New jobs as Cambridge Airport takes off

Cambridge Airport is taking off – and expects to create up to 100 new jobs over the next 12 months.

It’s gearing up to win new business during the Olympic Games this summer, offering round-the-clock flight slots and – unlike many airports – no increase in its fees during the event.

It’s already started to reintroduce charter flights from the airport – with direct flights so far to Verona and Jersey.

And looking ahead to next year, airport director Archie Garden has his sights set on the Cambridge business community - with plans to offer ‘city hopper’ services to and from places like Amsterdam, Dublin, Edinburgh and Frankfurt.

“We have a challenge because the businesses of Cambridge don’t use business aviation and I’m trying to figure out why,” he said.

Mr Garden said one local company has 20 executives driving to Manchester every week. “That’s 140 executive hours wasted in a car,” he said.

His message is that business aviation doesn’t have to cost the earth – prices start from around £500 a head for an hour’s flight to somewhere like Amsterdam or Edinburgh.

“Yes, you can go to the luxury end and have the champagne and caviar and wonderful seats,” he said.

“But I would say to the businesses of Cambridge that you really need to look and understand why you’re not using the utilitarian end of business aviation if you’re travelling a lot. Time is money – it’s important.”

As part of its expansion plans, the airport recently appointed a new fixed-base operator – ExecuJet – to take over the running of the former Marshall Business Aviation operations.

It plans to relocate its London operations to Cambridge by the end of the year and base some of its managed aircraft in the city.

“I believe there is good business here,” said ExecuJet general manager John Brutnell. “Cambridge is easily accessible and the airport still retains a low-stress environment.”