Coventry airport appeal gets earlier slot.
Planning review brought forward
Feb 7th, 2008--Coventry
A HIGH COURT battle which could determine Coventry Airport's future has been brought forward by three months.
Airport bosses are celebrating after the hearing, originally scheduled for October, was yesterday brought forward to the week beginning July 21.
A lengthy wait for the appeal against the government's refusal, last June, of planning permission for a new passenger terminal, has thrown the airport into turmoil.
Coventry airport owners want the terminal to double passenger numbers to two million a year.
But frustration over expansion plans has resulted in job losses, a reduction in passenger flights by Thomson, and a threat of further redundancies.
Now the High Court has found an earlier diary date long enough to deal with the complex hearing, expected to last five days. It is thought the judge many not make a final ruling until at least September.
Airport chief executive Chris Ophanou said the earlier slot for the hearing showed the importance of the case.
He added: "We want to put our argument forward as to why the decision of the secretaries of state was flawed and get on with building our business for the good of Coventry, Warwickshire and the region as a whole."