Thirsk aviation consultant acquires 108-year-old Brighton airport with six-figure investment

A regional aviation company has acquired Brighton City Airport with the backing of a six-figure-funding package from HSBC UK.

Cyrrus, established in 2007 in Thirsk, is a global aviation consultancy which provides aviation support services to both UK and global airports.

With HSBC UK funding, the business has purchased a 25-year lease on the airfield and the associated aviation operations of Brighton City Airport (formerly known as Shoreham).

The historic aviation facility is said to be the world’s oldest commercial airport and serves private flying, flight training and business and executive aircraft. Cyrrus is now aiming to attract more private and executive flyers to the airport with its business growth plans.

Rob Cooke, managing director of Cyrrus, said: “Acquiring Brighton City Airport is a great opportunity to develop and improve a much-loved, local operational base for private and executive flight operations, as well as developing a go-to destination for leisure fliers.

“With HSBC UK’s backing and guidance, we’ve been able to achieve our ambition of owning and operating an airport, as well as contributing to the local and regional economy.”

Cyrrus has taken on a new management team, too. In the near future, it will be introducing satellite-based approach procedures to aid landing in low-visibility conditions.

The business also plans to enhance the airport’s visitor offering, including improvements to facilities in the airport’s 1930s art deco terminal building.

Cyrrus anticipates it will increase aircraft movements - compared to 2018 - by around 12 per cent, and create opportunities for new jobs and increase revenue by five to 10 per cent in the next year.

Stephen Smith, HSBC UK’s business banking relationship director, added: “We’ve had a great relationship with Cyrrus for over 10 years so when the opportunity arose for the business to acquire such a historic airport we were delighted to support Rob.”

Brighton City Airport is the world’s oldest purpose-built airport, having officially opened for business in June 1911. The airport currently handles around 50,000 aircraft movements each year, making it one of the busiest general aviation airports in the UK.

It has its own air traffic control facility and is equipped with runway and taxiway lighting for after-dark operations within licensed hours.

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