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Coventry Airport

Coventry Airport - some key information

The airport ceased commercial flights at the start of November 2008. The airport said it will now "focus on business aviation and freight only".

Coventry Airport may eventually re-open. New owner - Sir Peter Rigby

Airport bought in late April 2010. Plans for its future still uncertain.

Coventry Airport closed by owners - 8th December 2009

Coventry Airport has been closed indefinitely because of financial difficulties.

West Midlands International Airport, which owns it, had been due to appear in the High Court on Wednesday to respond to a winding-up petition, but decided to close it. Thomsonfly stopped flights out of the airport in November 2008 and a year earlier the airport saw plans for a new terminal rejected. (BBC) Click here to view full story...

Around 70 jobs have been lost after struggling Coventry Airport closed down ahead of a winding-up petition due in court. More .....

Commercial passenger flights to and from the airport ceased in November 2008. It has abandoned plans to build a passenger terminal and is focusing on freight and business flights. UK Airport News

Coventry Airport abandon terminal appeal

1.2.2009 UK Airport News

Coventry Airport have abandoned plans to appeal against a High Court decision which blocked plans to build a new passenger terminal. The decision brings to an end the airport's five year battle to build a new terminal, and appears to signal the end of passenger flights for the forseeable future.

The airport took its fight for a new terminal to the High Court after the plans were blocked by the secretary of state for communities and local government in April 2007. The airport was then dealt a double whammy last October when the High Court threw out its appeal against the decision, swiftly followed by Thomsonfly's announcement it planned to pull passenger flights from the airport within weeks.

Now the airport's management have confirmed that they have abandoned plans to appeal against the High Court decision, and instead intend to concentrate on the executive travel market. Work has started on transforming the airport's Rapide House into a luxury lounge for business travellers. The airport hopes to cash in on its close location to the likes of the Ricoh Arena and Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre, and its proximity to the heart of the country's motorway network.

Airport director Brian Cox said: 'We are extremely excited about the prospect of this dedicated executive aviation centre. Coventry Airport has always been popular with the business traveller due to its location at the heart of the Midlands, giving accessibility with a speedy and quietly efficient service.' The new look Rapide House looks set to open in April. Article

Airport Contact Details:

Coventry Airport
Coventry Airport South
Siskin Parkway West
Coventry CV3 4PB

Tel: Coventry Airport Information: 024 7630 8600

Email: info@coventryairport.co.uk.

Airport Owner:

Patriot Aviation, owned by Sir Peter Rigby. (since April 2010) http://www.patriot.uk.com/index.html

Was (until April 2010)CAFCO (Coventry) Limited, a joint venture between Howard Holdings plc and Convergence-AFCO Holdings Limited (CAFCOHL)

Airport Operator:

West Midlands International Airport Ltd.

Airport website: http://www.coventryairport.co.uk/

Airport Master Plan: There isn't one.

Airport Consultative Committee:

CAA figures:    CAA aviation statistics 2007

Terminal Passengers:    thousands - CAA - Terminal Passengers
2008    331,022 (down 44.7% - no passengers in December 2008)

2007 599,000 (down 2%)

2006    610,000
2005   719,000
2000      2,000
1996      1,000

Air Traffic Movements (approx - thousands):   CAA ATM statistics
2008     4.4 (down 41.1%)

2007 7 (down 8%)

2006     8
2005    10
2000     3
1996     5

Air Freight   (tonnes):    CAA Air Freight statistics
2007    7,469 (down 4%)

2006    7,785
2005    6,142
2000    3,270
1996    21,532

Multimap:

Multimap for Coventry airport

Local community group: -

Wikipedia on Coventry Airport: Wikipedia

Runway: 05/23 2,008 metres 6,586 ft Asphalt

Some recent news about Coventry airport:

UK Airport News website

£4million deal to get Coventry Airport back in business

15.6.2010 Coventry Telegraph The airport’s new owner Sir Peter Rigby has signed a £4 million contract with Serco for air traffic services. Less than five weeks after buying the airport, the tycoon’s aviation group Patriot Aerospace has secured the deal in a bid to get the airport operational again as quickly as possible. Sir Peter said: “We are confident we have selected the best option in Serco for the future air traffic service for the airport, and with the co-operation of the Civil Aviation Authority and the new provider we will have full air traffic services operational shortly. This underpins our strategy to resume full operations including attracting business jet traffic, freight and potentially future airline operations.” Full article ....

New owners agree deal to save Coventry Airport

28th April 2010 A deal has been signed for Sir Peter Rigby to become the airport's new owner. Negotiations between the airport landowners Coventry City Council and Sir Peter’s aviation group Patriot Aerospace, have been ongoing for several months. He says his plans include resurrecting commercial flights from the airport and creating more jobs. He hopes for low cost flights to Europe, including scheduled flights. (Coventry Telegraph)
Click here to view full story...

Deal for takeover of Coventry Airport close

23.02.10 Tycoon Sir Peter Rigby is closing in on a deal to take over Coventry Airport, the Birmingham Post reports. He could conclude a deal for the airport in a matter of weeks, it suggests. The Patriot Aviation Group-owner has been holding talks with tenants and users of the airport and has reportedly gained a support in his quest to reopen the site – which has been closed since December last year. Click here to view full story .....

Sir Peter Rigby lining up swoop for Coventry Airport

18th February 2010 Midlands tycoon Sir Peter Rigby is lining up a dramatic swoop to buy Coventry Airport. One of the richest men in Britain – with an estimated fortune of £300m – he has financial muscle and a passion for aviation. Sir Peter has begun detailed talks with Coventry City Council about taking over the business. Sir Peter has been given “exclusive due diligence”. (B'ham Post) Click here to view full story...

Local firm interested in Coventry Airport takeover ?

15th February 2010 A Midlands-based company is reported to be looking at buying and taking over the running of Coventry Airport, the council has said. The news comes after Switzerland-based business support firm ADP pulled out of a proposed deal to take it over. Click here to view full story...

27.1.2020 Switzerland-based firm looks at buying Coventry Airport

30.12.09 Talks to reopen Coventry Airport

Coventry Airport closed by owners

8th December 2009 Coventry Airport has been closed indefinitely because of financial difficulties.

Winding up petition served to Coventry Airport

2nd December 2009 Coventry Airport is facing an uncertain future after the company which owns it - West Midlands International Airport Ltd - it was served a petition to ‘wind up’ its business amid rumours of spiralling debt. The airport has been up for sale since May of this year. A hearing is due to take place at London’s Royal Courts of Justice on Wednesday, Dec 9. If the court grants the petition and makes the winding-up order, the airport will be placed into compulsory liquidation. (Birmingham Post) Click here to view full story...

Coventry confident of business aviation future

23rd June 2009 Coventry Airport is confident in its ability to transform itself into a business aviation centre as its new fixed-base operation nears completion. Last year, owner Howard Holdings failed to get the green light to develop a new 2 million passenger terminal and lost scheduled services from low-cost airlines Thomsonfly and Wizz Air. The airport is now up for sale, and wants to develop as a UK cargo, ad hoc charter and executive jet hub. (Flight Global) Click here to view full story...

Coventry Airport put up for sale

8th May 2009 Coventry Airport, which lost its only passenger airline last year and has seen plans for a new terminal rejected, has been put up for sale. Thomsonfly left in November. Plans for a new terminal were dropped in February. A public inquiry had found they would have an adverse impact on noise in the area. The airport director said they are concentrating on developing the airport as a 'Midland hub' for cargo, executive jets and ad hoc charter operations. (BBC) Click here to view full story...

Coventry Airport operator ‘could be dissolved’

07.04.09 The company that operates Coventry Airport will be wound up unless it files its accounts, the Courier reports. Companies House has threatened to strike West Midlands International Airport Ltd from its register and dissolve the business, as its accounts are 5 months overdue.

A statement issued on Monday said: ‘The Registrar of Companies gives notice that, unless cause is shown to the contrary, at the expiration of three months from [April 7 2009] the name of West Midlands International Airport Ltd will be struck off the register and the company will be dissolved.’

However, Coventry Airport director Brian Cox told the newspaper: ‘The late registration of our 2007 accounts with Companies House is being addressed by both our finance department and external accountants. I would personally like to apologise for any inconvenience this delay has caused and to assure all concerned that this oversight will be rectified immediately.’

2009

01.12.09 Coventry Airport served with winding up petition

27.09.09 Potential buyer for Coventry Airport

22.08.09 Coventry Airport partners with luxury car company
16.08.09 Art exhibition at Coventry Airport

29.06.09 Coventry Airport seeks new customers
21.06.09 Coventry Airport sale update
05.06.09 Business group to help with Coventry Airport sale

29.05.09 Coventry Airport boss angry at MP’s ‘end of runway’ jibe
22.05.09 Coventry Airport outsource air traffic control
08.05.09 Coventry Airport for sale
07.04.09 Coventry Airport operator ‘could be dissolved’

2008

09.11.08 Last passenger flight from Coventry Airport
08.11.08 Coventry Airport terminal appeal

29.10.08 Job losses at Coventry Airport
19.10.08 Coventry Airport to target business and cargo
16.10.08 Thomsonfly pulls out of Coventry Airport
07.10.08 Coventry Airport loses planning appeal
03.10.08 Thomsonfly ‘reviewing’ Coventry operation

22.08.08 Speed record from Coventry Airport
18.08.08 Five killed as small planes crash near Coventry Airport
13.08.08 Wizz Air axes Poland flights from Coventry Airport
06.08.08 Coventry Airport to offer aircraft parking

29.07.08 Coventry airport decision reserved
23.07.08 Four new routes for Coventry Airport
20.07.08 Coventry Airport terminal bid goes to High Court
12.07.08 Coventry Airport launch ‘take off’ magazine
04.07.08 Coventry Airport blackout

24.05.08 Coventry Airport outsource security
08.05.08 Wizz axe Coventry – Poland flights
04.05.08 Coventry Airport enjoys busy weekend