1 August 2024
UPDATED Swansea Council has appointed a new operator of Swansea Airport, the Swansea Airport Stakeholders’ Alliance (SASA).
The change comes after years of issues at the airport. Swansea Council is the landlord of Swansea Airport and has for many years leased the operating rights to an outside contractor.
“The leaseholder has agreed to relinquish its lease,” said a statement from the council. “A new leaseholder has agreed to take on the Fairwood Common facility on a temporary basis.”
Swansea Airport was previously RAF Fairwood Common, built in 1941, mothballed after WWII, then reopened as Swansea Airport in 1957.
The council insists the airport will continue to operate. The Alliance, made up of individuals and businesses with interests at the airport, has said it has long terms plans to improve the airport.
Council leader Rob Stewart said, “Our successful talks in this complex matter mean that we’re now in a position to install a temporary new leaseholder – the Swansea Airport Stakeholders’ Alliance. Its members are eager to make a success of the airport.”
Council joint deputy leader David Hopkins added, “We’ll start to look for a long-term solution through a competitive tender process. The Alliance will have the opportunity, with others, to bid in that process. There’ll be opportunities for future investment in Swansea Airport.”
UPDATE
Bob Oliver of the Swansea Airport Stakeholders’ Alliance told FLYER, “In the first year, we want to keep the airport running, support and nurture the businesses that are already there, talk to potential new business partners, and to engage with the local communities and local stakeholders and live up to what the council wants us to do, which is to keep the airport open to make sure that it is operated safely and that it begins to fulfill its potential.
“We intend to hit the ground running very, very fast.”
FLYER understands the change will happen on 5 September 2024 when the existing leaseholder, Roy Thomas, will hand over the site to SASA.
A team of contractors brought in by Mr Thomas 18 months ago, when it became clear Swansea Council was considering terminating his lease, posted on Facebook what they have achieved recently:
