Business jet movements up 11% at Newquay Cornwall Airport

Monday 19th May, 2008

Airport and FBO Midwest Executive court business jointly at EBACE

Newquay Cornwall Airport and its fixed based operator (FBO) Midwest Executive have a joint presence at Europe’s premier business aviation show EBACE 2008 (May 20-22) in Geneva, Switzerland (Stand 753) as business aviation traffic continues to increase year on year into Cornwall, the UK’s most popular tourist destination. During 2007, business jet movements were up 11% - to a total of 903 aircraft. In 2008, it is forecast to grow 10%, which will push movements up to the 1,000 a year mark.

Newquay Cornwall Airport is the gateway to much of the South West of England. An hour’s flight from the major urban centres in the UK - London, Manchester, Edinburgh, etc, it offers something for everyone. Cornwall, the renowned surf capital of England, boasts a stunning coastline, fine beaches, plentiful golf courses, historic sea ports and award winning cuisine, thanks largely to celebrity chefs Rick Stein and Jamie Oliver’s sizeable investment in Cornwall.

“Because of the airport’s westerly and coastal position and its long runway it is increasingly popular as a technical stop for transatlantic flights,” said Midwest Executive Managing Director Nick Weston. “Fuel prices at Newquay are very competitive too and we saw a 28% increase in fuel sales last year,” he added.

“We are pleased at how business aviation is developing and we are happy to work closely with Midwest Executive to further realise opportunities,” said Karen Medweth, Newquay Cornwall Airport’s Commercial Manager. “This sector complements our growing number of scheduled routes, which this summer will total 24, compared with just 11 at the beginning of 2007.”

Midwest Executive Aviation opened its executive/business aviation facility at Newquay in 2003. With additional UK FBO locations at Birmingham International Airport and Durham Tees Valley Airport, Midwest Executive Aviation is now the second largest FBO chain in the UK in terms of locations.

“At Newquay Cornwall Airport, we have the full support and encouragement of the commercial and operations teams and this has been a major factor in enabling us to achieve our 2007 results,” said Nick Weston.

“I have always had a close link to the region both personally and professionally and I believe the positive Cornish attitude to life in general makes the airport and its staff so vibrant and driven. You can sense that the passengers, staff and the local community fully believe in the airport’s future and completely support it. Our FBO team all have, individually, between 19-25 years’ service at the airport and we are proud of our 100% staff retention record.”

He added: “The region is perfect for business investment and relocation owing to its excellent business aviation and scheduled links to major cities and Europe. As the airport prepares for its full transition from December 1, 2008 from an operational military airfield to a fully civilian airport, this offers a prime opportunity to develop business aviation further with plans for a new dedicated Business Aviation Centre and ramp,” he added.

Newquay Cornwall Airport can accommodate a range of jets from the new VLJs beginning to enter service in Europe to the heavier jets such as the Airbus ACJ/A319, Boeing BBJ, Embraer Legacy and Bombardier Challenger Series, all of which are now frequent visitors to the airport.