Devon County Council is now able to move forward with plans for the future strategic development of Exeter International Airport, following the appointment of consultants KPMG in partnership with the Halcrow Group.

The County Council owns all the shareholding in Exeter International Airport as well as adjoining land earmarked for commercial development, known as Skypark.

Considerable expansion of the Airport facilities will soon be required to cater for the projected growth in passenger numbers, and East Devon District Council is currently considering a planning application for development of an entirely new terminal on the north side of the runway.

The County Council announced in July 2003 that it is unlikely to be able to provide the necessary finances to invest in the expansion of the airport and therefore recognises the need for private sector involvement.

The Council said that although the operation of the airport is not one of its key services - which include education, social services or environment - it is considered vital to the local economy and therefore its successful future is of paramount importance to Devon.

It was decided to appoint consultants to advise the Council on the options available to them, which after a formal tendering process has led to the appointment of consultants KPMG with the Halcrow Group.

'This step is all part of the County Council's determination to ensure our successful and leading regional airport at Exeter can be developed and expanded and continue to provide an expanding range of airline destinations from within our county of Devon,' said Leader of the Council, Cllr Brian Greenslade.

'The primary purpose of the consultancy assignment is the appraisal of all strategic options open to the Authority regarding the future of the Airport and Skypark.

'That will lead to a clear recommendation to the Council and then implementation of that decision.'

Some of the options that the Council might be considering include full or part sale of its shareholding, a joint venture or partnership, or some form of lease arrangement.

'It's too early at this stage to say exactly what our options are - that's why we've employed a consultant to advise us - but we hope to have a preferred option to take to the Council's Executive in March 2004," said Cllr Greenslade.

Both KPMG and the Halcrow Group have worked closely with Devon County Council and Exeter International Airport before, and therefore already have a good local understanding of the issues. They have also worked with other Authorities with the sale of other airports.

Cllr Greenslade said, 'What happens after March will depend upon what our preferred option will be. As far as a time table is concerned for how things will develop, it's how long is a piece of string! We'll have to wait until we see what our options are before we're able to say how long implementation will take.'

Cllr Richard Westlake, Chairman of Exeter and Devon Airport Ltd, said, 'We welcome the appointment of the consultants and hope that they will provide a clear direction as to the approach that we should make'

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