Airport Glitch Threatens Thomsonfly Launch

TEMPORARY passenger terminal buildings at Coventry Airport may have to be pulled down, casting doubt on the launch of Thomsonfly.com.

A report by Warwick District Council found temporary terminal space built to handle Thomson’s low-cost airline passengers was too big and breached planning controls. It also found work done to the runway was carried out without permission.

Council chiefs are meeting this week to decide what to do, but a spokesman confirmed some of the building could be demolished.

Such a move would seriously hamper Thomsonfly’s planned launch from the airport on March 30. Thomson hopes 500,000 passengers will pass through Coventry this summer. The temporary terminal building was erected to handle passengers until a permanent structure can be built.

A council spokesman said: “Our officers have investigated the airport and found there are a number of areas where planning controls have been breached. For example, a turning circle has been added to the runway area without permission.”

A spokesman for Thomsonfly said: “We are aware of the issues and we have every confidence Coventry Airport will be able to settle them with the council. As far as we are concerned, we will be launching on March 30.”