Breaking news this afternoon surrounds Coventry Airport and its apparent closure with immediate effect.
The airport, in the West Midlands of the UK, has been struggling for a number of months, and has been without passenger services since 2008 when ThomsonFly closed their base. The airport has a well-known reputation for cargo movements, as well as healthy biz jet and light aircraft movements. It is also the base for Air Atlantique and Atlantic Airlines.
What the future holds for the aircraft currently based at the airport is unknown. It has been anticipated that Air Atlantique would move its operations to Kemble in Gloucestershire recently, so this may transpire soon. At the moment, no aircraft are flying apart from the local air ambulance.
It is believed the owners of the airport have now run out of money. What the future holds for the site is unclear.
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I hope that any new owners don’t turn it into a housing estate or industrial estate. This is sadly what happens to many unwanted airfields now
The freehold of the airport is owned by Coventry City Council who provided a lease to West Midlands International Airport Ltd that were operating the airport and it is this company that has gone into Liquidation.
The council have confirmed that (all being well) they wish to see the airport operating as a going concern. An announcement was expected last week (by 18/1) that a new owner/operator had been found, albeit at a lower level of commercial airfield operators licence. This seems to have stalled at the last moment but (fingers crossed) a quick resolution will be found.
It is complicated that as CCC own the airfield it actally sits within Warwick District Council for planning permission purposes and the 2 councils don’t always see eye to eye.
Good news – the local council have confirmed very detailed talks with Airport Development Partners SA (Swiss) are at an advanced stage – looking positive for the future for freight, maintenance, biz jets and private flying.