Bristol Airport has defended its expansion plans, describing its role as “critical” to the regional economy, amid warnings from MPs that airport growth could jeopardize the UK’s net zero climate ambitions.
A recent report by the House of Commons’ Environmental Audit Committee cautions that expanding airports across the UK will make it significantly harder—and more costly—for the government to meet its climate targets. The committee emphasized that the economic advantages of such expansions have not been proven to outweigh the environmental damage they cause.
While the report does not single out Bristol Airport, local campaigners see it as highly relevant. Mary Collet of the Bristol Airport Action Network (BAAN), an anti-expansion group, highlighted the report’s importance. In 2023, BAAN lost a High Court challenge to halt Bristol Airport’s growth to 12 million passengers annually. Now, the airport is preparing to apply for permission to increase capacity further to 15 million passengers.
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Collet remarked, “It’s quite ironic that the committee’s first recommendation is for the government to actually assess whether airport expansion truly generates economic growth. Previously, Bristol Airport’s expansion was permitted largely because officials believed economic gains would outweigh environmental costs. But BAAN has long argued that past expansions have not delivered meaningful economic benefits.”
The group accuses Bristol Airport of overestimating job creation and economic impact while ignoring the local downsides—such as increased air pollution, noise, and traffic congestion. According to a recent BAAN survey, 84% of nearby residents reported seeing no economic benefit from living near the airport.
In response, Bristol Airport refuted claims of inflated job numbers. It pointed out that its earlier expansion application forecasted 800 new jobs, a target it says it has already surpassed despite not yet reaching 12 million passengers annually. A spokesperson stated, “We employ over 5,800 people on-site, more than double the workforce from 20 years ago, growing faster than expected. The airport is vital for the regional economy, enabling international connections and driving tourism.”
The airport’s spokesperson added that further expansion would bring 1,000 additional jobs, new direct routes to the Middle East and North America, and £1 billion more to the local economy. They also highlighted ongoing investments aimed at achieving net zero operations by 2030—referring to airport facilities and vehicles, though not the aircraft themselves.
Bristol Airport is partnering with aerospace firms to advance zero-emissions flight technology, underscoring its role in fostering sustainable aviation innovation.
The decision on the latest expansion plan lies with North Somerset Council. Although councillors initially refused permission for growth to 12 million passengers per year, this was overturned after a comprehensive planning inquiry in 2021.
Toby Perkins, chair of the Environmental Audit Committee, acknowledged aviation’s importance to the UK economy but underscored the sector’s decarbonization challenges. “Expanding airport capacity risks making it much harder to meet our climate targets,” he said. Perkins called on the government to provide clear evidence on the economic returns of expansion plans, stressing the need for decisive leadership to avoid a damaging “lose-lose scenario” for both the economy and the environment.
Bristol Airport plans to submit detailed economic assessments as part of its forthcoming application to increase passenger numbers to 15 million per year, continuing the contentious debate over growth versus sustainability in UK aviation.