Exeter Airport: Passenger numbers set to rise above 1m

Devon County Council is selling off its 75% stake in the airport.

Five bids have now been shortlisted and it is understood it includes the Macquarie Consortium which has a half share in Bristol International Airport.

Devon County Council decided last year to sell most of its shares in the airport because it cannot afford the investment needed to develop it.

Exeter-based construction firm Rok, Cardiff Airport owner TBI, and a consortium led by Wolverhampton Business Airport operator City Hopper, are also believed to be in the running for the expanding airport.

The number of people flying from Exeter Airport has doubled in the last year.

The introduction of daily services to Spain, Scotland, Portugal and Ireland has seen another 350,000 passengers use the airport.

More new services will see numbers rise above a million in the coming year.

The successful applicant will be expected to build a £10m terminal, a new parking apron and additional car parks.