Event Detail : 21 April 2009
Exeter Airport
Clive Coleman, Exeter Airport Development Director at Balfour Beatty, spoke to the Forum for approximately half an hour on the airport's plans for the future, and how these have been affected by the current economic climate.
Mr Coleman began his talk with some historic and current facts about the airport, explaining that the airport opened in or around 1937 with its first flight taking place in 1938. The present airport site is some 137 hectres and, in addition to principal operator Flybe, incorporates approximately 50 businesses. Mr Coleman explained that the airport attracts fairly wealthy flyers, with a number of passengers flying up to 4 or 5 times a year from the airport, although this fifth flight was being squeezed as a result of the current economic climate.
The airport has received a lot of good press in recent times, confirmed by the airport being named the best airport for customer service by Which?.
Since 2007, there has been an investment of approximately £5 million in the airport, including the revamping of some of its shops.
Mr Coleman then moved on to discuss the draft masterplan that had been published for consultation. Mr Coleman explained that the projections for passenger numbers contained in the masterplan took into account the anticipated health of the economy at the time of the relevant figures. The aim of the masterplan is to give the public and local authorities information regarding how the airport proposes to develop in the long term.
Mr Coleman stated that 130 copies of the draft masterplan had been given to 50 organisations, with the masterplan also being published on the internet to generate additional feedback. There had been 166 responses received, with 550 points being made in 12 identifiable areas. The main issues identified in the feedback concerned public transport, noise and night time flights. It is anticipated that the masterplan will be published in its final form at the end of this year.
It is recognised, said Mr Coleman, that 2009 will be one of the hardest years to face the aviation industry for some time. One concern, for example, is the position of the Euro against the pound which may deter flights to Europian destinations, although it may be true that we will see an increase in domestic travel.
Looking at the performance of the airport for the year to date, Mr Coleman explained that for the rolling year to February 2009 passenger numbers were down by 3.7% and comparing February 2008 to February 2009, numbers were down by approximately 15%. Mr Coleman added that Bristol airport, which he would go on to explain to be Exeter's main rival, had seen a similar reduction in its passenger figures. This meant that it had been necessary to revise downwards the yearly forecast for the number of passengers in 2009. 2007 saw 1 million passengers at the airport, 2008 saw 900,000 and it is anticipated that 2009 will see a number below the 2008 figure.
Mr Coleman explained that the main destinations for travellers from Exeter airport was a mixture of business and leisure locations, including Paris, Glasgow, Manchester and Alicante.
Mr Coleman informed the Forum that the aim of the airport was to become the airport of choice for the south west. In terms of competition, Mr Coleman explained that Bristol was regarded as the nearest competitor with Newquay and Plymouth airports regarded as being too far away to be considered competition as such.
Mr Coleman addressed the argument that regional airports are not consistent with the pursuit for a cleaner economy, by making the point that regional airports provide a benefit by lessening the need to travel to Gatwick or Heathrow on occasions. Mr Coleman stated that the airport is aware of its impact on the environment and has plans in place to reduce its environmental impact, for example by making the airport's ground operation carbon neutral. The airport also has a two year program to change its air space management, to ensure greater control over the downward and upward movement of planes arriving at the airport, which should facilitate a reduction in noise.
Turning to targets and future plans, Mr Coleman stated that the airport was aiming for 3.3 million passengers by the year 2030, which it was hoped can be delivered, and 1.9 million passengers by the year 2015, which again it is hoped can be achieved although this will very much depend on the health of the economy.
There are plans to extend the present terminal and the Flybe maintenance area, with Mr Coleman stating that 14,000/15,000 square metres will be the terminal's optimum size. Further plans included an ambition to build a training academy off the A30 and the construction of an airport hotel.
Mr Coleman then took several questions from the floor, including a question regarding the provision for infrastructure. Mr Coleman confirmed that the South West of England Regional Development Agency had been assisting with the provision of infrastructure, including gas and road networks. Mr Coleman explained that the road access to the airport was not ideal, and there was also a need to improve surface water and sewerage and the airport was working with South West Water in this regard.
Following a question regarding the airport's income stream, Mr Coleman explained that half the airport's income was derived from its aviation business, with the remainder attributable to income tenancies and car parking.