Peel L&P eyes further expansion of City Airport

Developer Peel L&P has outlined plans to further develop the historic City Airport in Salford, including extensions to the existing heliport and refurbishment pilot and passenger lounges.

The plans would represent the next stage of investment by Peel into the 90-year-old airport, which was Greater Manchester’s first, after it spent £1m over the course of 2019 expanding the hangar at the airport and other improvements.

Last year, Peel tripled the size of the hangar to 45,000 sq ft. The building was once a factory that manufactured cheque books in Trafford Park, and stood on the Trafford Park Metrolink line. Peel dismantled and re-purposed it to its current use.

The heliport, previously known as Barton Aerodrome, hosts 3,000 take-offs and landings each year. Peel plans to invest significantly more than £1m in the airport in future, a spokesperson said, but the plans are at an early stage and no application has been submitted to build any additional buildings.

Improvement works to lounges on the site are set to be detailed in the coming months.

The 125,000 sq ft airport sits on a 110-acre site in Eccles, with 41,000 sq ft taken up by the heliport. The total built space on the site, including commercial assets, stands at 166,00 sq ft.

City Airport is Manchester’s first and longest operating airport and celebrates its 90^th anniversary this month.

Peel owns and operates the airport. Nick Duriez, City Airport director, said: “The Heliport really sets us apart from Manchester Airport and there is huge potential for growth. To reach its full potential, we have a vision to refurbish the pilot and passenger lounge facilities within the main building as well as improve fuel facilities and helicopter and parking areas.

“Since launching the Runway 26 café five years ago as well as investing in an outdoor play area, it has enabled us to attract visitors to a number of public events we host throughout the year.”