Regional & City Airports reports strong passenger growth

Image courtesy Regional & City Airports 

The growth, up from approximately 1.98 million passengers the previous year, reflects continued investment in airline partnerships, route development and infrastructure. RCA owns and operates Bournemouth Airport, Exeter Airport and Norwich Airport. It also operates XLR Executive Jet Centres at Birmingham, Bournemouth, Exeter and Liverpool, supporting demand for business and private aviation services.

All three airports delivered positive growth over the period. Bournemouth recorded a 26% increase in passengers to 1.39 million and a 21% rise in cargo volumes in its strongest year on record. Exeter saw a 32% rise to 582,000 passengers and Norwich reporting continued steady growth, up 5% to 453,000. 

The performance was driven by a combination of new routes, increased capacity and strong demand for regional flying, together with the continued success of key airline partners including Jet2, Ryanair, TUI and KLM.

Across its portfolio, RCA’s airports contribute around £438 million in Gross Value Added to their local economies each year and support around 6,370 local jobs. 

At Bournemouth Airport, the first full year of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays operations was a major contributor to growth. Significant investment in passenger facilities, including a new arrivals hall and upgraded baggage systems, has supported the airport’s rapid expansion. Its Cargo First division meanwhile, buoyed by further investment in new facilities, also saw a record year, handling 37,042 tonnes of cargo, up 21%, including a 20% increase in exports.

Exeter Airport’s growth was underpinned by the successful launch of KLM’s daily Amsterdam service, providing global connectivity to more than 160 destinations, alongside TUI’s increased presence and the return of the Manchester route with Loganair. 

At Norwich Airport, growth was supported by Ryanair’s continued expansion, steady demand across KLM and TUI services and the airport’s strategic role serving the offshore energy sector, with increased helicopter activity over the year. 

Andrew Bell (above), Chief Executive of Regional & City Airports, said: “Twenty twenty-five/twenty-six has been a strong year for RCA, with all three of our airports delivering growth and Bournemouth achieving a record-breaking performance. This reflects the strength of our airline partnerships, the continued demand for regional connectivity, and the benefits of our ongoing investment.

“While the broader aviation market continues to navigate a complex operating environment, including ongoing geopolitical tensions, demand for air travel from the regions remains resilient. We continue to monitor external factors closely but our focus remains on supporting our airline partners, investing in our infrastructure, and delivering a high-quality customer experience.

“The performance over the past year underlines the important role regional airports play in connecting communities and driving economic growth.”