Coventry Airport
ERRAF and associates became part owners of Coventry Airport in January 2006, and CIAO had the exclusive management contract to operate the airport from January 2006 until the contract was ended by agreement in 2008.
As such, CIAO was responsible for all aspects of the airport’s operation, commercial and physical development.
The CAA awarded Coventry Airport an ANSP (Air Navigation Service Provider) Licence in June 2007, with a CIAO executive named as the “Responsible Party”.
Whilst Coventry airport has been in private ownership since 1998 following its original divestiture by Coventry City Council to Atlantic Group, many of the privatisation issues had never been fully addressed. The airport was subsequently sold to the owners of Thomsonfly who owned the airport until the end of 2005. Therefore CIAO committed substantial senior management resource and support in preparing both the asset and staff for the major airport expansion programme that was due to commence once a favourable planning decision was received. This development was planned to include a new passenger terminal, FBO and freight facilities.
During 2005-2006 Coventry Airport was subject to two public inquiries for both 0.98m and 2.0m PAX terminal expansions. CIAO was successful in attracting Wizz Air who started new operations to and from Katowice in July 2007.
A £50m capital expenditure programme was prepared and finalised. This included a new terminal building (10,000m2) designed to process 2 million passengers p.a., runway improvements, expanded business aviation, airfield ground lights, NAVAIDS, Air Traffic Control Enhancements and freight facilities. In addition, a new hotel development at a cost of almost £5m was planned.
CIAO established strong working relationships with the local authorities, government planning agencies, Chambers of Commerce, local industry, tourist bodies and tour operators to promote Coventry and the economic development of the region Coventry airport serves.
Coventry Airport – Key Statistics
| Runway 05/23: | 2008m x 46m asphalt PCN48/F/B/X/U |
| Helicopter FATO 06/24 - 100m x 23m grass | |
| Total Passengers: | 611,007 ALLPAX |
| Total Passenger Movements: | 6,291 |
| Freight Throughput: | 12,472 tonnes |
| Total Freight Movements: | 4,654 |
| Total Air Traffic Movements: | 45,201 |
| Annual Fuel Sales: | Jet 1 1,400,000 litres |
| Avgas 900,000 litres | |
| Car Parking: | 1415 spaces in use, capacity for 2060 |
| Check-in desks: | 8 |
| No of Staff employed: | 180 |
| Airlines: | Thomsonfly.com flies to 13 destinations. Wizz Air: 3 times weekly service to Katowice |
| Navigation Aids / ATC: | ILS Runway 05 CAT1 system ILS Runway 23 CAT1 system NDB/Locator SRA available for Runway 05 and 23 to 2 miles touchdown |
