Shoreham airport is due to pass into private ownership for the first time in its history on April 1.

The airport, one of Britain's oldest, has been sold to property specialists The Erinaceous Group on a 150-year lease.

The sale marks a milestone in the airport's long and illustrious history and has been called the "end of an era" by its current manager.

Until now, the airport has been jointly owned and run by Brighton and Hove City Council and Worthing Borough Council.

It is the only airport in the country to still be publicly owned and run and the sale has been driven by the need for extra investment.

Manager John Haffenden said: "It is difficult for local authorities to run an airport like this. They were never set up to run commercial businesses which is effectively what the airport is.

"The end of an era is a very appropriate way to describe the situation."

Extra flights to fashionable European destinations such as Paris, Amsterdam and Edinburgh are said to be one of a number of developments Erinaceous is exploring.

If the proposals, which are largely linked to an expansion plan at the airport, get the go-ahead it could lead to more jobs being created.

Neil Bellis, chief executive of Erinaceous said he was encouraged by opportunities at Shoreham Airport.

He said he wanted to provide facilities that would "allow for economic regeneration of both the airport and the local area".

Mr Haffenden said: "The company has said it plans to do a number of things, including safeguarding jobs at the airport and making sure our beautiful terminal stays in place. It is a good news story for us."

The sale comes at a crucial point in the airport's history.

Controversial expansion plans have already been widely discussed by the airport's current management. But the proposals for runway extension to enable small jets to take off and land have been met with local opposition.

Other proposals the company has include the building of a dedicated train station at the airport and substantial business development to the south of the runway.

A visitor centre, an aviation academy and more leisure services were also presented to the two councils as potential business opportunities by Erinaceous.

Worthing councillor Reg Green, said: "The airport has huge potential to help meet everyone's aspirations for creating jobs and improving transport.

"The proposal levers in a multimillion private sector investment to maintain the airport as an asset for the local economy."

Thursday, March 9, 2006