Airport reports 'strong performance'
21.07.11
Newcastle Airport said its performance for 2010 ‘compared favourably’ with other regional airports, while its financial results ‘remained comparatively strong’ the Journal reports. Its passenger numbers dropped from 4.6 million to 4.4 million in 2010, pre-tax losses increased from £4.1m to £4.8m and its operating profit down to £16.1m from £17.1m in 2009.
A spokesman told the newspaper: ‘Considering the events we faced in 2010, including the volcanic ash cloud and the weather problems of January and November, the results are remarkably strong. Set against the background of challenging conditions in the aviation marketplace, Newcastle Airport has weathered the storm very well.’ He added economic problems had been ‘compounded by successive increases in air passenger duty’, a tax which may be raised again next year.
Staff numbers rose from 360 to 371, while the airport welcomed the imminent opening of a Hilton DoubleTree airport hotel in the autumn as a ‘signal the airport is going places’. The spokesman added: ‘We have ambitious plans going forward. We are working with airlines to improve frequency and new routes and there is a possibility of announcements, and we are also looking at further improvements to the terminal.'
‘While these have been challenging times, Newcastle Airport remains one of the UK's key regional airports and remains a robust business with a crucial role to play in the North East both now and in future.’
Add to: del.icio.us | Digg it | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit
To book a newcastle airport hotel or newcastle airport car park at the lowest price click on these links to newcastle airport car parking and newcastle airport hotel price comparison pages.
