Northern Ireland charter business Woodgate Aviation is investing UK£1.5 million in a purpose-built hangar at Belfast International airport. The company operates private passenger, medevac and cargo flights to UK and European destinations as well as maintenance and handling facilities.

It has bases at Belfast, Newtownards and Ronaldsway Airport on the Isle of Man and uses a range of aircraft including a King Air 200 that can carry up to eight passengers. The latest hangar is scheduled for completion in June this year, and was prompted by a significant increase in demand for services in the region.

“Woodgate has a proven track record stretching back 45 years in the aircraft charter business,” says md John Keen. “Coming out of recession, the business has experienced impressive growth and we have every confidence that the upward trend will continue. This private investment is something we thought a lot about as we wanted it to be a statement to the market about our strength, commitment and belief in growth prospects.

“It will be 25,000 sq ft in size with a dedicated business lounge for clients and floor space for six B200s or a Global Express.”