Airport boss eyes new path

Steve Wiltshire has taken over as director of operations of Wolverhampton Airport at Bobbington. Mr Wiltshire, who runs Blackpool International Airport, said while it was too early to reveal plans for the airport's future, talks about its direction were under way.

He told the Express & Star: "We are not in a position to release any information regarding the scaled-down plans for Wolverhampton Airport at the moment as we are still in the early planning stages.

"We do not have an exact timescale at the moment but what I can say is that we are still gearing towards general aviation and executive aviation. We are currently trying to get things in order before we go public with our proposals," he added.

Mr Wiltshire is taking over the reigns at a crucial time. It is only four months since grand multi-million pound expansion plans, which were to see passenger aeroplanes fly from Bobbington and sparked huge controversy, were finally dropped after bosses decided they were not viable.

They have decided instead to focus on their business operation but are keeping tight-lipped about the exact nature of their proposals.

Mr Wiltshire began carving out a career in aviation as a teenager when he became an apprentice at British Aerospace. A number of roles in engineering and air traffic ensued before he climbed the ladder at Bristol Airport, becoming operations director.

The 32-year-old will divide his time between his home in Lytham St Anne's and Wolverhampton while he oversees activity at both airports. He succeeds Gary Hall, who had been at the helm for less than two years and left to manage Coventry Transport Museum.

A consultation by South Staffordshire District Council has just been completed about what residents want to see happen at the airport in the next few years.

By Becky Sharpe