By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
It is unclear how much Gloucestershire Airport is currently costing taxpayers as their finances were scrutinised behind closed doors amid the site’s expected sale.
The 375-acre site is jointly-owned by Gloucester City Council and Cheltenham Borough Council and is operated through their company Gloucestershire Airport Limited.
It is regarded as the UK’s busiest general aviation airport and sees around 66,000 aircraft movements a year.
However, it has become a heavy financial burden for taxpayers in recent years and the council has been trying to sell the site since 2024.
Both councils announced last week that an unnamed preferred bidder has been selected for the purchase of the airport who they claim is committed to maintaining Gloucestershire Airport as a thriving centre for aviation.
Councillors were told at a meeting in June that the airport’s unaudited loss for the financial year, including depreciation and loan interest, was £2.1m.
They were told at the time that the situation has been improving over the last three years with operational losses, excluding non-monetary adjustments, loans and depreciation, in 2024 at £1,333,041, down to £738,030 in 2025 and £489,979 in 2026.
Airport bosses gave the overview and scrutiny committee an update on the site’s finances last night but the details were debated behind closed doors.
Several councillors asked about the airport’s financial situation and their efforts to make the business profitable but airport bosses refused to answer in public.
During the public session, Councillor Terry Pullen (L, Moreland) said a review highlighted underperforming or uncommercially viable arrangements and revenue leakage at the airport..
“You know where the issues are, when can shareholders expect to see the benefits and actions of what you’ve identified?
“When will income be increased and when will there be a reduction in operating losses?”
Gloucestershire Airport’s managing director Brian Rawlings said: “I am not going to comment on that outside the closed session, I’m afraid.”
Councillor Stephanie Chambers (C, Quedgeley Fieldcourt) claimed the airport had improved £25,000 on this year’s accounts compared to last year.
She asked how long it would be before it became a profitable airport and would be able to pay off loans and interest.
Mr Rawlings said he would like to answer the question out of the public eye.
Cllr Chambers said there was reference to “historic customer arrangements and legacy arrangements” that may have impacted the airport.
“Are you willing to discuss that in open session and what they are?”
Again, Mr Rawlings said he would discuss that during the closed session.
Chairman Andrew Gravells (C, Abbeydale) said the report references the sale and he asked how many of the potential bidders “approached the airport about how things were going”.
“Were any good enough to suggest how they would turn the finances of the airport around?”
Mr Rawlings said he was sorry but could not comment in public.
“That is the most harmless dolly drop question I’ve ever thought up in my life,” Cllr Gravells replied.
“I’m not trying to be facetious but I can’t understand why that would be a difficult.”
Mr Rawlings replied saying “I understand where you are going but I’m not running that sale process and I would have to leave that for internal… I’m happy to make some comments but it would have to be in a closed session.”
Managing Director Jon McGinty told the meeting that officers and members of the airport management team were not able to discuss any matter of the sale because they are in the middle of a contractual process.
“There are contractual legal risks to this council, to the preferred bidder and indeed Cheltenham Borough Council if there were any discussion at this point in time on any aspect of the disposal process,” he said.
He said there would be a time after when more information on the proposed sale would be made public.
The committee ultimately voted to excluded the public and press to answer questions on the airport behind closed doors.