Press Release
Issued by Cambridge City Airport.
January 12, 2011
Under a new name, and with a newly appointed airport director at the helm, Cambridge Airport enters 2011 with an ambitious plan to create a leading aviation hub for the east of England. With significant investment already made in a stylish FBO, increased hangarage capacity and a new GPS approach to complement its ILS system, the airport already functions as a fully fledged commercial aviation operation. However, with the minimal slot restrictions, full Category 7 fire & ATC status and 24/7 operational capability, Cambridge Airport, formerly known as Marshall Airport Cambridge, will now focus on growing its executive aviation potential and developing other niche, commercial aviation opportunities.
The renaming of the premises to Cambridge Airport reflects the decision to separate the airport business into a distinct unit away from owner Marshall Group's other activities. It also emphasises its proximity to the internationally renowned heart of Cambridge's high-tech scientific, academic and business community.
Leading the development is newly appointed Airport Director, Archie Garden. Archie's experience with leading UK-based aviation consultants Oriens Advisors, where he remains a non-executive director, and his years working within business development in the financial services industry position him well to execute the innovative strategy. Garden will join Robert Marshall, Marshall Group COO and Cambridge Airport Chairman, on the airport's newly formed supervisory board.
"Cambridge Airport offers a wealth of possibilities that have yet to be exploited," said Archie Garden: "We have a fabulous state-of-the-art FBO with business facilities and VIP hospitality, flexible opening hours, and can accommodate a complete range of aircraft from light jets to BBJs. We offer the full spectrum of aviation services and our vision is to develop the principal sectors of executive aviation, regular niche European city services, and aviation training," says Garden.
The future will see the refurbishment of the existing passenger terminal, growth of regional airline routes via a City Hopper schedule, and the development of the already successful horse transportation market recognising Newmarket's proximity and equine heritage.
Aviation training will also be key as pilot, fire and ATC tuition programmes will become available as the airport maximises its extensive experience in these areas. Expanding on the Newmarket theme, the airport aims to offer improved accessibility for the burgeoning Middle Eastern equine fraternity with the implementation of a Border Inspection Post by the end of 2011
In the centre of eastern England, Cambridge is also eyeing Olympic opportunities and is creating a dedicated Olympics programme supporting the overspill from London airports. "We are just 50 minutes by fast road access from Canary Wharf in the City of London and there's a fast rail link to Kings Cross, which takes just 45 minutes so we are extremely well positioned for the 2012 games," comments Garden.
General Aviation will continue to feature at the airport with Cambridge offering full support for the leisure aviator. Busses to the city centre stop opposite the GA FBO, and take only 10 minutes to get to the historic heart of Cambridge. Light aviation will continue to be welcomed at Cambridge Airport.
Robert Marshall, Marshall Group COO and Airport Chairman comments, "Cambridge Airport is potentially hugely valuable to Cambridge, its people and businesses, and to the University. Our airport has the infrastructure in place to increase our general aviation, business aviation, and equine activities and also to support city hop activities which are seeing an increasing demand. Currently some 60 people are employed exclusively to running the airport and we expect this number to grow".
