Kemble has changed its name to Cotswold Airport in a bid to appeal to a wider audience.
The site was an active RAF base during the Second World War and has since evolved into one of the country’s premier privately-owned Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) licenced airports.
Kemble is a famous name in aviation circles and the popular Kemble Airshow draws tens of thousands of visitors each year.
However, the airport’s owner, Ronan Harvey, and directors have decided to rebrand the airport and give it the Cotswold name, which is famous globally, to appeal to a wider client/user base.
It is hoped the move, which is part of an ambitious investment programme to further enhance and improve facilities, will create new and dynamic opportunities for both ground-based business and aviation.
In addition, increased business at Cotswold Airport will undoubtedly give the local economy and regional firms a boost.
Mr Harvey said: “The Cotswolds are famous the world over and, as we are based in the heart of this fantastic region, we decided that it made good commercial sense to use the name.
“There is so much history and tradition attached to the word Kemble and we are committed to preserving that too.
“Kemble is already known the world over in aviation circles, but by calling ourselves Cotswold Airport, we hope to increase awareness of our location and the facilities we offer to the wider global public, tourist and businesses sectors.
“These are exciting times for Cotswold Airport with many new projects and developments taking place.
“We are fully licenced to handle all types of general aviation, including personal jets.
“And, as so many famous people and high-powered business folk have connections or bases in the Cotswolds, the airport is an ideal and convenient transport hub for them.”
The rebranding announcement comes just weeks after Cotswold Airport won a landmark legal battle against two councils, who wanted to control and restrict flying to a minimum.
A decision, in the High Court in London, to uphold the granting of a Certificate of Lawfulness (CLEUD) for General Aviation at Cotswold Airport, was hailed by the site’s directors as a victory for aviation.
A judge said that it may continue to operate without any stringent restrictions.
The move safeguarded the future of hundreds of jobs at the former military airbase.
It also paved the way for the airport, which straddles the Gloucestershire/Wiltshire border, to continue its ambitious investment programme, and major international names such as Gulf and Lufthansa have already signed major deals with the airport.
Gulf, which has only recently expanded its traditional ground-based interests into aviation, has made Cotswold Airport its first major customer of Avgas and jet fuel in the South West, and, as part of their commitment to the project, has upgraded fuel storage and bowser facilities across the site.
Meanwhile, Lufthansa is planning to bring its new technical training school to the site.
A ‘rotors running’ refuelling service is now available for helicopters, making the process faster and more efficient, and pilots refuelling with Avgas are able to take advantage of service station-style credit card payment system directly at the bowser.
In addition to the first class refuelling system, Cotswold Airport has undertaken a number of improvements to other facilities in recent months, including new hangars and a newly laid grass runway, which has been extended by 100m to 550m in length.
Airport estates director Lee Paul said: “We are fully equipped to provide a highly efficient and professional service, which will put Cotswold Airport at the forefront of general aviation.
“We are committed to maintaining and further developing our fantastic relationship with existing clients and the local community.
“However, at the same time, we are hoping the rebranding will open things up to a much wider global audience, which as well as being good for ourselves, will have extremely positive knock-on effects for the region as a whole.”
Fellow director Suzannah Harvey said: “These really are exciting times here and we are keen to maintain and enhance our great relationship with the surrounding community.
“With that in mind, it is essential to get across the point and reassure everyone that, although we obviously have the airport tag, Cotswold Airport is not about to start operating charter flights.
“We are not in that position and we don’t want people to start getting the wrong idea.
“Our aim is to provide a first class facility for general aviation and ground-based businesses, which will create jobs, boost the local economy and tourism and be the pride of all those who use and visit Cotswold Airport, as well as the local community.”
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BACKGROUND BRIEF
Royal Air Force Kemble opened in 1938 as part of the RAF’s ‘expansion plan’, which concentrated on training and maintenance bases.
It has been used for aviation activities ever since and was home to the world-famous Red Arrows display team during the 1980s, who were a regular sight in the skies above the south Cotswolds, practicing up to four times a day.
The airport’s current owner, Ronan Harvey, operated the airfield on behalf of the Ministry of Defence for five years, before purchasing it outright in 2001.
His aim was to maintain the site’s use as an active airfield and safeguard its rich heritage, while at the same time encouraging both local and international businesses to base themselves at Kemble – a move which has created hundreds of jobs in the local community,
Today, the site, which is known as Cotswold Airport and is licenced by the Civil Aviation Authority, is home to dozens of businesses, flying clubs and a thriving restaurant.
The airport stages a host of events, including the hugely popular annual Kemble Airshow, Vintage Flying Weekend, Race for Life, and Mobility Show – the biggest UK show devoted to mobility for the disabled.
In addition, the airport has very strong ties with the local community, offering a flying scholarship scheme to young pilots, engineers and would-be traffic controllers.
The airport also raises thousands of pounds for charities and worthy causes, including the RAF Benevolent Fund.