Challenge
Bristol Airport sought to consult the public on its plans to expand to 15 million passengers per annum (mppa). Having only recently secured approval for growth to 12 mppa – amid strong opposition – the airport faced:
- a complex and sceptical stakeholder landscape
- mobilised local opposition and concern over environmental impacts
- low public awareness of the airport’s regional economic contribution and sustainability efforts
- a need to rebuild trust and communicate benefits clearly and credibly.
Approach
Copper devised a comprehensive strategy focused on clarity, inclusivity and impact, including:
- public benefit storytelling – creating a video series and digital content featuring local attractions, employees and sustainability partners, to highlight the airport’s role in jobs, tourism and decarbonisation
- stakeholder collaboration – convening a strategic stakeholder panel to co-create a regional social value strategy and demonstrate genuine commitment to community impact
- inclusive, high-impact consultation – designing and delivering a digitally enhanced consultation with strong visuals, multilingual materials, media outreach and promotion across local press, transport hubs and airport terminals to ensure wide engagement.
Value delivered
- Over 2000 consultation responses, with nearly half expressing support for growth
- Constructive engagement from 1000+ participants, demonstrating broad public interest beyond opposition voices
- Stronger stakeholder relationships and improved public understanding of the airport’s economic and environmental contributions
- Positioning of Bristol Airport as a proactive, values-driven partner, able to lead on regional growth and net zero ambitions despite a challenging political and public landscape