Norwich Airport opens masterplan consultation
Norwich Airport has published a draft masterplan setting out a vision for the airport's continued growth over the next 30 years, which is now open to consultation until 17th August 2017. It explains how the airport can increase its significant contribution to the local economy while improving the experience of passengers and boosting East Anglia’s connectivity for business and leisure at home and abroad.
Passenger numbers exceeded 500,000 for the first time last year since 2008, and could rise to 1.4 million by 2045. Norwich Airport is worth some £70 million to the local economy and this could increase to £170 million in the same period.
The draft masterplan outlines options for how the airport could grow in a sustainable way, and is now available for comment at local council offices and via www.norwichairport.co.uk/masterplan
Richard Pace, Managing Director of Norwich Airport, said: “The masterplan sets out the vision for the future development of Norwich Airport and its continued vital role in supporting our region’s economy.
“As well as projected passenger growth, the aim is to continue to be the transport hub for the offshore oil, gas and renewable industries for the Southern North Sea, and a centre of excellence for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of aircraft, closely linked to the International Aviation Academy Norwich in which we are a founding partner.
“We also address the implications for growth and the need to ensure that it is delivered in an incremental and sustainable way. By continuing to engage with the community we look forward to the airport further enhancing the connectivity and the social and economic fortunes of our region.”
Norwich Airport is part of Regional & City Airports, the airport management division of Rigby Group plc having been acquired in June 2014. The airport employs 250 people.
The scheduled airlines are KLM, Eastern Airways, bmi regional, Flybe and Loganair, with Charter operators Thomson, Balkan Holidays, Newmarket Holidays and Omega Holidays.
The airport is a key hub for the southern North Sea offshore oil and gas industry. Four major offshore helicopter operators are based at the airport. These are Bristow, Bond, CHC and NHV. Last year 100,000 passengers travelled offshore from the Airport.
The Airport offers direct scheduled flights to Amsterdam (with connections to over 600 destinations worldwide), Aberdeen, Alicante, Edinburgh, Exeter, Guernsey, Jersey, Malaga and Manchester. Connections through Manchester enable passengers to reach Belfast, Glasgow, Isle of Man, Inverness and many more.
Holiday flights from Norwich Airport operate to the Balearic and Canary Islands, Cyprus, Greece, Bulgaria, Italy, Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, Switzerland and Lapland.