Cheltenham Borough and Gloucester City Councils, working in partnership with Gloucestershire airport's bolstered senior leadership team, are seeking new investment for the UK airport and are expected to instruct advisors to bring it to market in the near future.

Airport director Jason Ivey comments: "The timing's right to seek new investment, expertise and resources; it makes commercial sense for everyone. The airport's a real asset for Gloucestershire, and with the right investment it can play an even greater role in unlocking regional growth and supporting exciting projects like the Golden Valley development."

The airport has brought in a new human resources manager, Imogen Maguire, head of finance, Angela Madigan, and head of operations, Brian Rawlings, all of whom will play a central role in its sale.

"I'm delighted to have added Imogen, Angela and Brian to the team," continues Ivey. "Their additions mean we couldn't be better placed to grab this opportunity with both hands and take the airport to the next level."

The 300 acre site was formed in 1936 and originally named Staverton airport, replacing its predecessor at Down Hatherley airfield. In 1993 Gloucester City and Cheltenham Borough Councils formed Gloucestershire Airport Ltd. Today it is one of the UK's busiest general aviation airports, ranking in the CAA's top 15 for aircraft movements. It has its own fire station and two business parks spanning a combined 700,000sq ft, including the recently completed CGX Connect. Numerous high-profile aviation related businesses, such as Babcock and Safran Group, call the airport home.

The airport received a much needed multi-million pound investment in 2021, which was funded by the Gloucestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, Gloucester City and Cheltenham Borough Councils. These upgrades meant the north-south runway could be closed, freeing up over 300,000sq ft of surplus land for development. Work completed included runway resurfacing, the installation of new runway lighting, upgrades to signage and drainage, and the installation of below-ground infrastructure in readiness for a new radar system.

These upgrades, as well as surplus land and a range of potential redevelopment and other commercial opportunities, within the airport and adjoining business parks, mean the airport should prove an exciting proposition for a new owner to come in and build on its historic success.