Thirteen bid for Exeter airport

Lorna Strickland

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Thirteen companies have bid to take over the UK's Exeter airport, where the incumbent operator is Alpha Retail

Spokesman Stephen Ayres told RavenFox.com: "We are interested in the future development of the airport and are asking bidders to give their proposals for the development of another passenger terminal." All but one of the bidders has submitted plans to purchase land around the airport for future development.

Alpha Retail is Exeter's incumbent travel retailer and Ayres confirmed that it is hoping to be able to grant space increases in the departures area. "We expanded Alpha's outlet last year and were planning to increase its space again. With the sale under way once more, we've decided to put these plans on hold. It will be up to the new owners how they want to redevelop the terminal's retail facilities."

The council will retain a share to protect its interests and to prohibit a re-sale at a profit.

The 13 bids will be evaluated over the next month, when a shortlist will be announced.  Each of the remaining bidders will be given individual access to detailed information about the airport's finances, contracts leases and statistical data. They will then be invited to submit final business plans and bids in September. The airport plans to announce its new owner by the end of the year.

Passenger figures at Exeter increased by 35% in 2005 compared with the previous year. Airlines serving Exeter airport include FlyBe, which is based at the airport and serves about 25 European destinations daily.