News Round up from Cambridge Airport: Business continues to grow.

Tuesday 20th September 2011

Cambridge Airport is reporting a significant growth in business since the beginning of 2011 when it implemented its new commercial strategy. The new dedicated airport management team, led by Airport Director Archie Garden has grown its business aviation movements year on year by 15%, fuel sales are up by 37% and it has seen a jump in parking fee revenue of 90%. Instrument approach training flights have also grown - now currently showing a 5% rise year on year.

Currently operators and private owners are driving the new business movements and many charters are originating in France and Germany. A growth in Air Ambulance flights with patients heading to renowned local hospitals, Addenbrookes which recently opened a new trauma unit, and Papworth has also been seen.

It is anticipated that within the first 18 months of operation the Airport will have added another 100 jobs to the area through the addition of companies like the Pilot Training Company and other various aviation brokers and managed aircraft companies that are in the pipeline to move to Cambridge.

New GPS system:

Training figures are expected to continue to rise following the anticipated implementation of the new GPS system by year end. The new instrument guidance system will offer additional training capability and will allow adjustment to the "Precision Approach Path Indicators" (PAPIs) enabling the same high approach angle descent as London City Airport. Once the GPS is installed Cambridge will be one of the few airports which can readily accept training flights for these specific requirements. The airport has already spoken to a number of companies who are keen to make use of the new capability.

Two new simulator rooms constructed for Pilot Training College:

Pilot Training College (PTC) selected Cambridge Airport as the location for its new professional flight training academy in June of this year and in preparation for their inaugural training courses two simulator rooms are being constructed at the airport. The rooms will accommodate a new Boeing 737 simulator and an FNPTII procedures trainer. Along with state of the art classrooms PTC will utilise the simulators to support pilot training for the likes of Flybe, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines and Air Astana.

Cambridge continues to support GA activity:

Cambridge Airport continues to focus on attracting the lighter end of General Aviation and aims to maximise the airport's resources to support local training organisations t such as Cambridge Aeroclub, Mid Anglia Flying School and Aeromega Helicopter training. Senior management is also exploring the feasibility of creating a new dedicated GA centre at the airport and has offered a series of free landing promotional offers over the last six month:

Cambridge Airport presents Cessna with commemorative plaque:

This year Cessna Aircraft Company is commemorating the 100th anniversary of its company founder learning to fly and building his first airplane. Clyde Cessna taught himself to fly just eight years after the Wright brothers first flight and the aircraft manufacturer has been a leading light in aviation ever since. To mark its long relationship with Cessna, which moved its service centre to the airport in 1974, Sir Michael Marshall, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Marshall of Cambridge Holdings Ltd, will present Tom Perry, Director of Sales Cessna Aircraft Company, with a plaque at this year's BGAD to commemorate the company's anniversary.

NBAA:

October 2011 will see Cambridge Airport making its debut at North America's premier business aviation show when it exhibits at NBAA in Las Vegas during October 10-13. The airport will be presenting its unique benefits for North American business aviation users which include access to the London region via uncongested airspace and proximity to the City of London by road in just over an hour. Represented by Archie Garden, Airport Director; Jon Harper, Business Development Manager; Terry Holloway, Group Support Executive and Marketing Manager Glynis King; the company is also preparing to announce details about its new FBO plans to the industry executives in attendance.

Robert Marshall gains IMC Rating:

Robert Marshall, Chairman of Cambridge Airport, gained his IMC Rating on 15 September 2011, following a course of instruction with the Cambridge Aero Club. Flying a Cessna 172, examiner Test Pilot and CAA Examiner, Graham Macfarlane from Marshall Aerospace said: "Robert flew a very well prepared IMC Rating test flight and it is clear he is a natural pilot." Having gained his Private Pilot's Licence in 2010, also at Cambridge Aero Club, Robert has amassed nearly 300 hours of flying experience. Aviation is in the blood of the Marshall family and Robert is the third generation following in the flightpath of his father and grandfather. Cambridge Aero Club is based at East of England's Cambridge Airport:

About Cambridge Airport:

Cambridge Airport is part of the Marshall Group of Companies, a private family business, owned and managed by the Marshall family. The business was founded in Cambridge in 1909, and entered aviation in 1929. The Marshall Group activities include Cambridge Airport, Marshall Executive Aviation, and Marshall Aerospace, focused on engineering and technology.

With a 1965m/6447ft runway 1965m/6447ft runway accepting aircraft up to Boeing 757 or Airbus 320 it is suitable for intercontinental business jets as well as small cabin aircraft. It boasts CAA Category 7 Fire & Air Traffic Control status and has full navigational aids and communications, which include radar approach coverage up to 13nm. It has invested in a new GPS approach to complement its ILS system.

Cambridge Airport primarily targets the east of England market with a strong focus on Cambridge and its business, academic and industrial sectors.

A strong provider to the equine community Cambridge Airport is 10 miles from Newmarket and offers regular services for the transportation of horses.

Cambridge Airport is home to a variety of aviation service providers including charter operator Marshall Executive Aviation, MEA which operates a Cessna Citation Bravo and Citation XLS as well as a Bombardier Challenger 300.

Other aviation companies include Capital Air Services and several GA flight training operators. It is also home of the East Anglian Air Ambulance service operated by Bond Helicopters. A fully authorised Cessna Service centre is located at the airport.

www.cambridgeairport.com