Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucester City Council are reconsidering putting Gloucestershire Airport, located at Staverton, back on the market. The 375-acre site is jointly owned by the two councils, who had planned to sell it earlier this year. However, the sale fell through when the preferred buyer, Horizon Aero Group, was unable to secure necessary funding after a financial partner withdrew from the deal.
The airport currently costs taxpayers roughly £2.7 million annually, prompting council leaders to actively explore ways to reduce operating losses. Cheltenham Borough Council leader Rowena Hay stated that selling the airport remains a priority for her authority, describing it as one of the biggest challenges they face. “I’m still very firmly of the view that we need to sell,” she told Gloucestershire Live, confirming ongoing efforts to resume the sale process.
Gloucester City Council leader Jeremy Hilton said no final decision has been made between the two councils regarding the airport’s future. “We are discussing options at the moment and will make a decision between the shareholders when ready,” he explained. He also highlighted the appointment of a new interim managing director as a positive step toward improving the airport’s operations. “We’re exploring various business options to reduce the operating deficit,” Hilton added.
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Established in 1936, Staverton Airport replaced the earlier Down Hatherley Airfield. The two councils formed Gloucestershire Airport Limited in 1993 to manage the airport, which today stands as the UK’s busiest general aviation airport. In 2023, it ranked first in the Civil Aviation Authority’s list for aircraft movements.
The airport boasts its own fire station and two business parks covering approximately 700,000 square feet. Several prominent aviation companies, including Safran Group, Babcock, and Weston Aviation, operate at or near the site, underscoring its significance to the local economy.