11 August 2025
Solent Airport will have a new operator from April next year. It is a new company, EGHF Ltd, led by Matt Wilkins who is currently the manager and director of Old Buckenham Airfield in Norfolk.
The existing operator, Regional & City Airports (RCA), part of the Rigby Group, recently partnered with investment company ICG to concentrate on three airports at Bournemouth, Exeter and Norwich. Solent Airport does not feature in that deal.
Fareham Borough Council is the owner of Solent Airport, which used to be a navy base known as HMS Daedalus. The council confirmed this morning that EGHF Ltd had been awarded a contract as the new operator.
The council said in a statement that Matt Wilkins, Director of EGHF, has successfully operated Old Buckenham Licensed Airfield in Norfolk since 2011, which has a similar heritage to Solent Airport Daedalus, both serving as bases during the Second World War.
Preparations are now underway for the handover to EGHF, continued the council’s statement. Its initial five-year contract will take effect from 1 April 2026, and it is anticipated will significantly improve the revenue position of the airport. There are options for the Council to extend the contract.
The tower at Solent Airport. Photo: Solent Airport
In addition, EGHF will work closely with the Council over the first year to assess the financial and operational feasibility of a range of potential future options. These include initiatives to further increase revenue, attract new tenants, support innovation, reduce the airport’s environmental impact and expand the number and variety of events held at this site, including non-aviation events.
Cllr Simon Martin, Executive Leader of Fareham Borough Council, said, “I am delighted to welcome EGHF Ltd as the new operator for Solent Airport and have no doubt that its extensive experience in the field will reassure the existing team at the airport, and our tenants, of the Council’s commitment to Daedalus. I very much look forward to seeing how plans unfold in the coming months.”
Matt Wilkins, Director of EGHF, added, “I’m extremely grateful to Fareham Borough Council for the opportunity to lead Solent Airport – one of the UK’s most admired centres of general aviation.
“I’m greatly looking forward to working with the existing team at the airport to ensure that it is best equipped to not only preserve and enhance that well-deserved admiration, but also navigate further into the future of flight as technology advances.”
