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• 1920 - 1956 The original airfield, at Whitchurch, which had the distinction of being the only civil airport in operation during the war, was viewed as being unsuitable for development after the war, and with a limited future, it was finally de-requisitioned in 1956
• 1955 Bristol wins its ten-year battle for a new City airport. Lulsgate Bottom Airfield, which had been in use as a R.A.F airfield for 10 years is purchased for £55,000 by the Bristol Corporation. It is announced that Bristol's new aerodrome will officially be known as "Bristol (Lulsgate) Airport". Bristol Airport Committee meets at the aerodrome to visualise the future Bristol Airport.
• 1957 The Duchess of Kent, whose late husband - killed during the war - had previously opened Whitchurch Airport, duly opened the new airport. The first year of operation at the new airport proved to be successful with a throughput of 33,000 passengers and 608,000 kilos of freight.
• 1963 The runway was lengthened.
• 1965 Extensions were made to the terminal building.
• 1968 A new 5,000 square foot transit shed was constructed and many freight agents were beginning to establish their operations at the airport.
• 1980 With the increase in the Inclusive Tour charter market Bristol's financial standing gradually improved and now had seventeen tour operators offering flights from the West Country.
• 1984 The Airport Authority added a new International Departure Lounge with Duty Free Shop and 24 hour airside bar, an Arrivals Concourse to facilitate a new passenger flow system in addition to completely refurbishing the Departure Concourse. Refurbishment included new check-in desks and scales, conveyorised baggage system, new tour operators' desks and a flight Information System. Facilities for the disabled were provided in the form of car parking spaces in the car parks, additional wheelchairs, landside and airside toilets, vending machines on the ground floor and low-level telephone. Externally, a short-term car park was provided and considerable extensions were made to the long-term car parks.
• 1985 A development budget of £13.5million provided an extended aircraft-parking apron, new fire station, extended Departure Lounge and improved airfield drainage.
• 1987 The operation and net assets of Bristol Airport were transferred from the City of Bristol to Bristol Airport plc and the Company commenced trading. New arrival area lounges and baggage handling facilities were opened together with an extension to the restaurant on the first floor. In May 1987 the Brunel Lounge was opened which offered frequent traveller facilities.
• 1988 Bristol Airport's rapid expansion continues with 100,000 scheduled service passengers passing through the airport for the first time. In July this year HRH the Princess Royal opened the newly refurbished and extended check-in concourse. August broke all records with a throughput of 103,401 passengers compared with 98,034 for the same month in the previous year.
• 1989 Record passenger figures continue to dominate the news with a January throughput of 34,345, which was a 31 per cent increase. Further development to the terminal building continues, with the addition of a children's play area in the International Departure Lounge, extensive refurbishment to the main bar area, enclosing the attached viewing balcony to develop extra seating area. During November and March a £4.3 million project to resurface the main runway and taxiways took place.
• 1991 Freight traffic increased with scheduled services booming and the Post Office illustrated its commitment by opening up a new sorting office at the airport.
• 1992 The recession continues which saw major setbacks resulting in the demise of Airlines, tour Operators and Travel Agents.
• 1992 / 1993 A £5m (34%) increase in turnover together with a £1.95m (211%) increase in profit before tax and a million passenger throughput for the first time was the most outstanding result ever achieved by Bristol Airport.
• 1993 / 1994 The success scenario continues with increased passenger throughput, increased profits and increased employment.
• 1994 / 1995 The Airport's freight facility, was relocated to a site in Avonmouth. The new facility situated close to the M4 / M5 interchange was suitably located to take advantage of the increasing amount of freight travelling to the South West from Heathrow by road.
• 1995 / 1996 This year saw the tragic death of one of aviation's major characters - Managing Director Les Wilson OBE, a sad loss not only to Bristol but the Industry as a whole. Growth on Bristol's scheduled services continued above expectation.
• 1996 / 1997 Bristol Airport was put up for sale by Bristol City Council. The way in which the council could obtain funding meant that the airport could not start building its much needed new terminal. With passenger figures reaching 1.4 million the terminal building had already started to exceed it's capacity.
• 1997 / 1998 In an effort to change the old out of date image the airport was beginning to get the name was changed. March 97 saw the re-launch of Bristol Airport to Bristol International. This move re-instated the airport's plans for growth. December 97 the airport was sold. 51% was owned by FirstGroup, the remaining 49% still belonged to Bristol City Council.
• 1998 / 1999 This year saw massive changes at Bristol Airport; the old terminal was refurbished and modernised to make it see out the next few years. FirstGroup invested £32 million in the development of Bristol International and the autumn saw the start of the long awaited new £27 million terminal building that was designed to carry 3.5 million passengers.
• 1999 / 2000 The new terminal building was well under way with the roof being completed in April and all was on schedule for opening in March 2000. Passenger figures reached 2 million.
• 2000 March 3rd 2000 the New Terminal was opened by HRH the Princess Royal and flights started leaving the new building on the 7th. The old terminal building closed to the public and was converted to offices for many of the staff. The success story is set to continue.

 

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