Following concerns of some airlines operating at Bristol International regarding the surface of the temporary sections of the runway during the on-going re-surfacing programme during wet conditions, the airport has been…
Following concerns of some airlines operating at Bristol International regarding the surface of the temporary sections of the runway during the on-going re-surfacing programme during wet conditions, the airport has been consulting closely with the Civil Aviation Authority, its airlines and its contractors on a way forward.
At all times the CAA has confirmed that appropriate operational measures are in place to assure that the runway is safe for operations in wet and dry conditions. But ten airlines are still boycotting the airport and diverting or cancelling their flights.
Detailed assessments have been made on the impact of additional grooving on test strips of the temporary surface, which were put in place during the resurfacing work over the last three nights. These have proved satisfactory in terms of further increasing the drainage of surface water on the temporary sections of the runway which is in the process of being resurfaced.
The CAA has confirmed they have no objection to the proposed additional grooving work to be undertaken on the temporary sections of the runway.
Airport bosses made the decision to close the runway after a third day of disruption. So far 385 flights have been cancelled or switched, affecting around 25,000 people.
Bristol International Airport Managing Director, Andrew Skipp said: Safety is always our top priority. At all times the CAA have confirmed that our runway is safe, and the process we have been following for the re-surfacing, which is still underway, is correct. As we have done throughout the resurfacing programme we will continue to liaise fully with our airlines partners and provide them with all the information they need to operate from the airport.
I can only apologise to travellers for the disruption this is causing to their journeys, and reassure them that we are working hard to rectify the situation as quickly as possible, concluded Skipp.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
