Runway reopens after repairs

Bristol Airport has re-opened after closing at the weekend when airlines claimed planes were skidding on the runway.

Ten carriers boycotted the airport, claiming the surface was slippery in wet conditions on Friday.

Engineers worked through Sunday evening and yesterday morning to cut grooves into the runway to improve drainage.

Management said last night that 34 flights had flown in and out of the airport yesterday - just one in six of the number scheduled.

Eight airlines were using the airport again yesterday.

EasyJet, the biggest airline flying from Bristol, will resume a normal service from today. Air Malta has diverted its one flight to Cardiff.

The closure meant 385 flights were cancelled or moved, affecting around 25,000 travellers. The airport normally serves 170 flights carrying 9,000 passengers a day.

Problems began after the airport announced a £17 million runway re-surfacing plans last October, with work scheduled to take five months.

Management were counting the cost of the cancellations and delays.