Airport boss stands down amid sale by councils

Managing director Jason Ivey announces he is stepping down for personal reasons

The managing director of an airport is stepping down for personal reasons as its incoming owner announces a "bold" vision for future aviation growth.

Council chiefs say Jason Ivey played a pivotal role in Gloucestershire Airport's development and will be involved in the transition to the new owners - Horizon Aero Group (HAG).

Cheltenham Borough and Gloucester City Council, who jointly own Gloucestershire Airport Ltd, revealed in 2023 their intention to dispose of the site which has struggled commercially.

Mr Ivey will remain actively involved in the handover period. The recruitment process for a new managing director will begin shortly.

Mr Ivey said it has been a "genuine privilege" running the airport and wished HAG "every success in the exciting journey ahead".

"I believe the Horizon Aero Group is exceptionally well positioned to take the airport forward," he said.

"Their social value charter reflects a bold, responsible, and forward-thinking approach to growth, and I'm proud to support its implementation during the transition."

But the sale has been controversial with some.

RGV Aviation, which operates at the site, said the deal was full of "red flags", claiming Horizon appeared intent on "selling off parts of the airport land".

In the letter, shared with the BBC, RGV boss Stuart Vincent claimed Horizon had "already hosted numerous external investors on site, seemingly with the intention of parcelling and selling off parts of the airport land".

If the land was to be sold for housing and commercial development, RGV estimates it would be worth £400m.

Gloucester City Council leader Jeremy Hilton said the sale will include a strict 50-year "covenant" to stop developers building on the land.

"Horizon's enthusiasm and belief in the airport's future role in driving regional growth is clear," Mr Hilton added.

"Thanks also to Jason Ivey for his leadership—his work has laid strong foundations for this next chapter."

Gloucestershire is the busiest 'General Aviation' airport in the country, handling 68,000 aircraft movements in 2023, according to the Civil Aviation Authority.

Pilots learn to fly there and about 180 light aircraft, helicopters and private jets operate from the airport.