£60m Transport Hub Opens at Bristol Airport for Seamless Business Travel
A new £60 million Public Transport Interchange at Bristol Airport, officially opened this month, enhances connectivity for business travellers with more frequent and sustainable bus and coach services as part of the airport’s £400 million transformation programme.
This state-of-the-art facility is a game-changer for Global Travel Management’s UK-based business travellers, offering seamless access to 16 dedicated bus and coach bays - up from just five - ensuring more reliable and efficient onward travel to and from Bristol Airport. The interchange, located atop a new multi-storey car park, features modern amenities such as a sheltered bus canopy, live transport information screens, and a covered bridge link providing level access to the terminal forecourt.
These improvements cater specifically to the needs of business travellers who value time-efficient and sustainable travel options when navigating their busy schedules.The project, completed ahead of schedule and on budget, has significantly boosted the local economy by creating over 60 new jobs and supporting 120 jobs at its peak, with 30% of suppliers based within a 50-mile radius of the airport. Sustainability was a key focus, with 100,000 tonnes of stone and material reused on-site and 90% of wood and metal recycled.
The construction also saw the UK’s first trial of the Volvo EC230 electric excavator, aligning with Bristol Airport’s commitment to net-zero operations.
From 2026, the A1 and A3 Flyer bus services, which carried over 1.3 million passengers in 2024, will transition to fully electric vehicles, further reducing the carbon footprint of business travel.
Cllr Mike Bell, leader of North Somerset Council, said:
“We fully support Bristol Airport’s ambition to see more passengers and staff travelling by public transport, and the opening of the new Public Transport Interchange marks a major milestone in achieving that goal. As the West of England’s gateway to the world - and the world’s gateway to our vibrant region - Bristol Airport plays a vital role in connecting people and places. With the launch of the new Public Transport Interchange, travelling to and from the airport is now easier, more convenient, and more sustainable than ever.”
North Somerset MP Sadik Al-Hassan said:
“It was fantastic to be able to open this £60m new facility. It’s a big step forward for public transport capacity in North Somerset. The new facilities mean it’s now much better to travel by bus or coach to the Airport – encouraging people out of their cars. For the thousands of people that work here, I hope as many as possible take advantage of the free staff travel and this modern new facility.”
Helen Godwin, the new Mayor of the West of England, said:
“Bristol Airport’s welcome investment in public transport has tripled the number of bus and coach bays, creating one of the West’s largest transport interchanges. This is an important step forward, though we all know much more has to be done to connect public transport to the airport. Recent record transport funding from the government in the Spending Review for mass transit development could help us unlock further improvements. I’ll be working with the Airport and other partners on how we can make it easier to get around our region, ahead of a transport vision being published in the autumn.”
Dave Lees, Chief Executive of Bristol Airport, said:
“We’re delighted to open the Public Transport Interchange ahead of schedule and on budget transforming our customers’ experience during the busy summer holidays. The Public Transport Interchange has provided vital skills and employment for local people and apprentices, and sourced regional suppliers, helping to boost the local economy. And we’re delighted to announce that the A1 and A3 Flyer bus service will be completely electric from 2026. This is all part of our commitment to net zero operations, and by more than doubling the number of bus and coach bays this demonstrates we are committed to encouraging customers to use public transport where possible.”
Paul Baker, Sales Director of Global Travel Management, said:
“The new Public Transport Interchange at Bristol Airport offers our UK-based business travellers unparalleled convenience and sustainability, allowing them to connect effortlessly to their destinations while aligning with corporate environmental goals.”
The interchange also enhances the passenger experience with a simplified road layout, an enlarged Drop Off and Pick-up area, and modern facilities including a larger M&S with a bakery and fresh coffee. Accessibility is improved with dedicated parking for passengers with reduced mobility on level two and taxi services operating from level four.
Great Western Railway customers can now add an Airport Flyer ticket when booking train travel, streamlining multi-modal journeys for business travellers. With a record 1 million passengers using the A1 Flyer and 300,000 on the A3 Flyer in 2024, the 44% increase in daily movements underscores the growing demand for reliable public transport options.
For more information on how the new Public Transport Interchange can enhance your business travel experience, please contact your Global Travel Management Account Manager.