HUMBERSIDE AIRPORT NEWS - 25/06/2008

Humberside Airport to revise plan

North Lincolnshire Council (NLC) is looking to maximise the potential of Humberside Airport after the majority shareholder announced its intention to sell its shares in the business.

Manchester Airports Group (MAG) is shifting its focus towards the larger of its airports and doesn’t consider Humberside to be part of its emerging strategy.

A spokeswoman for MAG conceded that selling its 82.7 per cent stake had prompted an uncertain future for the 730 people who work in and around the hub.

She said: "We have grown the business since taking over in 1999 and we would hope that would be the case under new ownership.

"It is a great airport, it returns a profit but we feel it needs somebody else to take it forward as we concentrate on our core business at our other airports."

The recent announcement came as something of a surprise to NLC who own the remaining 17.3 per cent.

Simon Driver, Council chief executive was said to be considering its position.

Mr Driver said: "North Lincolnshire Council welcomes the long-term relationship with Manchester Airports Group and recognises that now is the time to look to the future."

Business projections estimate that Humberside Airport can expect to handle about one million passengers annually by 2016 while MAG concentrates attention on its Bournemouth, East Midlands and Manchester sites.

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