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Bristol Airport runway to re-open Bristol Airport runway to re-open
(10 minutes later)
Bristol Airport managers hope flights will resume by 1000 GMT after tests on a runway at the centre of a safety row.Bristol Airport managers hope flights will resume by 1000 GMT after tests on a runway at the centre of a safety row.
Ten airlines had cancelled or diverted flights after claims that aircraft had skidded on landing in wet conditions on a refurbished runway.Ten airlines had cancelled or diverted flights after claims that aircraft had skidded on landing in wet conditions on a refurbished runway.
A total of 385 flights and 25,000 passengers have been affected since the dispute began on Friday.A total of 385 flights and 25,000 passengers have been affected since the dispute began on Friday.
A spokesman for the airport said the 1037 flight from New York could be the first to be allowed to land.A spokesman for the airport said the 1037 flight from New York could be the first to be allowed to land.
The runway was closed overnight for work on runway drainage systems so flights could resume on Monday. The runway was closed overnight for work on runway drainage systems so flights could resume.
No CAA objection Easyjet to reassess
In a statement, Bristol Airport said: "Detailed assessment has been made on Sunday morning on the impact of additional grooving on test strips of the temporary surface, which were put in place during the resurfacing work over the last two nights. "We've had an army of contractors out on the runway over the last 12 hours putting grooves in to increase friction," said Tony Hallwood, Aviation Development Director at Bristol International Airport.
"These have proved satisfactory in terms of further increasing the drainage of surface water on the temporary sections of the runway which is in the process of being resurfaced." "The runway was not unsafe, the CAA made it very clear that they were happy to continue operations and Bristol International has always said over the weekend that we'll never compromise passenger safety," he added.
Airport 'confident'
The airport added the CAA had confirmed it had no objection to the proposed additional grooving work to be undertaken.
A spokesman said: "We are confident that for those airlines which have suspended their operations at Bristol International Airport, this will address their concerns and allow them to resume operations at the airport."
Problems began on Friday after Easyjet raised concerns over the safety of the new £17m resurfaced runway.Problems began on Friday after Easyjet raised concerns over the safety of the new £17m resurfaced runway.
It withdrew services amid fears planes were skidding when landing in wet weather, affecting braking distances.It withdrew services amid fears planes were skidding when landing in wet weather, affecting braking distances.
When runways are re-surfaced airlines often impose their own restrictions on their landing and take-off procedures. On Monday a spokesperson for Easyjet said the firm would assess the situation later but for the time being 60% of its flights would continue to fly from Cardiff.
These allow for continuing safe operation at airports while sections of the runway are re-surfaced. Each airline may have different operating standards. "We had to go through the regulatory authorities to gain approval for these unique circumstances to re-groove this part of the runway but we now have a successful conclusion and we look forward to passengers returning to Bristol later this morning," said Mr Hallwood.
'Runway safe'
On Saturday, 98 flights from Easyjet, BA Connect, XL, Thomsonfly, Thomas Cook, Balkan Airlines, First Choice, Air Malta, KLM and SN Brussels were diverted and 28 were cancelled.
Around 7,000 extra passengers were diverted to Cardiff Airport on Saturday while other flights departed from Birmingham.
Astreus, Aer Arran, Ryanair, Air South West, Aurigny, Continental and Flybe carried on using the airport.
A spokeswoman for XL Airways said: "This is good news and we are looking forward to getting back into Bristol as soon as the modifications are made because we want people flying from their local airport."
Easyjet, which cancelled or diverted all its flights on Sunday, has cancelled 40% of Monday's flights at Bristol with the remainder diverted to use Cardiff.
Passengers are advised they must still check in at Bristol Airport where they will then be transferred to Cardiff as Easyjet do not have any check-in facilities at this airport.
Other passengers have been advised to contact their travel agent or airlines direct, or check the airport's website.