Bristol airport 'makes US accessible for south-west'

A spokesman for Bristol Airport has underlined the importance of the hub, saying that it has expanded travel options for people from the south-west, making destinations such as New York easily accessible.

Tony Hallwood, aviation development director at the airport, said that the addition of services from carriers such as Continental Airlines has had a significant effect on the status of the hub.

"Continental's daily service has made New York a convenient and affordable destination for business and leisure travellers across the south-west," he said.

"At the same time, an increasing number of US visitors are also enjoying easier access to this region's attractions, such as Bath, historic Bristol, the Cotswolds and Stonehenge."

Continental flights from Bristol Airport enable local travellers to connect via New York to 143 further destinations throughout the Americas, Mr Hallwood said.

The south-west hub, which is a two-hour drive away for around seven million people, offers direct flights to 118 destinations in 27 countries.