Distribution premises in Bristol could be re-linked to New York

Central Park, the distribution premises to let in Bristol, could enjoy a reconnection with the USA as direct flights from Bristol International Airport to New York could return within two years – but businesses need to show there is demand first.

Flights from Bristol to Newark first started with Continental Airlines back in 2005, before the airport was dealt a major blow when the carrier announced it was pulling out of the West Country in autumn of 2010. Currently, the only way to fly from Bristol to New York is via connecting flights to the Dutch capital Amsterdam or Dublin in Ireland.

Now the airport’s chief executive Robert Sinclair, right, is working on re-securing a link between Bristol and New York, as well as to a major long-haul destination in the Middle East. Mr Sinclair said the move reflected returning good fortunes to his business, following a 10 per cent fall in passenger numbers in 2009.

He said: “We are working hard to re-secure the service from Bristol to New York and from there you will be able to travel to a multitude of North American connections. Hopefully within a year or two we will see a return of a direct service. I think that reflects that we have come full service in the business cycle. The economy is much stronger and the pound is much stronger against the US dollar, which is one of the issues we had before. Businesses are travelling and so we are very, very keen to secure long-haul routes. We are also in regular dialogue with the Middle Eastern carriers like Emirates, Etihad, Qatar and Turkish Airlines and I can see, in the fullness of the next two or three years, that we will hopefully have a connection to a Middle Eastern hub as well.”

Bristol Airport recorded its busiest ever May last month, with more than 608,000 passengers travelling through the terminal. This surpassed the previous record set back in 2008 and represented a 4.1 per cent increase on the same month last year. The airport wants the support of businesses in the West of England to help secure a direct flight to the USA once more.

Source: Bristol Post