Manchester Airport Group’s Bournemouth Airport is looking to its colleagues in Manchester as it considers plans to ensure it is “Premier League ready” and able to cope with next seasons influx of global football superstars, their accompanying wives and girlfriends and football fans representing some of the richest clubs.
Following the historic promotion of A.F.C Bournemouth to the English Premier League, bosses at the airport, which currently serves around 811,000 passengers per year, are taking advice from Manchester and East Midlands airports who are well-versed in dealing with the often unique requirements that come with football fliers.
Manchester Airport regularly sees the city’s two rival teams and their international opposition come through its doors. Having regained Premier League status for the 2013/14 season, East Midlands Airport has enjoyed welcoming Leicester City and their opposition into the airport.
Some of the ideas currently being considered include:
- A dedicated lounge for friends and families of the team
- Creating a “fast-track” processing lane at arrivals for football kit
- Working with Food & Beverage partners on a new cocktail range plus the potential of spa
and manicure units with Retail clients - Attractive rates for football-related private jets on match days
The airport has also received a number of requests from fans to re-name the terminal in honour of A.F.C. Bournemouth manager, Eddie Howe, who successfully guided The Cherries into the Premier League for the first time in the clubs history.
Paul Knight, General Manager of Bournemouth Airport said:
“At this stage, we are still celebrating the fantastic achievement of The Cherries, but over the summer we will be liaising with our colleagues at Manchester and East Midlands airports to ensure we are Premier League ready.
“Clearly the promotion is a massive boost for the town and everyone is very proud of Eddie and the players achievement.
“We are keen to play the best role we can in ensuring that their first season in the Premier League is as successful as possible and choosing to fly to away games as opposed to making long journeys by road seems a smart move in any coaching manual.
“You never know, this time next year we could also be talking about our European schedule!”
Bournemouth flies to a wealth of destinations including Manchester, Amsterdam, Alicante, Paris, Tenerife and Dublin.
Bournemouth, Manchester and East Midlands airports are owned by the largest UK-owed airport operator, Manchester Airports Group.
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