Airport News

Bristol Airport has appointed a group of 13 contractors to carry out work on its £150 million expansion project in an attempt to avoid delays to the work, BBC News has reported.

Any of the companies can be asked to carry out selected jobs on the 30 difference project which form part of the expansion plans, with work on an on-site hotel expected to begin soon. Three aircraft parking stands have already been completed.

According to an airport spokesman, the ‘framework’ of contractors will help to avoid potentially costly and time-consuming EU procurement rules, a move which he said was common for organisations like the airport and meant they did not have to enter the full EU process every time.

“We achieved full planning permission in October 2011, once the threat of judicial review was finally thrown out, and we didn't drag our heels," the spokesman told BBC News. "We started work on the first phase of the development the following month."

He said the contractors could be used over the next four years.

One of the next projects will be the "central walkway" to help alleviate some of the queuing at busy times in the departure lounge, and provide undercover access to the aircraft, according to BBC News.