Destination choice 'a driver of regional growth'

The growing choice of destinations on offer to travellers is one of the major factors behind the success of regional airports, according to an industry spokesperson.

Tony Hallwood, aviation development director at Bristol Airport, said that the range of flight options now available to people living outside London means that these travellers do not have go through the hassle of travelling far to fly to their desired destination.

"Given the choice between a direct flight from their regional airport and a journey by road or rail to travel from an overcrowded and congested London airport, most travellers will take the local option, cutting down on the carbon emissions from unnecessary surface journeys in the process," he said.

"Low-cost airlines have certainly played a part in widening destination choice from regional airports."

While budget carriers have been an important part of the success of regional airports, Mr Hallwood claimed that Bristol is striving to continue to offer services that are of more interest to business travellers.

The hub hosts flights from major airlines such as Lufthansa, Air France, Continental and KLM, opening up hundreds of worldwide connections from south-west England.