Coventry Airport sees busiest weekend of the year so far

Monday 28th April, 2008

Coventry Airport enjoyed an exceptionally busy weekend with the arrival and departure of a variety of commercial airliners and business jets with passengers heading for the Heineken Cup semi final rugby clash between Munster and Saracens, at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena on Sunday.

Rob Sweeney, Coventry Airport’s Head of Operations, said: “We had an extremely busy weekend with the rugby match having a substantial impact on our usual weekend throughput.

“We handled several charter aircraft carrying rugby supporters as well as the Munster team, Directors and Managers. The aircraft ranged from Boeing 757s to Boeing 737s as well as and a number of 60 and 70-seater aircraft.

“In addition we handled more than a dozen private business jets through our Business Aviation Centre, including Legacys, Gulfstreams and Learjets,” continued Rob. “Several helicopter charters also visited, carrying passengers to the match. I estimate we handled over a thousand passengers more than we would on an average weekend and I’m delighted everything ran so smoothly.”

Coventry Airport is the perfect gateway to the Midlands. The Business Aviation Centre has handling agents available 24/7 with facilities to provide a fast, discreet and efficient service for the discerning traveller. Onward ground transportation, including limousines, can be organised on request, as can hotel accommodation and meeting arrangements. Hangar facilities are also available at Coventry Airport with further bespoke amenities planned for the immediate future.

Coventry Airport Management has lodged an appeal against the recent decision by Government ministers to reject the airport’s planning application to construct a new terminal building for up to two million passengers a year. A High Court hearing is scheduled to take place the week commencing 21st July.

- Ends -
Note to Editors:

• Coventry Airport was first opened in 1936 and recommenced passenger operations in March 2004. The freehold is owned by Coventry City Council. Both Warwick District Council and Coventry City Council backed the application to permit the airport to fly two million passengers per annum.
• Coventry Airport is wholly owned by Howard Holdings plc

Howard Holdings plc

• In less than 30 years, Howard Holdings plc has become one of Europe’s most respected and successful developers, combining imagination and advanced construction technology with some of the most experienced professionals to shape distinctive landscapes across the Continent.
• From residential to retail, office to leisure, airports to hotels, Howard Holdings plc has built a reputation for ambition, trust, passion, diversity and delivering visionary developments which influence the way people live, work and relax.
• Currently €4 billion (Euro) of investments and developments in hand throughout Europe, many in partnership with local, regional and national authorities, partner developers, individuals and institutional investors.
• A dynamic board, lead by industry specialists Greg Coughlan. Brendan Murtagh, Brian Madden and Stephen Webster, has combined entrepreneurial zeal with prudent financial management to create a powerful market force.