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 facilitatelinksbetween the region andthe 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 thatundoubtedly 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 todiscuss 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 newbusiness 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 2014showing 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 17thJuly 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 airportand to have his skills and knowledge to call on as weplan and deliver our strategy, will be invaluable in the years ahead".