19th May 200

Coventry Airport for sale.

A regional travel hub has been put up for sale, it has been revealed.

Coventry Airport has been made available by its directors and shareholders amid concerns over funding plans.

Brian Cox, airport director, said that the facility has "excellent potential".

He added: "Presently we are concentrating on developing the airport as a ''Midland hub'' for cargo, executive jets and ad hoc charter operations."

The facility is mainly being used for cargo purposes after Thomsonfly left the hub last November.

An increasing focus on chartered flights rather than scheduled routes was cited by the carrier as the reason behind its decision.

Proposals for a new terminal at Coventry Airport were also rejected earlier this year after a public inquiry.

In other news, earlier this week work to give Belfast International Airport a £10 million facelift got underway.

The travel hub is set to benefit from additional retail and food areas, with the construction slated for a summer finish.