Bosses at Gloucestershire Airport, Staverton have welcomed the news from Gloucestershire’s Local Enterprise Partnership - GFirst LEP - that a grant of £550k has been secured as part of the Government's Growth Deal for Gloucestershire.

The funds have been allocated to construct road access and upgrade infrastructure for development sites earmarked for new aircraft hangars.

Managing director Mark Ryan said, "This is an important step forward for the Airport, enabling key new developments to be expedited bringing skilled jobs to the region. With our runway safety project completed in 2013, this grant will be the catalyst for the Airport's continued growth, delivering profitability to our Local Authority shareholders."

The Airport is the UK's busiest general aviation airport, handling around 75 000 flights per year. It has been voted 'Best GA Airport’ in 2013 and 2014 by AOPA, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Over 180 aircraft are based at the Airport, ranging from corporate jets to microlights. More than 30 companies offer a broad range of professional and recreational flying training, special tasks, maintenance and engineering. Over 500 people are employed at the Staverton site.

Operations director, Darren Lewington added: - "It is essential that modern hangarage and office accommodation is available for the aircraft operators expanding their businesses here or relocating to our county. The infrastructure work we are now planning will enable this development during 2015."

See also: Positive start to 2015 for Air BP with re-signing of Gloucestershire Airport