The Airport Operator | Winter 2025
15 Dec 2025
Bournemouth Airport has become one of the fastest growing medium size airports in Europe following Jet2’s decision to open a new base there.
Andrew Bell, Chief Executive of Regional & City Airports (which also includes Exeter and Norwich airports) told The Airport Operator that he expects the group’s passenger numbers this year to be up by 23% compared to 2024.
Speaking three months after Regional & City was acquired by the FTSE 100 fund manager, ICG, which has $123bn of assets under management and an active infrastructure strategy within that, Bell said “they are a new owner with some significant substance and experience of asset management and infrastructure particularly”.
Asked about his experience of ICG so far, Bell said “Since acquisition we have been accelerating all the workstreams that we were focussed on already. The underlying business plan for the group remains the same, focussing on maximising our passenger activity, our cargo activity and our real estate businesses. In that sense it is business as usual. It is the same leadership team, the same approach to operating the business, but essentially with refreshed, renewed momentum and a particular increase in focus on ESG and sustainability. We have the opportunity now to do more in those areas with the backing of ICG and their experience in ESG and sustainability initiatives”.
