Bournemouth Airport

Description:

BOURNEMOUTH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

BRIEF HISTORY

Bournemouth airport began as RAF Hurn on 1 August 1941 during World War II. It was used for paratroop training and as a glider base before the North African Landings in 1943. Prior to D-Day it was the base for 570 Squadron. It was also the home base for 84 Group, RAF Second Tactical Airforce, comprising nine squadrons of Typhoons.

In November 1944 it took over from Bristol's Whitchurch airport as the main operating base for British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) until Heathrow fully opened in 1948.

1958 saw the first Palmair flight from the airport, using a single 36 seat Viking aircraft; destination Palma in Majorca, which was one of the first charter flights from the UK.

Vickers Armstrong took over some ex-BOAC hangers to build Varsities, Viscounts and eventually the BAC1-11, nearly all of which were built at the site. The 1980s saw the end of Bournemouth's role as a player in the aircraft construction industry.

In 1969 the airport was purchased by Bournemouth Corporation and Dorset County Council and renamed "Bournemouth Airport" and was developed from that point on, eventually becoming Bournemouth International Airport.

The airport is now owned by Manchester Airports Group, and in 2007 they announced a £32 million investment and redevelopment of the airport - more of which later.

GENERAL INFO

Let's start by pointing out straight away that on 25 November 2008, Bournemouth Airport was ranked best airport in the UK and third best in the world after Singapore Changi Airport and Hong Kong International Airport, by the Daily Telegraph Travel Awards. As of April 2009 Palmair, Thompson Airways and Ryanair remain the primary users of the airport. It connects 900,000 passengers to 60 destinations every year. On current projections, around 3 million passengers will be travelling through Bournemouth Airport every year by 2014/15. It is currently undergoing the redevelopment referred to below and things change from one visit to the next so be prepared for temporary structures, changing facilities or indeed loss of facilities, whilst this is taking place.

LOCATION

The airport is situated on the edge of Hurn village in the Borough of Christchurch, 4 miles north of Bournemouth, 1 mile west of the A338 (Wessex Way) and around 100 miles south west of London. It is accessible via the A31, M27 and M3 from the east and the A35 from the west (see location map).

EXPANSION PLANS

The expansion and development of the airport mainly focuses on creating new car parking spaces within two new separate car parks and the building of a new International Arrivals terminal. The budget was increased to £45 million in 2008 to imrove and expand both the check-in and departures lounge area. In addition the number of aircraft stands will increase from 4 to 12. Work started in August 2007 with the upgrade to the terminal scheduled for completion in spring 2010. When completed the airport terminal will have increased in size by over 60%.

The runway has already been resurfaced and a new Cat 111a ILS system installed to aid landing in bad weather. Also aerodrome ground lighting has been improved. The main apron has been expanded to accommodate the increased stands for aircraft of Boeing 737-200 size and the construction of a car park towards the southern boundary is underway.

Work on the terminal is in progress and improvements to the infrastructure around the airport include more frequent bus services as well as traffic lights at the entrance to the airport.

AIRLINES & DESTINATIONS

Scheduled Services

Easyjet - Geneva (seasonal)

Ryanair - Alicante, Arricefe (begins 26 October 2009), Carcassonne (seasonal), Dublin, Edinburgh, Faro, Girona, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (begins 28 October2009), Limoges, Malaga, Marseille (seasonal), Murcia, Palma de Mallorca (seasonal), Pisa (seasonal), Reus, Tenerife-South (begins 1 November 2009).

Thompson Airways - Antalya (begins 7 May 2009 - seasonal), Arricefe (seasonal), Bodrum (begins 6 May 2009 - seasonal), Corfu (begins 3 May 2009 - seasonal), Dalaman (seasonal),Faro (seasonal), Funchal (seasonal), Grenoble (seasonal), Heraklion (seasonal), Ibiza (seasonal), Las Palmas (seasonal), Malaga, Monstir (begins 2 May 2009 - seasonal), Palma de Mallorca (seasonal), Paphos (seasonal), Reus (seasonal), Rhodes (seasonal), Salzburg (seasonal), Sharm-el-Sheikh (begins 5 May 2009 - seasonal), Tenerife-South.

Charter Services

Most charter services are seasonal and include.

Air Malta - Malta

Austrian Airlines - Innsbruck

BH Air - Burgas (begins 10 September 20010)

BMI - Dalaman

Eurocrypria - Heraklion, Larnaca

Onur Air  - Bodrum, Dalaman

Palmair - Arrecife, Brescia, Corfu, Faro, Fuerteventura, Funchal, Mahon, Monastir, Naples, Palma de Mallorca, Ternerife-South, Verona

Thomson Airways - La Romania, Turin

Tyrolean Airways - Innsbruck


GETTING THEIR

Road

For SATNAV users the post code is BH23 6SE - Bournemouth International Airport.

From London/M3 corridor - Take M3 southbound towards Southampton. Where the M3 joins the M27 follow the westbound directions to Bournemouth.

From Midlands & North - Head for Oxford and join the A34 dual carriageway. Go as far south as Winchester then join the southbound M3 and follow the directions given above.

From Sussex/Kent coast - Take the A27 join the M27. At its western end the M27 becomes the A31 dual carriageway crossing the New Forest. Shortly after Ringwood exit left on the A338 dual carriageway and follow signs for Bournemouth. After 5 miles take the B3073 exit and follow signs to the airport.

From South West - The most direct route is to head for Wimborne using the A35. On reaching Wimborne join the A31  and then follow airport signs.

Train

The airport is conveniently located for local connections to the mainline network. Use Bournemouth station, located at the Travel Interchange. This is served by a regular hourly Shuttle Bus to the airport.

Bus

The Shuttle Bus operates 7 days a week, hourly from 7am to 7pm.

Taxi

Taxis at the airport are operated by United Taxis (01202- 556677). Approximate fares to popular destinations include:
Bournemouth town centre - £16
Poole town centre - £22
Christchurch railway station - £9
Southampton city centre - £50

A taxi stand is located just outside of the arrivals terminal. Turn left as you exit the building and you will usually find a line taxis waiting.

PARKING

Long Stay

There are two Long Stay car parks (1 & 2). The entrance to car park 1 is located just past the terminal building and spreads out from that point. The entrance to car park 2 is just beyond car park 1. Prices vary according to length of stay - the shorter the stay the greater the cost. For example 1-2 days costs £10.70 per day, whereas a 7 day stay is £7.42 per day and a 15 day stay equates to £6.24 per day. Motorcycles are charged at £3.25 per day.

Short Stay

The entrance is the same as Long Stay car park 1. Turn left once you have taken your ticket and passed through the barrier. The first 10 minutes are free (in our view 15 minutes free is more realistic), thereafter it is £2.00 for up to 30 minutes, rising to £13.90 for a full 24 hours.

Card payments attract a £1.50 fee. To book by phone use 0871-3105556 between 7am-10pm (calls charged at 10p per minute BT rate). Pay the car park fee, using the machines located by the arrivals exit. Prices correct as at 20th January 2009.

CAR RENTAL

Two car hire companies - Hertz and National Alamo - operate from offices beside car park 2.

Hertz - 0870-846004 (call charges not known)

National Alamo - 01202-577194

FOOD & DRINK

Café Ritazza - One is located before security and another after security - serving a selection of coffee and food.

The Bar - Located after security - The Bar de Voyaguers offers a complete array of wines, beers and spirits.

The Food Village - Located after security offers a wide selection of hot and cold food and drinks.

SHOPPING

Alpha Airport Shopping - Located after secuity of course. Stocks a large selection of Tax Free goods.

WH Smith - Located after security. Offers the usual magazines, newspapers, books, sweets etc.

FOR THE DISABLED

It is advisable, regardless of your booking method, to discuss any special requirements  when you make your travel arrangements. Your details will be passed to the airports disability service provider, G4S. General enquiries can be made to their Helpdesk on 07525-736253.

There are disabled drop-off spaces located in car park 1 regardless of length of stay. Normal charges apply. If you require wheelchair assistance or help with luggage from the disabled parking spaces contact G4S staff using the help point located in car park 1. Wheelchairs, subject to availability, can be borrowed free of charge whilst at the airport by contacting G4S using any of the help points at the airport. G4S also has a range of equipment to assist disabled passengers to board the aircraft. Passenger assistance is located adjacent to the Information Desk in the Departure Lounge and in the International and Domestic Arrivals Halls.

There are fully equiped disabled toilet facilities in all areas of the terminal building. Telephones are available in the terminal. Lowered units are found in the airside restaurant area.

Assistance dogs are allowed into the terminal and may travel on the aircraft providing they comply with the Pets Travel Scheme (PETS). For advice on flying with your assistance dog contact: www.guidedogs.org.uk or www.hearingdogs.org.uk

CUSTOMS/TAX FREE

Everyone flying into Bournemouth Airport from outside the UK needs to pass through Customs and Immigration.

Go through the green channel if you have nothing to declare (only if you are sure you have no more than the Customs allowances and no prohibited or restricted goods).

Go through the red channel or report to the red point (if you have something to declare in excess of the Customs allowances).

To check allowances please visit the Department of the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) website. For Immigration Enquiries telephone: 0870 606 7766 (call charges not known) or for Customs Enquiries visit their website www.hmrc.gov.uk

SECURITY PROCEDURES

Before you travel to the airport make sure you have a valid passport (and visa where necessary), remember many authorities require a passport that is valid for a least six months from the time you fly. If you need advice visit the UK Passport website.
 
Even on domestic flights, airlines now require to see appropriate photo identity (check with your airline which type is acceptable).

Please ensure that you read the latest regulations about what you can and cannot take on the aircraft or download this handy Traveller Checklist. Check  luggage allowances with your airline.

Essential medicines must be checked through security and contained in a clear re-sealable bag. Liquids and baby food of small quantities no greater than 100ml/100g can be taken through security provided they are in a single, clear, re-sealable plastic bag. Liquids include water and other drinks, soups and syrups, creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, sprays, gels, the contents of pressurised containers (inc.shaving foams and deodorants), pastes (inc.toothpaste), liquid solid mixtures, mascara and any other item of a similar consistency.