3. Exeter International Airport Today Introduction Plymouth, Exeter and major naval ports such as Plymouth Docks, Portland and Portsmouth. It was also 3.1. Exeter International Airport provides the region with used for flying training by American forces as a launch a network of routes to a wide range of domestic and point for their airborne troops operating as part of the European cities and regions and is a major hub in the D Day landings. Royal Mail distribution system. 3.8. To facilitate large military aircraft operations from Exeter 3.2. The Airport is located approximately 6km to the the MOD constructed three hard surface runways in East of Exeter City Centre within East Devon District 1940. These consisted of a NE/SW runway of 914m. A Council (EDDC). Its neighbours include the residential NW/SE runway of 1033m and an E/W runway of 960m. communities of Aylesbeare, Broadclyst, Clyst Honition, Whilst all three runways still exist today, only one now Clyst St Mary, Marsh Green, Ottery St Mary, Rockbeare, remains in operational use, the E/W runway, 08/26 and West Hill and Whimple. this has been extended over subsequent years to its current length of 2083m. 3.3. Exeter International Airport lies within the Exeter and East Devon New Growth Point Area and future development adjacent to the Airport includes; • Skypark – 40 hectares of office development; • Science Park – 43 hectares of science, research and learning development; • Inter Modal Freight Exchange – A development of transit and warehouse facilities providing connections between road and rail; and • Cranbrook New Community – a new town development. 3.4. Exeter International Airport is located close to Junction 29 of the M5 and adjacent to the A30 dual carriageway. 3.9. The MOD decommissioned RAF Exeter in July 1946 and These roads provide excellent connectivity to the region control of the Airport was then passed to the Ministry enabling easy access to the Airport. Bus services have of Civil Aviation on 1st January 1947. Exeter Airport developed over the last few years providing connections Limited was formed as a Management Company and to Exeter St Davids Railway Station, Exeter City Centre, the aerodrome continued as a regional base for flying Sidmouth and other neighbouring communities. training of RAF reservists. Several companies also used the site for the construction, repair and maintenance The History of Exeter International Airport of light aircraft. In 1954 a Civilian Anti-Aircraft Co- Operation Unit was formed and managed by Exeter 3.5. In January 1932 the Exeter Corporation was one of Airport Limited to provide target-towing facilities for the first Municipal authorities to develop an airport. gun emplacements in the West of England. The Airport was officially licensed for public use on 9 September 1937 and formally opened by the Air 3.10. Commercial Airline Operations were restarted in 1952 Minister, Sir Kingsley Wood on 20 July 1938. Airline by Jersey Airlines, flying primarily to the Channel services had already been inaugurated in June 1937, Islands. when Jersey Airways introduced summer services from the Channel Islands. 3.11. In 1958 the MOD (Air) acquired the Airport from its former owner Exeter City Council and it remained 3.6. The Airport was requisitioned by the MOD for military in their ownership until 1972 when it was sold to a use on 1st June 1940 and re-named RAF Exeter. consortium of Devon County Council (DCC), Exeter City Council (ECC) and Torbay Council (TC). DCC acquired 3.7. During the wartime it was used by the RAF for sole ownership in 1974. many functions including air defence, particularly of www.exeter-airport.co.uk 15 3.12. Exeter International Airport celebrated its 60th 3.15. The growth of Flybe routes and services reflects the Diamond Anniversary during July 1998 and nearly UK and European trend of increased demand for air a year later Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal travel for social and business purposes, the increased officially opened Exeter International’s new arrivals capacity and demand in the low-cost airline sector and building. The new arrivals facility included separate the gradual trend for increased direct services from the domestic and international arrival areas as well as regions rather than via the London airport system. improved waiting facilities for meeting and greeting passengers. A new departure lounge was opened in June 2003 and an extension added to the check-in hall Exeter International in 2009 in 2005. 3.16. In 2007 the Airport was used by more than one million passengers and supported the operation of a number 3.13. In 2004 Devon County Council’s (DCC) Executive of airlines and tour operators who between them fly Committee committed to sell Exeter & Devon Airport to 52 destinations in 23 countries. Flybe currently Limited in order to secure future long-term development operate a fleet of Bombardier Q400 and Embraer 195 and management of the Airport. After an extended aircraft based at Exeter serving 27 destinations from sale process the Airport was sold in January 2007 to Spring 2009, including: Regional and City Airports Exeter Ltd (RCAE) in a deal described by Councillor Brian Greenslade, who was Aberdeen Dubrovnik Malaga Leader of Devon County Council as "good news for Alicante Edinburgh Manchester the Airport’s future and the county economy." Amsterdam Faro Newcastle Avignon Geneva Nice 3.14. By 2002, Exeter International Airport's annual Belfast City Glasgow Norwich passenger total had stagnated at just over 300,000. Bergerac Guernsey Palma Passengers travelled on a number of summer sun Brest Inverness Paris charter routes and a small number of scheduled routes Chambery Jersey Rennes operated by Jersey European/British European and Dublin Leeds Bradford Salzburg SkyBus. Flybe’s (formally Jersey European/British European) introduction of new services and routes from Table 3.1 – List of Flybe destinations from Exeter International the Airport has acted as a catalyst for rapid growth in Airport, 2009 passenger numbers. Additionally, Exeter International Airport is one of a few airports in the UK where charter 3.17. Weekly services operated by Air Transat serve Toronto traffic has increased over the last few years, reflecting in Canada during the summer months. SkyBus operate the regional market demand for package holidays. In year round services to St. Mary’s on the Isles of Scilly. autumn 2007, First Choice Airways established their South West Regional base at Exeter with a dedicated 3.18. There are numerous seat only charter and fully inclusive A320 based aircraft. package holidays on offer from Exeter International throughout the year. The majority of these flights are provided through major tour operators such as First Choice, TUI, Thomas Cook, Bath Travel and Balkan Holidays. The main charter airlines operating holiday flights are Thomas Cook, TUI, Palmair and Air Malta. The primary destinations are: Bodrum Gran Canaria Palma Corfu Ibiza Paphos Dalaman Lanzarote Rhodes Faro Larnaca Tenerife Funchal Mahon Tunisia Fuerteventura Malaga Geneva Malta Table 3.2 – List of charter destinations from Exeter International Airport, 2009 16 Exeter International Airport - Master Plan October 2009 3.19. In addition, a number of specialist charters operate to the Airport to continue to make use of the aprons destinations including: and parking areas and for the aviation business and GA operators to remain in their existing locations until Bridgetown (Barbados)* Enontekio Mauritius* the north side of the Airport is developed and new Palma Pula (Croatia) Rovaniemi sites made available. Exeter International Airport will Sicily Verona gradually withdraw from Skypark area from 2010 ahead of development. * non direct flights Table 3.3 – List of Specialist Charters in 2008 Runway, Taxiways and Aprons 3.20. Exeter International Airport currently handles little 3.24. The airfield is the largest proportion of land take within cargo. However, the Royal Mail has a significant the Airport boundary and consists principally of the operation based at Exeter processing and handling runway, taxiways and aircraft stands plus important first class mail for the South West. The volume of mail ancillary facilities including the fire station, fire training handled has steadily grown reflecting Royal Mail’s ground and fuel farm. policy to distribute first class mail by air rather than by road or rail. 3.25. The runway bearing 08/26 runs approximately east west and is 2083m in length. A taxiway system to the south of the runway provides for the distribution of aircraft from aircraft parking stands to the runway and a turning circle at the eastern end of the runway enables departing or arriving aircraft to turn. 3.26. Runway 08/26 is designed as Category 1 in accordance with CAP 1681 and is of adequate length and width for all current destinations and aircraft types operating from the Airport. Simulations have shown that the single runway airfield is able to cope with forecast traffic to 2030, however, additional taxiway access will be required to increase the runway movement rate. 3.27. In common with many UK airports Exeter International Airport has a dispensation from the CAA for its Existing Airport Facilities Runway End Safety Area (RESA) following a change in 3.21. The operational area of Exeter International Airport regulations in 1999. The RESA at the western end of the is 137 hectares. The Airport has developed on both runway is shorter than current licensing requirements and sides of the main runway with the southerly area the Airport will continue to manage this dispensation being the location for passenger facilities and Flybe’s through risk assessment and management and careful Maintenance Base. The northern area is used for control over developments to the west of the Airport. aircraft parking, aircraft maintenance facilities and some General Aviation (GA) activity.