The Air Partner initiative at Biggin Hill comes as the airport reports business jet movements increased by 25 percent last year and it foresees 30-percent further growth this year. Additional infrastructure development at the southeast London site may draw on the proceeds of parent company Regional Airports’ planned disposal of its interest in Southend Airport on the north bank of the Thames river estuary east of London. That sale could generate some $100 million, and, according to business development manager Robert Walters, the firm may select a preferred bidder by the end of June.
Walters told EBACE Convention News that as a result of available capacity and the lack of runway slot restrictions, Biggin Hill has been enjoying constant growth. The fleet of aircraft based there also is continuing to grow and could number almost 50 by mid-year, he said. For example, four jets–a 50-seat Bombardier CRJ200 to be operated by charter provider Markoss Aviation, two private corporate Challengers (one with UK registration, the other U.S.-registered) and a private U.S.-registered Dassault Falcon 900–were scheduled to take up residence in April. A larger CRJ900 is expected by mid-year and another is scheduled to arrive in about 15 months.
