Bristol Airport officially opened its first multi-storey car park this week.
The project cost £9.5million and construction work began in November 2017.
North Somerset Council leader Nigel Ashton unveiled a plaque on Monday to mark the development’s completion, which opened to the public in May.
The new airport car park has more than 1,100 spaces across three levels and is situated within a short walking distance of the terminal, with two additional floors providing an extra 750 spaces to be added in winter.
Goldbeck Construction built the facility, which features enhanced parking bay technology, helping drivers to easily locate empty spaces.
The development follows recent improvements elsewhere across the site in the past year, including a £2.5million customer reception centre in the silver zone car park and a £2.3million upgrade to the immigration hall.
Work on a second multi-storey car park, featuring a public transport interchange on the top level, will commence next year and is expected to open in 2021, adding nearly 2,000 more spaces.
Plans for a third multi-storey car park will be included in a forthcoming planning application, with the airport’s expansion scheme seeking to increase its annual passenger numbers to about 12 million per year.
MORE: Airport plans to increase size of terminal and to double passenger numbers.
Andrew Goodenough, development director at Bristol Airport, said: “Not only does this deliver more high quality facilities for our passengers, it also demonstrates our continued commitment to delivering the comprehensive development plans approved by North Somerset Council in 2011.”
Cllr Ashton added: “I am delighted the airport has yet again shown its commitment to the South West region and North Somerset in particular.
“Employment and tourism will prosper across the area due to partnership working and the continuous success of our airport, its management and staff.”
Last month the airport was named the best in Europe in the five to 10 million passengers category.
A consultation on its master plan runs until Friday as the airport prepares to meet demand for air travel to and from the South West into the 2040s.
For more information, visit www.bristolairport.co.uk/future
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