Robin Hood strengthens team as it goes for growth

YORKSHIRE’S Robin Hood Airport has strengthened its management team as it looks to move into profit from its current £1m a month losses.

Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield, which is owned along with Liverpool John Lennon and Durham Tees Valley by Peel Airports Group, has appointed Mike Morton from Coventry Airport as airport director.

Peel has also brought in Nick Smillie as aviation sales director, who will be responsible for growing the passenger business and attracting more airlines as well as  Paul Rodwell, who will work as cargo director.

The move comes as the airport’s owner admitted that it is losing around £1m a month and called for more public support for Britain’s newest commercial airport which opened three years ago.

Peel has blamed tax increases and rises in fuel and security costs but has said it is optimistic about the future of the airport in which it has invested £100m and received £10m from the European Union’s Objective 1 programme.

Peel recently refused to contribute towards policing costs after a request for money from South Yorkshire Police.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport is expected to report a first ever pre-tax profit this year.

Neil Pakey, deputy chief executive of the Peel Airports Group, said: “Peel have invested £100m in developing the region’s airport. In other countries these investments have been borne by governments not private companies.

“Our first passenger wasn’t going to pay £100m so of course the airport is not making money yet. That said, it is true to say the growing taxation on the industry combined with higher security costs and the high oil prices were things we couldn’t have planned for.

“With over a million passengers a year, we remain optimistic about the airport’s future and the opportunities available for further growth.

“We have recently recruited three directors to the business with two of these focused on further developing the airline and cargo markets. We cannot do it alone though and urge the regional stakeholders and politicians to continue to support us.”

The airport, which now offers holidays and flights to more than 40 destinations worldwide, was built on the site of the former RAF Finningley base.

Mr Morton, who was operations director at Coventry Airport and worked in the coal industry for 21 years, said: “I am determined that we put this airport in a position to always be looking for improved efficiencies in order to be as competitive as possible. At the same time however, looking for greater opportunities, not only in the passenger business where we have made tremendous progress in just three years of operations, but also in the freight market, business and general aviation sectors.”

Mr Morton will report to Hugh Lang, formerly managing director at Durham Tees Valley Airport, who has recently become Peel’s group airports director.

Mr Smillie joins after four years promoting business investment in South Yorkshire, having worked for Creative Sheffield and as senior business development manager for the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham.

Mr Rodwell joins from James Fisher and Sons where he was a director of James Fisher Everard, the UK shipping company.