Bristol Airport’s major changes to reach net zero as EasyJet upgrades aircaft

Right now, councillors in North Somerset, Bristol Airport’s local authority, are reading an ambitious expansion plan.

Airport chiefs wants to add another 15,000 flights a year, raising their cap to 100,000.

This means a bigger terminal building, and controversial new landing lights on ancient common land next to the airport.

Many of the new flights are on EasyJet planes, and the airline has invested in new aircraft which it says cuts fuel use, and so carbon emissions.

The Airbus NEO jets, with wings designed nearby in Filton and built in the UK, have cut fuel consumption by 20%.

Kevin Doyle, EasyJet’s UK manager, said: “Our roadmap is by 2050 to get to net zero, and this aircraft very much helps us on that path.

“Within Bristol we’ve actually got 13 of the 20 aircraft that are here from that next generation,” he said.