It would actually be quite a sensible investment for Peel and there'd be no competition confliction as the same would apply to MAN owning EMA, which is on the HUY catchment area periphery).
They wouldn't have to pay more than a minmal sum as all they'd have to do was promise to take on and service the debt.
They would retain the likes of Eastern/Scotia/KLM and charter operators and probably not increase rents/service charges so long as what those clients didn't conflict with proftable op's at Donny. The flying clubs don't matter, whether they stay or go is of no commercial consequence.
Comparatively HUY doesn't cost a lot to run, Peel would have a close look at all areas and almost certainly be able to make economies in areas which are overstaffed for the services they provide i.e ATC (there are a similar no. of ATCOs at Liverpool and Durham TV - both of which operate a H24 radar service, and the fire service - similar no's at LIV and DTV) and also reduce the cost of running the terminal operations quite considerably.
Although times are tight, Peel could make an economic case for taking on HUY now on the same share ownership as presently exists with the council (81/19%), hang on to it for five years and then ditch it or continue to take a small profit each year.
Last edited by niknak; 20th Sep 2008 at 19:54.