There has already been a raft of interest in the airport which is an attractive offer for MRO, training, parting and defence companies. The airport has 325 hectares of land available for development, one of the longest runways in the UK, uncongested airspace close to the Atlantic Ocean, with a comprehensive suite of navigational aids and air traffic control systems.

The Cornwall Council, who owns the airport, has recently invested £50m into facilities to enable businesses to operate from the airport. Land has also been earmarked for an Airport Business Park and the vision is to become a global hub for aerospace business. This is already beginning to take hold with leading companies such as global helicopter giant AgustaWestland and fixed base operator Weston Aviation operating from the airport.

There are a number of development opportunities at Newquay. The two-phase development is now underway and design and build packages are available to potential aviation-related occupiers.

Phase 1 is centred around two existing aircraft aprons on the south side of the airport.

• The 404 Apron extends to over 10.75 acres and will soon be upgraded to meet CAA regulations. With direct access to the main runway and the capacity to deliver over 400,000ft² of hangarage, this apron is the focus for proposed fixed-wing MRO activity. Over 8.6 acres of development land is immediately available around the apron.

• The 404 hangar and adjacent offices will be available for occupation in summer 2011, following extensive redevelopment. This 60,000ft² hangar offers an ideal opportunity for aircraft maintenance companies, particularly those specialising in narrow body jet aircraft, such as Boeing 737 or A320.

• The 5 acre 402 Apron will be the focus for rotary-wing activity. Its existing hangar is home to AgustaWestland’s OFTC centre, and there is scope to accommodate another 165,000ft² of new hangar space around this apron.

Phase 2 promises to make available more than 60 acres of developable land for hangars or other aerospace buildings or activity. Potentially this could accommodate over 100,000m² of buildings, and development sites and hangars will be available on a phased basis from 2012.

The Aerodrome Business Park (from 1-80 acres), will also be available for development from 2011 for wider aerospace and airport business activity.

In addition to the commercial viability of the land available at the airport, Cornwall’s existing talent pool is able to provide the right skills to ensure success.  Having been home to leading aerospace businesses for many years, the talent pool is full of professionals with direct experience in aircraft engineering, as well as those with vital flying and maintenance skills. What’s more, Cornwall’s wider industrial heritage provides an invaluable broader skills base: the county has a rich tradition of ship building and marine engineering, providing relevant readily transferable expertise for the aerospace sector. Further strengths include

IT, military technologies and product design – all of which can be harnessed to real effect by prospective employers.

With these opportunities available, the airport is set to grow to be a hub of aerospace activity in the South West. 

For more information please contact us on +44 (0)1872 322 800 or email info@investincornwall.com

Download the Cornwall Aerospace brochure .