Press Release

20 June 2023

Investment in Daedalus will be a gamechanger

A revised package of investment at Solent Airport, to ensure its continued safe operation and grow its competitive position, was approved yesterday, 19 June, following a special meeting of the Council’s Executive.

Spearheaded by the long-awaited Aeronautical Ground Lighting (AGL), the improvements programme has been increased from around £4.7M originally approved in 2022 by circa £800,000 to include new airport fuel assets and almost £400,000 for safety improvements to the Visual Control Room at the Control Tower required by the Civil Aviation Authority.

Cllr Seán Woodward, Executive Leader of Fareham Borough Council, said “I am delighted to see this significant package of investment in Solent Airport move forward. The AGL is a gamechanger for the airport’s customers and will strengthen its role at the heart of Fareham’s economy, continuing to attract highly skilled new jobs into the Borough.”

The installation of Aeronautical Ground Lighting (AGL) at Solent Airport is a key objective of the Council’s Vision for Daedalus. AGL, in conjunction with the Performance Based Navigation instrument-based approach procedure also being developed, will provide certainty that aircraft will always be able to land as planned, despite poor weather or after dark. It will increase airport movements, improve the airport’s revenue position and may also attract new tenants to the airport whose operations rely on this level of certainty. The facility will be open for use in early 2024 and the airport will extend its opening hours to 09.00 – 18.00 throughout the year rather than having to close much earlier in the winter months due to poor light.

Other investments proposed are improvements to the taxiways and hangars.

ENDS