Lockdown and the temporary shutdown of the travel industry during the pandemic meant that many aviation staff – from pilots and cabin crew to airport security – lost their jobs. Now that social restrictions have been lifted and holidaymakers quickly return to air travel, airports across the country have been facing staff shortages and have not been able to recruit quickly enough to service the demand, leading to many flight cancellations.

Exeter airport, however, has been thriving and has bounced back for the holiday season. Following the administration of its main airline Flybe earlier this year, the airport quickly recovered from the unannounced challenges and is now a hub for several new airlines including Emerald, Ryanair and TUI.

Since all this incredible progress, Exeter airport plans further expansion including international flight connections and a new Logistics Park, which is set to deliver many new employment opportunities. Also, Exeter College and Devon council have started making significant investments into an on-site aviation training academy to help the airport regain staff and service the rapidly growing travel demand. On top of this great news, our strategically placed Hampton by Hilton hotel is at the centre of the action.

Transatlantic routes now open

One of the first substantial developments to take place at Exeter airport is its new routes to Dublin (from April 2022) and Belfast (from May 2022) via Emerald Airlines, which is owned by Aer Lingus. Dublin now services connecting business and leisure flights to Canada and 6 USA destinations, including New York, Chicago and Washington. This is excellent news for Devon’s local airport as it is now able to offer significant contingencies for travellers affected by recent flight delays across other UK airports, as well as giving plenty of choice and convenience to those looking to book their next trip without the need to travel to a London airport.

“We’re thrilled to see the start of flights from Exeter to North America via Dublin. They open up a range of transatlantic destinations and regional air travel to Ireland for leisure and business passengers.”

Stephen Wiltshire, Exeter Airport Managing Director

This route expansion is good news not only for those travelling abroad but also for inbound tourism. Exeter airport has reported an increase in bookings from travellers in Ireland and North America to visit Devon and England’s South West coast, so the positive impact certainly goes both ways and gives the UK a great opportunity to enjoy post-pandemic economic recovery.

The airport has also had a successful start to the holiday season with TUI’s (now the airport’s largest operator) summer programme, as well as having undergone a recruitment drive to service demand across the peak period. At the start of May, bookings had already reached pre-pandemic levels, and some even surpassed them. The addition of the new airlines has played a significant part in the airport’s recovery with incredible uplifts reported year on year to April 2022.

Considering how hard the travel industry was hit by the pandemic, Exeter airport has made substantial progress in just one year, and this is set to continue through the remainder of 2022 and beyond.

Logistics Park expansion to aid economic growth

A large-scale industrial development will soon be introduced to the Hilton’s doorstep. It has been designed to deliver additional spaces for various types of businesses, with the potential of £105m to be dedicated towards regional economic recovery.

A deal for the site was signed earlier this year between the developer and landowner. With the green light granted, the construction of the 77-acre site can begin.

The park completed its first phase in 2019, which involved an Amazon distribution unit and over 400 electric charging points. Earlier this year, phase two introduced a parcel distribution centre, office spaces, loading bays, and additional charging points, with the “infrastructure in place to become fully electric in the future.”, as pledged by the developer Stoford.

“This is a sustainable scheme that has already attracted high calibre, international occupiers. It has all of the attributes to become the South West’s leading distribution hub, south of Bristol.”

Dan Gallagher, Joint Managing Director at Stoford

Exeter Hilton at the heart of the expansion

As footfall throughout the airport rises with the return of air travel and new businesses occupy the expanded Logistics Park, the hotel will service the growing numbers in need of an affordable overnight stay, a place to grab a convenient meal, or make use of workstations and conference spaces.  

As will all our sites, the Exeter location for this Hilton hotel was strategically selected to be able to take advantage of the up-and-coming, lucrative setting. With the airport’s excellent progress in the last year and further advancements in the pipeline, the hotel is now perfectly placed to take advantage of the growth plans around the area, giving both consumers and investors an exciting future to look forward to.

How to invest in high-profile UK hotels

The Hampton by Hilton Exeter airport is part of our established hotel portfolio at Propiteer Capital. Our variety of tactically placed nationwide hotels offer sophisticated and high-net-worth investors the opportunity to benefit from in-demand, profitable assets.

With simple investment models designed to easily grow your money, our Branded Hotels bond offers fixed-rate returns of up to 7% pa, with flexible payment options and a minimum term of just 24 months, with all investments being safeguarded and asset-backed.

If you’d like to invest in the development and future trading of branded hotels like the Hampton by Hilton Exeter Airport, get in touch with our friendly team on info@propiteercapitalplc.com or 01376 619 000, or visit our website to find out more about our Branded Hotels investment bond.

Rates are accurate at the date of publishing. For our latest rates, please visit our homepage.

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