Wednesday 30th April 2014

Tim Jeans is appointed as new Chairman of Cornwall Airport Limited

Tim Jeans, one of the leading figures in the airline industry, has been appointed as the new Chairman of Cornwall Airport Limited, the company which manages Newquay Cornwall Airport on behalf of Cornwall Council. 

Cornwall Airport Limited (CAL), a private limited company which is wholly owned by the Council, is responsible for all airport operations including CAA licensing, customer services, commercial development, route development and marketing. 

Tim Jeans has over 20 years experience in the industry having held executive management positions with some of the UK’s leading airlines, including Ryanair, MyTravel & Monarch Airlines.

Announcing the appointment Cornwall Council’s Chief Executive Andrew Kerr said “Tim's understanding of the industry and the significant role he has played in the development of Ryanair in the 2000s, including the introduction of Ryanair services to Cornwall, means he is extremely well placed to take Newquay Cornwall Airport on to the next stage of its development.”

"I'm delighted to be taking up this appointment at a pivotal time for aviation in Cornwall” said Tim Jeans.  “Recent events have underscored the need for an airport to facilitate links between the region and the rest of the UK and Europe. The airport is fortunate to enjoy the support of both Regional and National Government and I look forward to helping to realise the potential that undoubtedly exists for the airport to grow and develop to the benefit of the Cornish economy “ .

Friday 20th June 2014

Minister commends Newquay Aerohub as one of the UK's most successful enterprise Zones

Local Growth Minister Kris Hopkins has made an official ministerial visit to Aerohub at Newquay Cornwall Airport, the successful aviation/aerospace Enterprise Zone, located on the state of the art civilian airport.

The Minister was introduced to representatives of a number of the leading companies that have located at Aerohub including Andrew Sangster, Managing Director of CIS UK Ltd, and Kevin Glenister, Site Manager for Apple Aviation.

The Minister officially opened CIS’ new facility at Aerohub and discussed the company’s ambitious growth plans. He also met with Apple Aviation and was introduced to a number of apprentices drawn from their innovative training programme.

Apple Aviation’s recently opened facility comprises a 25,000 square foot hanger for aircraft maintenance, repair, overhaul and recycling.  The Minister watched Apple’s team prepare for the recycling of the first aircraft on their tear down facility. 

The Minister also took the opportunity to discuss the future development of Aerohub with Chris Pomfret, Chairman of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership, Al Titterington, Managing Director of Cornwall Airport Limited, and Miles Carden, Enterprise Zone Manager at Cornwall Development Company.

Kris Hopkins, Local Growth Minister, commented: “Aerohub is one of 24 enterprise zones across England helping to create an economy driven by private sector growth.  They are a key part of the Government’s long-term economic plan which aims to drive local and national growth.  Since they started, enterprise zones have created over 9,000 jobs, attracted over 300 businesses and secured £1.2 billion of private sector investment.

“Aerohub, is an excellent example how this is happening in Cornwall, building on the local strengths to develop into a catalyst for the wider local economy. It is fantastic to see businesses choosing Newquay as their British base and winning new business in decommissioning aircraft. ”

Monday 16th June 2014

Passenger growth continues at Newquay Cornwall Airport

Newquay Cornwall Airport has seen a 28% growth in passenger numbers since the turn of the year compared to the same period in 2013. Passenger numbers have increased from over 61,500 in Jan - May 2013 to 78,700 in 2014.

Whilst the storms in the early part of 2014 left most of the South West battered and damaged which affected Cornwall’s transport network, Newquay Cornwall Airport maintained its year around services to London, Manchester and the Isles of Scilly. The resilience of the Airport facilitated quick and convenient travel in and out of Cornwall.

The growth in passengers has continued into the spring with April and May 2014 showing 25% and 15% growth respectively compared to the previous year.  London Gatwick, Manchester and the new Birmingham and London Southend services are particularly strong.

Commenting, Managing Director Al Titterington said “the growth in passengers is really positive and reflects the upturn in the economy and all routes are performing well. The Airport is a key part of Cornwall & Isles of Scilly transport infrastructure and the connections available for air travel are growing and we hopeful to announce new routes for 2015 in the coming months, which will see this passenger growth trend continue”.

Monday 7th July 2014

Newquay Cornwall Airport sees continued growth in passenger numbers

Newquay Cornwall Airport continues to see improved growth in passenger numbers in the first half of 2014, compared with the same period in 2013.

Between January – June passenger numbers increased from 81,500 in 2013 to nearly 100,000 in 2014, a 23% rise.

June’s performance continued to be strong with passenger numbers up 13% vs June 2013.

easyJet services (Thursday & Sunday) to Liverpool started last week which means the full summer schedule is in operation and forward bookings are looking good, this upward trend versus last year is expected to continue.

Adam Paynter, Cornwall Council Member for Partnerships commented ““It is great to see passenger numbers being sustained after the Dawlish rail line collapse when the airport was vital to keeping Cornwall moving. The increased number of destinations over the summer is great news for Cornish residents flying out and also bringing in passengers to spend their money in the Cornish economy.”

Thursday 17th July 2014

Cornwall identified as possible location for UK’s first spaceport

Newquay Cornwall Airport has been identified as a possible location for the UK’s first spaceport for commercial space flight.

A cross-government team, including the UK Space Agency, Civil Aviation Authority and Department for Transport, has published a long list of eight sites that it has identified as potentially suitable for a spaceport.

The Government is committed to achieving a four-fold expansion of the UK space industry to £40bn by 2030, including an ambition to establish a spaceport in the UK by 2018.

A spaceport is a facility for the operation of sub-orbital spaceplanes. These are commercial civilian aircraft that may operate to deploy satellites, perform space experiments, or for space tourism.

Newquay Cornwall Airport is the only site in England identified by the review as matching the proposed criteria for a spaceport. Other sites have been identified in Wales and Scotland.

The Department for Transport will now start a consultation period before inviting formal bids in the autumn, with a view to choosing a preferred site by April next year.

Newquay Cornwall Airport is already home to Aerohub, the aerospace-focused Enterprise Zone which extends to 325 hectares and is the largest planning-free development site in the UK. It is located on the coast with uncongested and unrestricted airspace and one of the longest runways (2,744m) in the UK – all crucial criteria for a spaceport.

As well as being home to an increasing number of aerospace-focused businesses on the site, Aerohub is also the UK test location for The BLOODHOUND Project, the UK-led global project to build a supersonic jet-powered car that aims to set a 1,000mph land speed record.

And it is at the forefront of developments in the unmanned aerial vehicles sector through a partnership with West Wales Airport under the banner of the National Aeronautical Centre.

Commenting on today’s announcement by the Minister for Universities and Science, which was made at the Farnborough International Airshow, Chris Pomfret, chairman of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “The Aerohub at Newquay Cornwall Airport is a unique and nationally important asset and we want to unlock further growth in the aerospace and space sectors to create skilled well-paid jobs. Satellite technology is also an important part of the future economic strategy for Cornwall.

“To be shortlisted by the UK Space Agency review speaks volumes for the quality and location of Aerohub, but it is very early days. Before we make any decisions about whether we might eventually bid to host a spaceport we need to look carefully at the Civil Aviation Authority’s technical report and engage with the consultation over the coming months before deciding on any next steps.”

Monday 28th July 2014

Will Ashworth is appointed as a Non Executive Director of Cornwall Airport Limited

 Will Ashworth, Managing Director of Watergate Bay Hotel has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Cornwall Airport Limited, the company which manages Newquay Cornwall Airport on behalf of Cornwall Council as a Non Executive Director. Will has extensive global experience in the hospitality industry and in 2000 returned to Cornwall to take over the running of the family hotel at Watergate Bay.  Will is also a co-founder of Fifteen Cornwall, the Jamie Oliver inspired restaurant, and is passionate about supporting tourism in Cornwall and takes an active role in promoting the sector. Commenting on his appointment Will said “I’m delighted to be joining Cornwall Airport Ltd as I believe it is a vital part of the Cornish economy. It positively influences Cornwall’s visitor revenue and is an important component in attracting inward investment. The increasing passenger numbers as well as businesses locating to the Aerohub, the UK’s only aerospace focused Enterprise Zone, gives me the confidence that the airport will go from strength to strength. I look forward to supporting the executive team.” Tim Jeans, Chairman of Cornwall Airport Limited commented “"I'm delighted that Will has agreed to join the Airport Board. Inbound tourism is central to the future development and growth of the airport and to have his skills and knowledge to call on as we plan and deliver our strategy, will be invaluable in the years ahead".

Friday 22nd August 2014

July passenger numbers continue to increase at Newquay Cornwall Airport

Passenger numbers continued to grow in July with over 30,000 people travelling through the airport, resulting in an increase of 24% compared with July 2013.

This positive trend is also reflected in the year to date figures which show Jan – July 2014 passenger numbers were up 32% versus the same period in 2013.

Al Titterington Managing Director, Newquay Cornwall Airport said “I’m really pleased to see all of our services performing well and in particular our new daily Birmingham service operated by flybe which has already carried over 9,000 passengers since the route commenced in May”. Underling the importance of the Birmingham route for leisure and business people alike Mark Peters, MD of Pirate FM commented “I'm not at all surprised this continues to be successful, it’s a fantastic service.  I have used the Birmingham and London routes on a weekly basis since March and have saved countless days’ worth of travelling time. This provides a huge business benefit but is even more poignant when travelling back to see the family”.

The connectivity from flybe micro HUBs like Birmingham and Manchester allows passengers to benefit not only from direct access to the Midlands and the North (in under 90 minutes) but also for onward travel through their extensive route network. Titterington commented further stating “These 2 destinations, along with the availability of daily return flights to London Gatwick, offer passengers the opportunity to fly onward to hundreds of destinations worldwide through flybe’s code share and interline partner agreements, offering convenient global connections to the people of Cornwall”.

Friday, 5 September, 2014

Secretary of State welcomes £6m funding secured for Aerohub Business Park development

Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, welcomed today’s announcement that Aerohub @ Newquay Cornwall Airport, the UK’s aviation focused Enterprise Zone (EZ), has £6m of new funding for the first phase of its business park.  The development has the potential to create 750 jobs.

The funding includes a £2,312,000 investment from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and a grant from the European Regional Development Fund Convergence programme of £3,934,856, with Cornwall Council providing the land. The construction programme will start in early October and see completion of phase one in June 2015.

The 53.5 acre business park site will form part of the Aerohub EZ and is included in the EZ’s Local Development Order. It will have space for over 30,000 sq ft of buildings and phase one will ensure the Park is investor ready, delivering site services including road access, electricity, water and broadband. The HCA funding also includes a £150,000 contribution to the ‘Rialton Link’ road, adding to the improvement of local infrastructure.

As part of it long term economic plan the Government set up the 24 Enterprise Zones as a 25-year project to rebalance the economy and create future centres of excellence in key industries such as aviation, pharmaceutical, offshore energy and automotive. Since their start three years ago enterprise zones have created more than 9,000 jobs, attracted over 300 businesses and secured £1.2 billion of private sector investment.

Dr Cable welcomed the announcement as he passed through the EZ during his visit to Cornwall today and commented: “Cornwall’s Aerohub is an excellent example of one of the 24 Government-backed Enterprise Zones that are driving private sector-led growth across England. This new funding will help develop valuable infrastructure for the new Business Park to attract increased investment and create more jobs for Newquay and the surrounding area.”

Chris Pomfret, Chairman of the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership and Deputy Chair of the Convergence Local Management Committee, commented: “The business park is a vital component of the Aerohub Enterprise Zone which is already home to six new businesses and has created more than 150 jobs since 2012. Our aim is to unlock further growth of both the aerospace and space sectors in Cornwall to create skilled, well-paid jobs and this investment is an important step towards achieving that.” 

Ian Knight, Head of Area for the Homes and Communities Agency, said: “This is great news for Cornwall. It is an important investment for us because it helps to unlock development on the enterprise zone and act as a spur for further investment and jobs growth. We look forward to working with the local partners and using our skills in investment and regeneration to developing a thriving business park. We believe this project will add significant value to the Cornish economy.”

Julian German, Cornwall Council Portfolio Holder for Economy & Culture, added: “The Council is delighted that we have secured funding through the EU (ERDF) programme and the HCA to deliver the new Business Park located on the south side of the airport.  Once completed, this will attract new businesses employing a highly skilled workforce, demonstrating that we can still attract companies to Cornwall in a very competitive market.”

Aerohub @ Newquay Cornwall Airport has a number of high profile clients within the 280-acre site and has ample development opportunities which include hangars and office buildings, in addition to the business park. The EZ has one of the largest areas covered by a Local Development Order in existence, providing a streamlined planning regime and removing the need for a planning application for certain types of development.

Monday, 27 October, 2014

Aviation Minister announces award of contract for Newquay to London air service to Flybe

LTR: Ben Burge (Flybe), Aviation Minister Robert Goodwill, Adam Paynter (Cornwall Council)

Aviation Minister Robert Goodwill and Adam Paynter, Cornwall Council’s Cabinet Member for Partnerships, have today announced that Flybe has been awarded the contract to operate the air service between Newquay Cornwall Airport and London Gatwick for the next four years.

Flying into Newquay on Flybe’s early morning service from Gatwick to make the announcement, the Minister said that the airline would now be operating three daily return flights on weekdays all year round.

The new service, which formally began on 26 October, is supported by a Public Service Obligation which will see up to £2.8m of funding support provided by the Government over the next four years to safeguard the vital air link.

UK Aviation Minister Robert Goodwill said: “Keeping our regions connected with London is a vital part of our long term economic plan. Fast, frequent flights to the South West will unlock access to stunning landscapes and skilled businesses, benefiting the region and the UK as a whole.”

The safeguarding of flights between Newquay and London Gatwick has been welcomed by Adam Paynter who said the authority had been working closely with the Department for Transport to secure the best possible deal for Cornwall.

“We know that the airport already provides a vital link for businesses, visitors and local residents who want a fast and reliable service to and from London” he said. “Businesses in Cornwall have told us that the additional lunchtime flight will make a big differenceto them and I am delighted that we have been able to work with the Government and Flybe to enable this to happen. “I would like to thank the Minister for taking the time to travel to

Cornwall to make this announcement in person today. I would also like to pay tribute to the hard work and determination of all our partners, including our MPs, who have helped the Council to safeguard the future of this route by making the case for the Public Service Obligation “.

Flybe’s Chief Executive, Saad Hammad said “The people of Cornwall need efficient and affordable air access to the capital, which is faster than road and rail. So we welcome today’s announcement. It is an important step in improving regional connectivity in the UK, which contributes significantly to economic development. Flybe’s strategic vision is to give regional customers around the country more convenient access to the wider world. We look forward to continuing to serve our passengers flying to and from Newquay.”

Al Titterington, Managing Director, Newquay Cornwall Airport commented “Gatwick has been the backbone of the Airport’s route network for a number of years and it is has been extremely important for us to secure its continuation under the Public Service Obligation. A year round daily return service is vital for the Cornish economy and this announcement can give confidence to those using the airport and this important service. “Flybe are the largest operator here at Newquay and our aim is to continue to grow the number of destinations we operate with them by utilising their extensive network. This relationship will help our route development plans alongside other vital routes such as Manchester and Birmingham”.

Commenting, local MP Stephen Gilbert said “The threat to the Newquay to London air-link wasn't just a threat to the airport, it was a threat to the whole Cornish economy. The airport brings over £54million a year to the Cornish economy and is responsible for providing jobs in Cornwall”. “Losing the route would have plunged us into economic problems across Cornwall and I am delighted that we have been able to secure a four-year funding deal and three return flights a day. I have a simple message to businesses across Cornwall: the air-link to London is here to stay, it's been saved and it can now be used to continue to grow the recovery across Cornwall."

Wednesday, 12 November, 2014

Flybe announce new service between Newquay Cornwall Airport and London Stansted for summer

2015

Today Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline has announced a new service between Newquay Cornwall Airport and London Stansted as part of its expansion plans from the Airport.  This service will commence in May 2015 and operates from Newquay Airport as part of its summer schedule until September 2015, offering a minimum of 3 departures per week.

Flights will operate on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday and one way fares are available from £29.99 including taxes and charges and can be booked at www.flybe.com

Al Titterington, Newquay Cornwall Airport’s Managing Director commented “This is a further boost to the Airport and the tourism economy and follows on the back of the Gatwick announcement at the end of October. In previous times Stansted had been a key route for Cornwall bringing high value inbound tourism from its affluent catchment like Cambridge. We expect passenger demand to be strong and will be working with our partners to promote Cornwall”.

Wednesday, 19 November, 2014

Newquay Cornwall Airport announces new service with Aer Lingus to Dublin for 2015

Commencing 1 May 2015, with up to five-times weekly service by summer 2015; Aer Lingus Regional, operated by Stobart Air, is targeting 20,000 passengers in the first year;

Today Newquay Cornwall Airport is pleased to announce that Aer Lingus (Regional) will commence a new service to Dublin from May 2015 operating up to five-times weekly.  The new service brings a new Airline brand and destination to the Airport and signifies the dawn of a new commercial relationship with Aer Lingus.

Aer Lingus Regional, operated by Stobart Air, is targeting 20,000 passengers in the first year of service.

Passengers will depart Newquay Cornwall Airport arriving in Dublin. Initially, there will be four flights per week – Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday – increasing to five flights per week – Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday – in the peak summer months, from 27 June to 5 September 2015.

Al Titterington - Managing Director, Newquay Cornwall Airport commented “I am delighted to announce this exciting new service to Dublin with a high profile airline like Aer Lingus.  Our customers have been demanding this connection and Dublin has been a key focus of the airport’s route development strategy which aims to grow our sustainable route portfolio across multiple airlines. We expect the route to be very popular, especially inbound visitors from Ireland, and will also offer seamless connectivity to the USA where passengers can pre-clear customs and immigration in Dublin”.

Julian Carr, Managing Director of Stobart Air, said: “Aer Lingus Regional is very pleased to be offering Ireland’s first route to Cornwall. We are confident that it will become a popular route, and a key part of our summer services. The addition of Newquay, our thirteenth route from Dublin Airport, reflects the ongoing success of our airline in providing value and key connections for our customers.

“Cornwall and South West England have a great deal to offer, maintaining their own unique culture and history through numerous heritage and leisure sites, arts and language festivals, and varied cuisine.”

Councillor Adam Paynter – Portfolio Holder for Partnerships, Cornwall Council said “Today’s announcement is more great news for the airport and for Cornwall. The introduction of this route will bring significant numbers to Cornwall next year, which ultimately will support local tourism. The county relies heavily on visitors from outside the region and to have a quick and convenient connection with Ireland will bring significant economic benefits