Agenda item

A presentation will be made by James Christon, Managing Director of Exeter Airport on its current contribution to the economy and an overview of future development plans.  It is anticipated that the presentation will take place at 6.15pm.

A presentation was made by Mr James Christon, Managing Director of Exeter Airport on the continuing economic success of the Airport. He provided an overview of the current economic and environment climate including comparisons of Exeter Airport’s performance against other UK airports. He covered the Airport’s development, partnership working with the public and private sector and the contribution to the local economy.  Particular successes have been the growth in the charter market, new flight routes, Flybe’s Training Academy, and the development of a new Hotel and Restaurant on the Airport site.

The short, medium and long term aspirations of the master plan included -

Short Term

Replacement of airport equipment such as the check-in system, passenger screening and fire systems

Pavement and runway overlay in 2012

Looking at the capacity of the Royal Mail operation

Improvement of car parks

Hotel and restaurant build

Medium Term

Replacement of car parks

Development of the B3184

Development of Flybe Engineering

Departure lounge expansion and departure gates

New aircraft stands

Development of fire station and fuel farm 

Hotel development relating to the Business Park expansion

Long Term

Continued expansion of Flybe Engineering

Check-in Hall development

Arrivals Hall development and car park configuration

Hotel development relating to the Business Park expansion

He also referred to the natural and manmade activity that affected operations including economic recovery, competitive activity and local regional, national and international events such as adverse weather conditions, political activity, large sporting events and a change in security threat levels.

Mr Christon responded to a number of questions from Members -

·                     Exeter Airport paid corporation tax in this country.

·                     The Airport’s car park provider was APCOA with an overview from Exeter Airport. Changes have been made to the parking charges but there was still a free 10 minute slot, which was comparable with other airports. A considerable sum has been spent on improvements on the car parking facility including vehicle number plate recognition reducing the need for ticket validation, as well as on-line booking and a frequent shuttle bus service is available as an alternative to the car. He noted an issue raised relating to increased parking charges faced by taxi operators when flights were delayed.

• The Flybe Training Academy had been working in conjunction with Exeter College and the University.
• The Airport had also been working with the County Council to improve the Stagecoach bus link between the Airport and Exeter.  There was regular dialogue with an Exeter Airport Transport Forum to encourage public transport use for both staff and passengers.  He welcomed any opportunity to develop a partnership approach to create a rail link to the Airport through Cranbrook, although some rail linked airports had a mixed success. There was regular dialogue with the New Growth Point Board and they welcomed any opportunity to engage with the region’s rail operators to improve connecting services.
• Should the Intermodal Freight Depot be progressed, he hoped to be able to explore extending freight traffic beyond mail, but this had to be reconciled with the local community.  He would continue to make the Airport, particularly in relation to car journeys, as sustainable as possible.

The Chair thanked Mr Christon for his very informative and interesting presentation.