking for parking to the site in Stock Lane.

Bristol Park and Fly's managing director, Steven Merry, said: "There was a mistake with our booking agents and some have gone ahead but it will not be used until we have planning permission.

"We have spoken to North Somerset Council's enforcement officer about this and there does not seem to be any problem."

Mr Merry outlined his plans for a 1,200 space car park at a meeting attended by more than 70 residents two weeks ago, where fears were raised over noise, light and air pollution.

A council spokesman said: "If we do not receive an application then enforcement action may result."

A planning application will be submitted later this month.

Source: The Weston Mercury

www.Parctel.com: Nantes with Aer Arann from £49 one way!

Aer Arann, one of the fastest growing regional airlines in Europe, has delighted rugby fans by launching a new route from Bristol to Nantes in advance of the World Cup later this year.

The flights, which started on Saturday 28th April, operate twice a week on Tuesdays and Saturdays with one way prices including tax from just £49. Flights are available to book online now at www.aerarann.com.

Olly Morgan, Gloucester Rugby Club’s full back and England Rugby Union team member marked the start of the flights from Bristol International with representatives from Aer Arann and the airport. The new service provides a great opportunity for rugby fans across the South West and Wales to attend matches and enjoy the atmosphere in the city when the World Cup kicks off in France in September.

Nantes also offers a fantastic choice of things to do and is a perfect leisure break destination for the summer. Historical sites such as the The Castle of the Dukes of Brittany which dates from the 15th century, are a must see alongside the range of museums and cultural tours. Water-sports on the seven waterways which flow through the city are also a great option and include canoe-kayaking, sailing, rowing and cruising.

For further information and to book flights go to www.aerarann.com. Flights start at just £49 one way including taxes.

www.Parctel.com: Due to the amazing response to the Meet and Greet offer that was released to Travel Rewards members earlier this year, we are pleased to announce that a 10% discount is now available to Travel Rewards members for stays of 1-3 days up until 31st May 2007.

New for 2007 the on-site Meet and Greet service allows travelling drivers to draw up to the front of the airport, unload their luggage, hand over their car keys to their personal airport concierge and proceed straight into the terminal to check in for flights. The service is the first of its kind to be operated by an airport in the South West or South Wales.

Passengers who book the service in advance will have their cars collected by a concierge and parked on-site in the airport’s secured parking compound which is protected by both CCTV and number plate recognition systems. The new service will enable busy passengers, families and travellers with disabilities to quickly and easily access the main terminal, safe in the knowledge that their car will be looked after in their absence.

On their return journey passengers simply have to call the concierge team who will arrange for their car to be delivered to the rapid pick up car park, just 100 metres from the terminal, where the concierge will hand over their keys and passengers can quickly head on their way.

With many years experience in the business sector, Bristol Airport-Parking is a new venture that provides secure local parking to clients wishing to fly from Bristol Airport. Set-up in 2007, the company is situated in Hewish (Weston-Super-Mare).

The company provides a professional parking service to Bristol airport which is designed to be cost effective. With secure premises and an online payment facility, they have the services in place to make sure customers get the best service.

Featuring transport to the airport and back, the company delivers a full and reliable parking service that is perfect for anyone wishing to fly from Bristol airport. Available online at competitive prices, the parking can be booked and confirmed instantly.

Police and Bristol International Airport are seeking the support of aircraft enthusiasts to work together to ensure the site's safety and security as part of the Airport Watch scheme.

At a special event to be held on Saturday, March 24, 2007, police and Bristol Airport will brief the 'spotters' on activities to look out for to protect the airport from criminal and terrorist activity.

Inspector Chris Ware, in charge of the airport's dedicated police team, said: "There are many members of the public who regularly watch the activities at the airport from vantage points like Cooks Bridle Path.

"We have regular contact with many of them and are looking to harness their knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm so they can be our extra eyes and ears around the airport.

"The briefing will go into detail about the kinds of things we would like them to look out for and what action they should take in response. In return, they will get a preview of future plans for the airport, which they should find interesting.

"Provided the public watch activity at the airport in a legal and safe way, it can only be to everyone's advantage to work together through the Airport Watch scheme."

Anyone who regularly attends the vicinity of the airport is invited to attend the briefing, which will be held in the Bristol Suite at the Old Terminal building at 11am on Saturday, March 24, 2007.

As space is limited, anyone wishing to attend needs to pre-register by emailing Cware@bristolairport.com

Source: Avon and Somerset Constabulary

Comment from the Rossblog on Flybe taking over BA Connect and cancelling all flights from Bristol Airport:

It looks like our flights to Edinburgh in May have been cancelled due to FlyBe taking over BA Connect and cancelling all their flights from Bristol Airport. C*nts! Sorry about the language but we've got 12 people booked on the same flight. Every cloud though... EasyJet flights have plummeted since the last time we tried to book with them. And we should get a full refund. Bleedin' pain in the wotsit though ain't it?! How I didn't crack open a tinny I'll never know!!!

THE top boss at Bristol International Airport has tried to allay 'significant concerns' raised by councillors about its expansion plans.

Managing director Andrew Skipp says the airport's masterplan is 'well made' and any concerns can be ironed out when a full planning application is submitted.

The masterplan involves doubling the size of the existing terminal, building more than 8,000 car parking spaces and massively increasing the number of passengers at the site near Wrington.

At a full North Somerset Council meeting on February 20, councillors registered six 'significant concerns', which included traffic, parking, a lack of information about subsidised public transport services and the need to look at how the expansion will affect the environment and businesses in the area.

Mr Skipp said: "We have worked closely with the council throughout the masterplan to provide a level of information which it has agreed to. The masterplan carries no planning status and does not go into the level of detail that will be required within the final planning application.

"The additional detail the council has asked for will be addressed as part of the airport's planning application. The masterplan underlines the economic case for careful growth over the next decade.

"We remain confident that we have supplied suitably comprehensive information as is fitting for the plan, and that the case for our planned expansion to meet the obvious and growing demand from people to travel to and from our region, is well made."

However, Susan Pearson, a spokeswoman for the Stop Bristol Airport Expansion campaign, said: "North Somerset Council's strong message to BIA was very clear - that there are major concerns over aspects of the masterplan such as growth in road traffic, the impact on biodiversity, growth in noise and other pollution issues.

"Nearly 5,000 members of the public opposed the airport's plans in the public consultation held at the end of last year. Since BIA plans to double in size by 2030, and by 50 per cent by 2015, this development cannot be considered to be 'careful growth'. It is a major development that will have considerable impact on local communities.

"In calling for an independent assessment into the cost or benefit impact on local and regional businesses, it is clear that the council has not been satisfied of the economic case for expansion.

Source: The Weston Mercury

www.Parctel.com: The UK's leading airport parking and travel services provider, has expanded its already extensive portfolio of services by launching meet and greet parking at Newcastle Airport and Bristol International Airport, and an airport lounge facility at Norwich Airport.

The introduction of meet and greet at Newcastle Airport and Bristol International Airport will make it even more convenient for travellers flying out of the airport to drive and park. In addition, passengers flying from Norwich Airport now have the opportunity to start their holiday in comfort by relaxing in the airport lounge while waiting for their flights

A sample price for meet and greet including seven days parking is £54 at Newcastle Airport and £69 at Bristol International Airport. Airport lounge at Norwich airport is just £15 per person.

Click Here to Book

Cast your vote in the "Should the £80 million expansion of Bristol International Airport go ahead?" poll on the This is Bristol web site.

Concerns have again been raised about the safety of Bristol Airport's runway after a plane delayed landing in wet weather conditions on Monday evening.

Laurence Robertson MP said the pilot of the Easyjet flight from Belfast he was travelling on told passengers he had been advised it was unsafe to land.

He said the area had experienced a heavy downpour and the plane would circle until the runway had dried out.

Bristol Airport said cross-winds and rain caused the pilot to delay landing.

Mr Robertson, MP for Tewkesbury, said the cabin crew had already taken their seats before the plane began to ascend again.

"I thought as they were circling there was probably a queue to land at the airport, as there's nothing unusual about that," he said.

The problem has to be fixed... we can't have planes landing on a runway which might not be safe in all circumstances
Laurence Robertson MP

"But then the captain came on and said 'you've obviously heard about the difficulties they've had in Bristol. We've been advised it wouldn't be safe to land if it's too wet and as there's been a bit of a very heavy downpour, we can't land just yet as we have to wait for the runway to dry off.' "

Mr Roberston said the plane circled for about 20 minutes before it landed.

"I thought, why are they actually using this runway if they are admitting that on occasions it's not safe? Incredible.

"The problem has to be fixed. We can't have planes landing on a runway which might not be safe in all circumstances - it has to be safe. And it really does need sorting out - it obviously hasn't," he said.

In a statement Easyjet said: "Last night (Monday) easyJet flight EZY 452 from Belfast to Bristol, circled prior to landing for approximately five minutes due to high winds and rain at Bristol International Airport, this is standard operating procedure in adverse weather conditions and the aircraft landed normally.

"At no stage did the captain advise passengers the 'runway was unsafe'."

'Landed normally'

Paul Rankin, service delivery manager at the airport, said the airport keeps pilots informed of landing conditions so that they can take these factors into account when deciding whether to land.

He said the decision to land remains with the pilot at all times.

"In this instance steady cross-winds and rain resulted in the pilot's decision to go around in accordance with his standard operating procedure," he said.

"Normal operations continued, with other aircraft landing and departing during this period. The aircraft rejoined the landing order and following an improvement in conditions landed normally."

The runway was shut for 16 hours in January for additional grooving work to be carried out on its temporary surface after 10 airlines cancelled or diverted flights over claims aircraft were skidding when landing in wet conditions.

This work was undertaken even though the Civil Aviation Authority had confirmed throughout that it had no issues relating to the operation of the runway in either wet or dry conditions.

The airport had been carrying resurfacing work, part of a £17m project which is due for completion at the end of March.

A total of 385 flights and 25,000 passengers were affected by the dispute.

Source: BBC

BRISTOL International Airport today announced that passengers will soon be able to use a new on-site airport Meet and Greet service.

It will mean travelling drivers can park at the front of the airport, unload their luggage, hand over their car keys to their personal airport concierge and check in for flights.

Passengers who book the new service in advance will have their cars collected by a concierge and parked on-site in the airport's secured parking compound which is protected by CCTV and number plate recognition systems.

On their return journey, passengers call the concierge team and their car will be delivered to the rapid pick up car park, 100 metres from the terminal.

The service starts next month. Prices start from £45 for one to three days, rising to £69 for up to eight days.

Source: Wiltshire Times

Makes my little heart happy to see when people plan on booking things like Airport Parking early. As Ali Maggs writes on her blog:

I've got too much to do before I go. Work wise, things are mad (in a good way) - working on a Bristol community website for some bars/clubs in Bristol which is great, plus another couple of websites. Computer games wise, I'm working on some games for a tourist attraction in Birmingham at the moment and film editing wise I'm working on a short film called Billy which, hopefully, I can post here for you to see when it's all done.

In addition to that, I need to buy clothes (it is next to impossible to get Summer clothes right now), sort our airport parking, stock up on hair products, look at getting a better digital camera and pack.

All we can see is "Good on yer, girl!" CLICK HERE to book your parking at Bristol Airport NOW.

An essential guide for anyone visiting the north of the county has now been launched.

The 2007 North Wiltshire Visitor Guide was unveiled at the Atwell-Wilson Motor Museum in Calne.

The business is featured in the 20,000 copies of the guide that have been printed. They are available at Tourist Information Centres and Information Points throughout the area.

The guide is also distributed to Tourist Information Centres throughout the country, selected M4 and M5 Service Stations and Bristol airport.

Produced by North Wiltshire District Council, it contains useful information on a wide range of attractions, accommodation and events in the six towns of Calne, Chippenham, Corsham, Cricklade, Malmesbury and Wootton Bassett and surrounding countryside.

Source: This is Wiltshire