On 12 February the Aviation Minister, Paul Maynard, launched the Airfield Development Fund
This new fund will increase support for airfield owners, operators, local councils and associated businesses.
Although airfields are an integral part of the £3bn general aviation sector and are considered to underpin British aviation as a whole, many have often struggled with business development and financial sustainability.
This new funding aims to ensure airfield businesses receive access to advisors, offering help on a range of legal and business-related topics to support their future development.
This, for instance, could include advice on science and engineering training, developing electric aircraft and preserving heritage aircraft.
Applicants are encouraged to apply for advice from the £2m fund this Spring by demonstrating how it could help them protect or expand their business.
Some of the initiatives covered by the fund are proposed developments, protecting airfields, expanding training facilities, and commercial opportunities. Applicants will have four weeks to apply.
Launching the fund Paul Maynard said: ‘The UK government recognises the enormous contribution smaller airfields make to the UK economy, and to the people they serve.
‘The launch of this fund demonstrates the Government’s commitment to supporting the General Aviation industry?as part of a wider pledge to level up the country?and aims to make the UK a world leader in general aviation. This support will help airfields prosper, creating and securing more jobs.’
Airfields eligible to apply for advice through the fund can be licensed (EASA, national regulations, GA national) or unlicensed, and must be handling less than 200,000 terminal passengers per year.
