Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucester City Council have confirmed that plans to sell Gloucestershire Airport to Horizon Aero Group have collapsed after the parties failed to reach agreement on the terms of the deal.
The two councils, which jointly own the airport, said they were unable to accept the company’s revised proposal because it had moved “significantly away” from the conditions set out in the original bid prospectus.
In a joint statement released today, the councils acknowledged that the outcome would come as a disappointment to those who had hoped the sale would provide clarity about the long-term future of the site.
Negotiations between the councils and Horizon Aero Group had been ongoing for an extended period, involving detailed due diligence and discussions about the airport’s future. Despite those efforts, the councils said they ultimately could not secure terms that represented the best value for local residents and the wider regional economy.
Cheltenham Borough Council leader Rowena Hay said the decision had not been taken lightly. “It is our duty to deliver best value on the sale of the airport and of course after a long period of due diligence, we are disappointed that we couldn’t reach an agreement to deliver that and proceed with the sale to Horizon Aero Group,” she said.
Hay added that the council understood the concerns that the announcement could cause, particularly among airport staff who had supported the sale process.
“We fully appreciate the concern this will cause, particularly for those employed at the airport who will have worked hard to support the sale process. As we move forward, we are committed to continued engagement with staff, operators, tenants and key stakeholders to discuss the future and reach a positive outcome for Gloucestershire Airport.”
The airport, located between Cheltenham and Gloucester, supports a range of aviation activities and businesses and is considered an important part of the county’s economic infrastructure.
Leader of Gloucester City Council, Jeremy Hilton, also expressed disappointment that the sale could not be completed.
“This news is clearly disappointing as the combination of a clear commitment to flying by Horizon, and the continued operation of aviation-based businesses, would have provided a strong future for the site,” he said.
Hilton acknowledged that opinions differ over how the airport site should be used in the future but emphasised the councils’ responsibility to take a careful and evidence-based approach.
“I fully recognise that people hold different views about the potential uses of the site, but our responsibility is to take a measured, evidence-based approach that leads to the right outcome for the long term.”
Both councils said they would continue working closely with airport operators, staff and tenants to provide reassurance while they explore alternative options for the site’s future. Further updates are expected as discussions continue.