Bournemouth Airport bought for undisclosed sum

The airports management division of Rigby Group plc, has completed the purchase of Bournemouth Airport for an undisclosed sum.

Rigby have added another operation to a portfolio that already includes Norwich, Exeter, and Coventry Airports, as well as contracts to operate Solent (formerly Daedalus Airfield), City of Derry and Blackpool Airports.

The purchase of Bournemouth Airport from Manchester Airports Group further expands a network of growing passenger and commercial aviation facilities across the South of England.

Group Chairman and Founder Sir Peter Rigby said: “The acquisition of Bournemouth Airport represents an important landmark in our strategy to create a robust and credible group of regional airport assets and services across the UK.

“Not only does it expand our catchment to include the major regions of South England, but also focuses operations on a core market poorly serviced by the major aviation players.”

Day-to-day management of the adjacent 200-acre Aviation Business Park will be handled by Rigby Real Estate – the parent group’s specialist property management division.

Bournemouth Airport currently offers flights to 22 destinations across Europe, with 700,000 passengers using the airport in 2016.

A base for Ryanair and TUI, the facility has undergone a £45m investment – providing air travellers to and from the South Coast region with a new and greatly improved passenger experience – and supports 900 full time equivalent jobs contributing more than £24 million to the local economy.

Steve Rigby, Rigby Group COO, commented: “While already a well-run and robust operation, Bournemouth Airport is ripe for growth. Growing demand for both UK and International flights in nearby Southampton offers significant scope to increase passenger numbers, while the site’s potential as a regional business hub also represents a clear opportunity for expansion.

“We’re here to do business, and have already reached out to key regional stakeholders with a view to driving forward to growth of the airport.”