Bristol Airport Pushes Ahead with £400m Expansion as Retail and Expanded Passenger Facilities Take Priority

(NEWS) BRISTOL, 2025-Dec-1 — /Travel PR News/ — Bristol Airport has begun the next phase of a long-term £400 million redevelopment programme, with construction now starting on a remodelled departure lounge that will include almost twice as many shops and restaurants as the current terminal. According to their press annoucement, the airport is allocating more than £60m to this stage of work, adding 17 new retail and dining units, along with extra seating and expanded accessible facilities.

The programme, which will run over the next three years, forms part of a broader transformation strategy intended to increase capacity and modernise the terminal. Recent investments include £11.5m in next-generation security equipment, removing the requirement for passengers to separate liquids and electronics at screening, and a major overhaul of ground-side access, culminating in the opening of a new public transport interchange. The facility now accommodates 16 bus and coach bays — double the previous number — alongside a redesigned pick-up area and expanded multi-storey parking.

Inside the terminal, plans include enlarging the assisted travel lounge, adding a dedicated baby-feeding room and increasing the number of washrooms. Airport accessibility groups have been involved in the redesign, including work on a Changing Places facility equipped for adult use. Arrivals will also see changes, with a new domestic baggage reclaim zone and a 20% increase in carousel capacity.

The terminal project builds on a series of upgrades already completed across the airport over the past year. A larger M&S Food store opened in July 2025 within the new transport interchange, followed by an expanded Escape Lounge in August offering additional seating, dedicated dining areas and views across the airfield. The departure lounge has also seen new additions to its food and beverage line-up, including Alembic, a tapas restaurant launched in July that highlights local suppliers, while an additional Burger King began operating before security in August. Airport officials say these changes form part of a five-year programme to modernise facilities and broaden the range of retail and catering options available to passengers as the wider terminal transformation continues.

Retail is set to become a central part of the redevelopment. The airport confirmed that new premium brands, additional food venues and a hidden speakeasy bar are part of the design, reflecting a shift in airport commercial strategy. Temporary closures have already begun as units relocate to accommodate building work, with Soul and Grain and Tortilla expected to reopen in mid-December.

Construction will be visible to passengers and some disruption is expected, though the airport says noise will be minimised where possible. New retail and dining options are scheduled to appear from spring 2027, with full completion targeted for early 2029.

When announcing the project, the airport said the aim is to create a more spacious and modern environment. However, the scale of investment also marks a significant move to increase both terminal capacity and the commercial footprint of one of the region’s most heavily used travel hubs.