An airport that has been losing money is back on the market after a private sale fell through.
Gloucestershire Airport, in Staverton, has been listed for sale for £25 million by its joint owners Gloucester City Council and Cheltenham Borough Council.
Horizon Aero Group had been negotiating to purchase the hub, which sits on a 350-acre site and sees 66,000 aircraft a year, but the deal collapsed in March.
The airport is thought to have experienced an unaudited loss of £2.1 million in the financial year, including loan interest and depreciation, according to data presented to councillors.
However, the overall situation is said to have improved over the last three years, reports BBC News.
For 2024, operational losses were reported to be £1,333,041, not including loans, depreciation and non-monetary adjustments.
This fell to £738,030 in 2025 and £489,979 in 2026.
Gloucestershire Airport, located in Staverton, has been listed for sale for £25million
The hub, which sits on a 350-acre site and sees 66,000 aircrafts a year, was initially going to be purchased by Horizon Aero Group but the deal fell through
Estate agent Savills has been jointly appointed to handle the sale and said, ‘offers are invited for the aviation hub’.
Gloucestershire Airport is in a prime location between Cheltenham and Gloucester and has two runways.
The airport comes with planning consent for an extra 320,000 square feet of business space.
The site already has two business parks that spread across 700,000 square feet.
The local authorities are ‘hopeful’ of a sale and say there has already been ‘considerable interest’ from potential buyers.
Councillor Rowena Hay, leader of Cheltenham Borough Council, said: ‘We are hopeful this renewed sale process will attract the right partner for the airport’s future, which remains our key priority.
‘We will work with partners and stakeholders to update as the new sale process proceeds.’
Councillor Jeremy Hilton, leader of Gloucester City Council, added: ‘Gloucestershire Airport is a vital economic and aviation asset for our county and region and we must do our best for it.
The airport is thought to have experienced an unaudited loss of 2.1million in the financial year
‘In recent weeks there has been considerable interest from potential investors in the airport and now is the right time to put the airport back on the market.
‘This next phase gives us the opportunity to build on what we have learned and engage with investors who share our vision for growth and continued aviation at Staverton.’
The airport was built in 1930 and was ranked as the UK’s busiest airport for general aviation in 2023.
It received nearly £10 million in capital investment between 2021 and 2023 to help fund upgrades to the runway and related infrastructure.
Jason Ivey, managing director at Gloucestershire Airport, said: ‘To lead such a diverse and vibrant business such as Gloucestershire Airport is an absolute privilege.
‘Since taking over as the Accountable Manager in July 2023, I have been amazed at the positive team spirit and local support from our based operators and customers.
‘Although both Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucester City Council have been incredibly supportive of the airport over the years, we now enter the next chapter of Gloucestershire Airport’s story and I can’t wait for the business to fully realise its true potential with the right investor.’
Savills described the opportunity as ‘extremely rare’ and said the site has ‘huge potential’.
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