Holiday Giant Buys Coventry Airport

Holiday Giant Buys City Airport 
Coventry News, UK

Feb 19 2004


Holiday company TUI has taken over Coventry Airport in
a bid to get plans for passenger flights back on
track.


The travel firm - the world’s biggest whose businesses
include Thomson, Lunn Poly and new no-frills airline

Thomsonfly.com - has signed a deal to take over
control of the airport from current operator Air
Atlantique for an undisclosed sum.

It is believed to be the first time a holiday company
has taken control of a European Airport. Bosses at TUI
have promised to do “whatever it takes” to meet
planning regulations and put right infringements on
permitted development rights.

Warwick District councillors said at a meeting on
Tuesday that they had lost confidence in airport
operator Air Atlantique who they believed were
developing by “stealth” by extending the runway and
doing building work without permission.

The first Thomsonfly.com flights will go ahead from
March 31.

And, planning permission permitting, TUI intends to
build Coventry Airport into a significant regional
airport, serving up to two million passengers a year.

Will Waggott, chief financial officer for TUI, said
Coventry Airport could be turned into a proper
commercial airport.

One local MP reacted furiously to the news, accusing
the airport of being under-hand.

James Plaskitt said secret negotiations must have been
going on for a long time.

“This means they have not been dealing squarely with
us. You never know in these circumstances what the
real agenda is.”

Mr Plaskitt, who represents Warwick and Leamington,
said it meant protesters against the airport expansion
would now be taking on a big conglomerate, which had a
lot of financial backing and no local interest.

 

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