Bristol Airport bosses hope to reopen runway

LONDON, Jan 8 (Reuters) Bosses at Bristol International Airport are hoping to reopen the runway later today after safety checks which they hope will persuade concerned airlines to resume flights.

Bristol closed its runway yesterday to speed up resurfacing work to try to resolve a stand-off with 10 airlines worried about the condition of temporary sections of the runway.

It meant that all flights were being diverted or cancelled.

An airport spokesman said it was now hoped the runway would reopen later today morning.

''The runway could be open shortly after 10 a.m. if tests are satisfactory,'' the spokesman said.

''The signs are looking good.'' Hundreds of flights involving thousands of passengers have been affected since the airlines, including low-cost operator easyJet, raised concerns over braking in wet conditions on temporary sections of the runway.

The airport's bosses said the Civil Aviation Authority had confirmed additional grooving in the temporary section of the runway to allow better drainage meant it was safe to use in both wet and dry conditions.

''We are trying to get the runway to a position where airlines are happy to come back to Bristol,'' the spokesman said.

Bristol Airport expects to complete the 17 million pound five-month resurfacing of the runway in March.

''Safety is always our top priority,'' said the airport's managing director, Andrew Skipp. ''At all times, the CAA have confirmed that our runway is safe, and the process we have been following for the re-surfacing, which is still under way, is correct.'' Last year 5.6 million passengers used the airport.

REUTERS AB HT1440