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Coventry Airport queues are the shortest

7th April 2008

Coventry Airport has shortest queues

When it comes to getting from A to B fastest, Coventry Airport is a clear winner. Coventry has been reported as the regional airport with the shortest waiting times at security and passport control, according to an independent passenger poll on UK airport delays.

The online poll, managed by holiday firm Travel Counsellors, shows that passengers travelling through Coventry Airport over the past two months had reported a wait of less than two minutes to clear security and didn’t have to wait at all to get through immigration on their return. Passengers at Manchester Airport faced the longest queues in the country, placing the airport in the lowest position of 21st with a reported average delay of 23 minutes at security and a whopping 44 minutes at passport control.

Birmingham International was placed second to last in the poll, in 20th place, having fallen from 15th place last October. Passengers at Birmingham wait a reported average of 40 minutes to clear security.

London City Airport had the overall shortest passenger waiting times, followed in the regions by Coventry and Bristol who were just ahead of Newcastle, Southampton, Bournemouth and Prestwick.

Travel Counsellors set up the website - www.ukairportdelays.co.uk - to enable travellers to report their experiences. Travel Counsellors is leading the campaign for immediate improvements to the way UK airports are operated, calling on industry bodies to acknowledge the fact that current delays, created by poor processes and insufficient staff numbers, are unacceptable.

“We are delighted that our passengers acknowledge and appreciate the fast procedures we have in place at Coventry,” said Chris Orphanou, Coventry Airport’s CEO. “Whilst safety and security are absolutely paramount at airports, we understand passengers’ frustrations at having to queue before boarding their flight and even more so at being delayed at immigration on their return to the UK. We are very pleased that passengers have no such complaints with Coventry Airport.”

The current terminal facilities at Coventry are an interim arrangement. Coventry Airport was bitterly disappointed last summer when its application to build a new, permanent, passenger terminal to accommodate up to two million passengers a year, was rejected. However, the Airport’s legal team challenged the negative decision and a High Court hearing regarding the building of a the new terminal will now take place the week commencing 21st July, scheduled to take five days.

- Ends -

Note to Editors:

• Coventry Airport was first opened in 1936 and recommenced passenger operations in March 2004. The freehold is owned by Coventry City Council. Both Warwick District Council and Coventry City Council backed the application to permit the airport to fly two million passengers per annum.

• Coventry Airport is wholly owned by Howard Holdings plc

Howard Holdings plc

• In less than 30 years, Howard Holdings plc has become one of Europe’s most respected and successful developers, combining imagination and advanced construction technology with some of the most experienced professionals to shape distinctive landscapes across the Continent.

• From residential to retail, office to leisure, airports to hotels, Howard Holdings plc has built a reputation for ambition, trust, passion, diversity and delivering visionary developments which influence the way people live, work and relax.

• Currently €4 billion (Euro) of investments and developments in hand throughout Europe, many in partnership with local, regional and national authorities, partner developers, individuals and institutional investors.

• A dynamic board, lead by industry specialists Greg Coughlan. Brendan Murtagh, Brian Madden and Stephen Webster, has combined entrepreneurial zeal with prudent financial management to create a powerful market force.

Sue Lindsay Helen Stevens

Marketing & PR Manager Emerald Media

Coventry Airport T. 01962 736600

T: 02476 308681 helen@emeraldmedia.co.uk

M: 07904 639101

slindsay@coventryairport.co.uk

Media Enquiries Contact: Sue Lindsay +44 (0) 2476 308681

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