Robin Hood set for take off as Vancouver firm buys Peel stake

Vancouver is to buy the stake in Peel Airports, which runs Robin Hood Airport, John Lennon Airport in Liverpool and Durham Tees Valley Airport.

Vancouver, which runs 19 airports around the world, is keen to grow both passenger numbers and flights out of Robin Hood.

The new chief executive of Peel Airports Craig Richmond said he sees great growth at the airport.

"We really see huge potential in Robin Hood. It has a very long runway and a great catchment area," he said.

"If we can make it really attractive to fly out of Robin Hood we can see huge potential to grow both passengers and flights."

Robin Hood's long runway means that an increase in the number of cargo flights will be a key target.

Vancouver has introduced departure taxes, or airport improvement fees, at a number of its airports and Mr Richmond said it was too early to say whether they will be introduced at Robin Hood.

"We'd look at a lot of different things," he said. "But we don't want to increase the price of travel, we wouldn't do it without a lot of consultation."

He said that the group sees great growth potential from all three airports, but especially from Doncaster.

A key goal for Vancouver will be to start making a profit from the airports, which are currently loss-making.

"We hope to make them profitable as soon as possible," said Mr Richmond, but he wouldn't be drawn on a timescale.

The investment is thought to value Peel Airports at about 175m.

When asked whether Vancouver is eyeing up other UK airports, Mr Richmond said the first task would be to bed down the three airports, but then the group is "certainly interested to expand in the UK".

Peel Airports owns 100 per cent of Robin Hood and Liverpool John Lennon and a 75 per cent stake in Durham Tees Valley.

President and CEO of Vancouver Airport Services George Casey said: "Vancouver Airport Services has a strong track record of investing in and providing value-added management services for airports around the world."

Peel Group chairman John Whittaker said: "We are delighted to move forward and partner with Vancouver Airport Services. Its network of international airports and expertise as a leading airport specialist will further increase the success of these growing regional airport businesses."

Earlier this month Robin Hood reported a 13 per cent increase in passengers during May in spite of the widespread chaos caused by the volcanic ash cloud.

The year-on-year comparison showed that more than 96,000 people flew from the airport last month.

Airport director Mike Morton said: "The last few months have been an extremely tumultuous time for the aviation industry yet, despite the disruption caused by the volcanic eruption in Iceland, we are delighted to report a significant increase in passengers."

New routes with EasyJet and Aer Lingus will have played a major role in the increase.

"Holidaymakers from across Yorkshire and the Humber, North Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire are realising how much easier it is to fly from their local airport and using Doncaster-Sheffield for their travel needs," said Mr Morton.

"We are now actively engaging with local businesses as our new routes open up the possibility of more corporate travel and we will continue to work with the community we serve."

New daily Aer Lingus flights to Dublin took off from Robin Hood Airport in March, while new EasyJet routes are also now going from Doncaster to Amsterdam, Prague, Barcelona, Faro and Majorca.

Mr Morton added: "Looking ahead, we have recently announced extra capacity from Thomson Airways for summer 2011 which is thanks to strong forward sales. Our team are currently working on finalising the programme for the winter."

[email protected]