Italian Prime Minister and AC Milan chairman Silvio Berlusconi recently flew into Manchester Airport, on his way to see his beloved team play and subsequently win the Champion’s League final. Peter Hampson, general manager of the airfield, said: “There were 146 business aircraft movements in a 24-hour period and everyone arrived and departed without delay.

“Northern Executive Aviation is the main FBO here and they handled 63 aircraft, which was the lion’s share. Everything went very well and the airport received some very complimentary letters from both Manchester United and UEFA.”

Northern Executive hired a marquee in addition to its own lounge, which provided food and entertainment (including two wide screen televisions). There was also a fleet of chauffeur-driven limousines transferring passengers from the apron, either to their facility or onwards to the game. “We handled around 20 Citations, a BBJ and a number of Global Expresses and Gulfstreams. Along with teams, which came in on private charter airliners, there were several Italian ministers and several famous celebrities,”

said Hampson.

The Champion’s League Final came within a year of the city hosting the Commonwealth Games. “Manchester is now firmly on the map for holding large sporting events and we expect a rise in business after this because it was so successful.

“The football team certainly encourage business through the airport, because every time Manchester United has a home game we have executive jets flying into the airport from all over Europe. If there is a Champion’s League game (which Manchester United tends to qualify for), there are usually between 10 and 20 movements on the GA side. It’s part of the business which we at the airport have recognised a need for; we have an excellent facility in Northern Executive and we would assist them with any expansion in their business.”