The company planning to buy Gloucestershire Airport has been unveiled.
Horizon Aero Group - a joint endeavour between Vayu Aviation Services Ltd (º£½ÇÊÓƵ) and Vensa Infrastructure Ltd (India) - is the prospective buyer for the Staverton-based transport hub.
With years of expertise in global aviation operations and infrastructure development, Horizon has a background in revitalising regional airports through innovation, sustainability and community-led expansion.
As the future owner, the firm's key goals would include creating jobs and enhancing local workforce skills, reinforcing the airport's role as a community and economic asset, modernising infrastructure with a focus on safety, efficiency, and digital innovation, and aligning with the º£½ÇÊÓƵ's net zero targets.
Horizon's ambitious blueprint to refurbish the airport and invigorate the local economy by expanding the site's business parks won over the current owners, Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucester City Council.
The airport, which sprawls across a 375-acre site, is home to two thriving business parks and has planning permission for an additional 30,000 square metres of business space.
Councillor Rowena Hay, leader of Cheltenham Borough Council and acting as a shareholder, had the authority to make the final call on the preferred bidder for the airport. Gloucester city councillors gave their nod for the sale of the airport to new proprietors in a full council meeting held on June 26.
Both councils decided to sell the airport to ensure its future, acknowledging the need for significant investment to sustain operations and encourage expansion, reports .
Councillor Hay said: "The airport is a strategic asset for Gloucestershire. We're encouraged by Horizon's community-first and sustainability-focused approach. We want to reassure the public that any final deal will uphold the long-term aviation future of the airport and deliver clear benefits to the wider region."
Gloucester City Council's leader Jeremy Hilton said: "We were impressed by Horizon's enthusiasm for the airport and their clear recognition of its potential to play an important role in the economic growth of the region.
"They share our vision of modernisation and building on it as a place to do business, in turn bringing huge benefits to the area."
Jason Ivey, managing director of Gloucestershire Airport, said he was "really impressed" following interactions with the Horizon Aero Group during the sale process.
"This is clearly a company that has the energy and a focussed vision for the future of Gloucestershire Airport," he said.
"My team and I are excited to work alongside Horizon during the due diligence phase to assist the airport in transitioning to new ownership."
Ramdev Polkampalli, chairman of Horizon Aero Group, said the airport "holds enormous promise", and the company was "committed to preserving its heritage while investing in its future".
Soma Pemmireddy, chief executive of Horizon Aero Group, added: "Our priority is to build strong local relationships, maintain seamless operations, and begin laying the groundwork for future investment. We are excited to help unlock the airport's full potential while aligning with the goals of the community and region."
