Almost 30,000 more passengers in 2014
Exeter Airport is celebrating another year of growth with passenger numbers up by almost 30,000 in 2014 thanks to the addition of new domestic flights and continued investment in airport facilities.
The total number of passengers using the airport in 2014 was in excess of three quarters of a million at 763,000. The increase builds on the previous year’s growth which saw numbers rise for the first time in six years.
Since June 2013, Exeter Airport has been owned Regional & City Airports, the airport management division of Rigby Group plc which also owns Norwich International Airport and Coventry Airport.
Matt Roach, managing director of Exeter Airport, said: “This is the second year of solid growth and has been largely driven by additional domestic services including the launch of Flybe’s London City flights, the four times daily service to Manchester, and the return of the popular Newcastle service.
“At the same time we have invested more than half a million pounds in airport facilities, including a fast-track security channel for London City passengers, a major upgrade to our corporate aviation Jet Centre, and we are building a new executive lounge that we expect to open in February.
“The current financial year will be the first full year as part of Rigby Group, and with revenues and operating profit both up since the acquisition we look forward to further growth as the gateway airport to the South West.”
Mr Roach said the return of popular sun routes to Alicante, Faro, Malaga and Palma Mallorca had been welcomed by passengers, as had a new service to the ‘Parisian Riviera’ at Deauville in northwest France, which starts in June.
Meanwhile the growing list of codeshare agreements between Flybe and other carriers means even more flexibility for long-haul travellers with seamless onward travel available from Exeter to a range of international destinations via Manchester or Dublin.
Mr Roach added that improvements to the airport’s approach road by Devon County Council, including road widening, were progressing well and expected to be completed in March.
