682ft AMSL
28th Jun 2002, 07:37
Here's the extract from the 'airport' section of Peel Holdings annual report & accounts, released this morning. Good times ahead for LPL is seems, less so at SZD. A Finningley decision not now expected until early next year.
682
Liverpool - Despite the challenging economic climate and particularly following events inthe United States, considerable progress was made during the year with LiverpoolJohn Lennon Airport continuing to focus on the niche 'low cost' market.Passenger throughput was 2.31m, an increase of 11.6% over the previous year.Although the rate of growth has slowed, agreements completed with Ryanair andthe Thomson Travel Group should deliver further growth in the longer term. Withnew links to Paris and Brussels recently announced by easyJet and Ryanairrespectively, Liverpool John Lennon Airport is building a credible range offlights to popular European destinations.Although the Airport's base operator, easyJet, has emerged relatively unscathedfrom the effects of the terrorist attacks earlier in the financial year, bothfreight and charter operators faced uncertain and volatile markets. Freightthroughput fell from 46,000 tonnes in 2001 to 31,000 tonnes in 2002, a decreaseof 32.6%, and the outlook for the coming year remains unclear. Every effort isbeing made to identify new opportunities to increase activity in this sector ofthe Airport's business.In the financial year, the Airport generated income of #14.79m (2001: #12.18m)and a net operating loss after interest of #0.84m (2001: #0.76m loss).Major construction work completed during the year included a new Control Tower(#3.7m) and a Terminal Building (#32.5m) catering for up to 3m passengers whichwill be officially opened by Her Majesty the Queen in July 2002; both projectsattracted European Regional Development Fund support. The completion of theTerminal Building will strengthen the revenue stream from retail units, most ofwhich have been let to recognised brand leaders. Other commercial activitiesincluded the buy-out of the external management of the car park, an additionalaviation fuel supply contract to Shell and the launch of a new Airport website,www.liverpooljohnlennonairport.com. The renaming and branding of the Airport asLiverpool John Lennon Airport achieved worldwide media coverage, raising theAirport's profile both within the aviation industry and with the travellingpublic.A further planning application has been submitted to enable the Airport toachieve its current forecast throughput of 4.5m passengers by 2006.Although medium term prospects remain encouraging, the aviation industry remainsa highly competitive and challenging environment and the new financial year willbe affected by additional costs, depreciation and interest flowing from the newTerminal.
Doncaster Finningley - The Public Inquiry into the Group's planning application for the re-developmentof Doncaster Finningley as a commercial airport concluded in March 2002. At theclose, the Inspectors indicated that they hoped to complete their report by theend of October 2002 at which stage it would go to the Deputy Prime Minister'sOffice for his consideration. A decision is hoped for in early 2003.
Sheffield City - In August 2001, in a move expected to secure its short to medium term future,Peel Airports Limited acquired a 50% interest in Sheffield City Airport Limited.The Airport was substantially affected by the downturn in aviation and stepswere put in hand to reduce operating costs in line with the level of commercialair activity. Whilst efforts continue to secure other commercial carriers, it isnot possible to predict when any additional routes will be generated. The marketopportunity to develop the Airport for general and business aviation and as aheliport is however being progressed.
682
Liverpool - Despite the challenging economic climate and particularly following events inthe United States, considerable progress was made during the year with LiverpoolJohn Lennon Airport continuing to focus on the niche 'low cost' market.Passenger throughput was 2.31m, an increase of 11.6% over the previous year.Although the rate of growth has slowed, agreements completed with Ryanair andthe Thomson Travel Group should deliver further growth in the longer term. Withnew links to Paris and Brussels recently announced by easyJet and Ryanairrespectively, Liverpool John Lennon Airport is building a credible range offlights to popular European destinations.Although the Airport's base operator, easyJet, has emerged relatively unscathedfrom the effects of the terrorist attacks earlier in the financial year, bothfreight and charter operators faced uncertain and volatile markets. Freightthroughput fell from 46,000 tonnes in 2001 to 31,000 tonnes in 2002, a decreaseof 32.6%, and the outlook for the coming year remains unclear. Every effort isbeing made to identify new opportunities to increase activity in this sector ofthe Airport's business.In the financial year, the Airport generated income of #14.79m (2001: #12.18m)and a net operating loss after interest of #0.84m (2001: #0.76m loss).Major construction work completed during the year included a new Control Tower(#3.7m) and a Terminal Building (#32.5m) catering for up to 3m passengers whichwill be officially opened by Her Majesty the Queen in July 2002; both projectsattracted European Regional Development Fund support. The completion of theTerminal Building will strengthen the revenue stream from retail units, most ofwhich have been let to recognised brand leaders. Other commercial activitiesincluded the buy-out of the external management of the car park, an additionalaviation fuel supply contract to Shell and the launch of a new Airport website,www.liverpooljohnlennonairport.com. The renaming and branding of the Airport asLiverpool John Lennon Airport achieved worldwide media coverage, raising theAirport's profile both within the aviation industry and with the travellingpublic.A further planning application has been submitted to enable the Airport toachieve its current forecast throughput of 4.5m passengers by 2006.Although medium term prospects remain encouraging, the aviation industry remainsa highly competitive and challenging environment and the new financial year willbe affected by additional costs, depreciation and interest flowing from the newTerminal.
Doncaster Finningley - The Public Inquiry into the Group's planning application for the re-developmentof Doncaster Finningley as a commercial airport concluded in March 2002. At theclose, the Inspectors indicated that they hoped to complete their report by theend of October 2002 at which stage it would go to the Deputy Prime Minister'sOffice for his consideration. A decision is hoped for in early 2003.
Sheffield City - In August 2001, in a move expected to secure its short to medium term future,Peel Airports Limited acquired a 50% interest in Sheffield City Airport Limited.The Airport was substantially affected by the downturn in aviation and stepswere put in hand to reduce operating costs in line with the level of commercialair activity. Whilst efforts continue to secure other commercial carriers, it isnot possible to predict when any additional routes will be generated. The marketopportunity to develop the Airport for general and business aviation and as aheliport is however being progressed.