Bristol Airport launches consultation on runway approach lighting

Bristol Airport is consulting on a proposal to modify its runway approach lighting, as part of planned runway improvements, to meet future demand for travel to and from our region.

Earlier this year the Airport published its Master Plan to 2040 detailing the long-term vision to provide more connections and serve new destinations, including a limited number of new longer-haul flights, connecting the region directly with destinations such as the east coast of America and the Middle East, and providing important new markets for inbound tourism and connecting businesses with these markets. 

The future development is forecast to boost the regional economy by providing a total of £3bn in GVA and creating 1,000 new jobs at the Airport, with employment focused on local areas including Weston-super-Mare and South Bristol. Over 4,000 people employed at the Airport are local residents.

Since publishing the Master Plan the Airport has continued to refine its design to ensure it meets all relevant safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Authority, the UK’s independent regulator for aviation.

In order for the runway to continue operating safely, for all types of aircraft and in all weather conditions, the Airport would need to relocate the existing approach lighting and install additional safety features at the eastern end of the runway. This is required in order to facilitate the new routes to America and the Middle East – key destinations that people in the region are keen to visit using their local airport.

The proposal would involve moving runway approach lighting and installing rows of lighting, and fencing around those lights, on parcels of land on Felton Common. People will still be able to continue to use all of the bridleways on the Common and care has been taken to maintain access across the Common.  

As the enclosed lighting would result in some loss of accessible open space and affect grazing rights, replacement land, accessible to all, would be provided adjacent to the Common.

Later this week, Bristol Airport will be writing to nearby residents and those with grazing rights ahead of seeking views on the proposals. The Airport is holding a six-week consultation starting on Friday 7 November until Friday 19 December. Information will be published on the Airport’s website later this week.

A Bristol Airport spokesman said: “While only small areas of the Common would be required for the lighting, we realise how important the open space is to local people, and so we are consulting with those with rights on the Common, users of the Common and local residents.

“We would encourage people to find out more about our proposal and provide any feedback they might have to help shape our plans.”

Views and feedback from both the Master Plan and runway approach lighting consultation will be used to inform detailed proposals to be submitted for planning permission in early 2026. The planning application would include all of the necessary infrastructure to enable Bristol Airport to serve 15 million passengers by the late 2030s and include assessment of environmental and other impacts. 

There are currently around 10.5 million passengers a year who use the Airport with permission already secured to grow to serve 12 million passengers a year.