Regional & City Airports

What Regional & City Airports does

Regional & City Airports (RCA) is the UK regional airports management division of Rigby Group plc, the country's 12th largest family-owned business. RCA owns and operates four airports — Bournemouth, Exeter, Norwich, and Coventry — and holds management contracts for City of Derry, Solent, and Blackpool airports. Through the XLR Executive Jet Centres brand, RCA provides fixed-base operator (FBO) services for business aviation at Birmingham, Bournemouth, Exeter, and Liverpool airports. In the year to March 2024 the group reported revenue of £111m (up 20% from £93m) and pre-tax profit of £14.24m (versus £1.31m the prior year), and in the 12 months to 31 March 2026 it served 2.43 million passengers, up 23% year-on-year. A nationwide workforce of more than 7,000 people is supported across the network, with RCA's airports contributing an estimated £438m in Gross Value Added to local UK economies annually and sustaining 6,370 local jobs.

The group generates revenue across five principal streams: aeronautical and passenger fees at owned airports; air cargo handling through the Cargo First division (anchored by DHL's regular flights to JFK); MRO services delivered via on-airport partners such as KLM UK Engineering at Norwich and Gama Aviation at Bournemouth; business and corporate aviation services through XLR Executive Jet Centres; and commercial real estate operations, most notably the 200-acre Bournemouth Aviation Business Park hosting more than 200 businesses. RCA's go-to-market is indirect: it does not sell tickets to consumers, but instead secures long-term commitments from airline partners (Jet2, Ryanair, TUI, KLM, Loganair, British Airways, Aer Lingus/Emerald Airlines, Blue Islands) and tour operators that distribute flights and holidays through their own channels.

RCA has positioned itself as a sustainability leader in UK regional aviation, most visibly through the Zero Carbon Turn hydrogen ground support equipment trials at Exeter Airport — including the UK's first hydrogen-powered live aircraft turnaround in April 2025 — and partnership with Ampaire on hybrid-electric demonstration flights under the UKRI-backed 2ZERO programme. The group is pursuing a Net Zero 2040 target and holds CAA Hydrogen Challenge Sandbox approval. In August 2025, RCA announced a strategic partnership with ICG (Infocus Capital Partners), opening a new capital-backed phase of growth following twelve years under Rigby Group ownership.

Name

Regional & City Airports

Legal name

Regional & City Airports Holdings Limited

Website

https://rca.aero

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Regional & City Airports is the UK regional airports division of Rigby Group plc, owning and operating Bournemouth, Exeter, Norwich, and Coventry airports plus XLR Executive Jet Centres, serving 2.43 million passengers annually through airline partners such as Jet2, Ryanair, TUI, and KLM.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Airport Operations

NAICS

Airport Operations (48811), Other Airport Operations (488119), Other Support Activities for Air Transportation (488190), Support Activities for Air Transportation (4881)

SIC

Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation Infrastructure Agencies (Public Airports, Airfield Ops, Ground Access) (BPAIALAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Private Aviation Terminals & FBO Services (THABAFAH), Airport Ground Support Vehicles (Tugs, Baggage Tractors, Deicers) (IMAHAIAF)

Keywords

• Regional airport operations
• Passenger aviation services
• Air cargo handling
• Executive jet services
• Airport management contracts

Headquarters

HQ city

Stratford-upon-avon

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Airport Operations: Revenue from airport operations including passenger fees, landing charges, and airport services across Bournemouth, Exeter, Norwich, and Coventry airports
2. Cargo Operations: Cargo First division handling freight operations including imports/exports, e-commerce logistics, and specialized cargo handling services
3. XLR Executive Jet Centres: FBO (Fixed Base Operator) services for business and private aviation at Birmingham, Bournemouth, Exeter, and Liverpool airports including passenger lounges, crew facilities, and aircraft services
4. Aviation Business Park: Commercial real estate operations at Bournemouth Aviation Business Park and other airport sites, serving over 200 businesses across multiple sectors
5. Aircraft Maintenance (MRO): Maintenance, repair, and overhaul operations through partners like Gama Aviation at Bournemouth and KLM UK Engineering at Norwich

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Regional & City Airports (RCA) owns and operates four UK regional airports (Bournemouth, Exeter, Norwich, Coventry) and provides management services for additional airports (City of Derry, Solent, Blackpool). The company delivers passenger aviation services through airline partnerships, executive aviation FBO services via XLR Executive Jet Centres, cargo handling through its Cargo First division, and commercial real estate operations at its Aviation Business Park. RCA is part of Rigby Group plc and pursues sustainability initiatives including hydrogen ground support equipment trials and Sustainable Aviation Fuel adoption.

Product overview

Regional & City Airports (RCA) operates as a regional airport operator and management company, offering a portfolio of airport-related services rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include Passenger Aviation Services (scheduled commercial flights through airline partnerships), XLR Executive Jet Centres (business and private aviation FBO services), Cargo First Services (freight handling), and Airport Management (for owned and operated airports). RCA owns and operates Bournemouth Airport, Exeter Airport, and Norwich Airport, with management contracts for additional airports. Sustainability initiatives include Sustainable Aviation Fuel adoption and the Zero Carbon Turn hydrogen ground support equipment project. The company is part of Rigby Group plc.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 23% year-on-year passenger growth to 2.43 million in FY2026
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cranfield UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading research partnership on airport decarbonisation and sustainable aviation. Joint research on hydrogen ground support equipment (Zero Carbon Turn project), 360-degree accessibility video development, and Net Zero 2040 targets. Dr Thomas Budd, Associate Professor of Airport Decarbonisation, leads academic collaboration.
• TUIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal travel company operating aircraft from Exeter Airport. Partner in Zero Carbon Turn hydrogen ground support equipment trial. TUI bases additional aircraft at Bournemouth and Exeter airports for summer operations.
• ULEMCocoreTechnology or IntegrationHydrogen technology company providing hydrogen internal combustion engine solutions for ground support equipment in Zero Carbon Turn project trials.
• Connected Places CatapultcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment-backed innovation organization funding hydrogen ground support equipment trials at Exeter Airport including winter trials for hydrogen GPU simulations.
• UK Civil Aviation AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAviation regulator providing Hydrogen Challenge Sandbox programme support for hydrogen trials, safety case development, and regulatory pathway guidance.
• AmpairecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPioneer in hybrid electric aircraft technology conducting demonstration flights between Exeter and Cornwall airports. Part of 2ZERO programme (£5m initiative with £2.4m UKRI funding) to advance sustainable regional aviation.
• LoganaircoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK's largest regional airline operating routes from Exeter, Norwich, and other RCA airports. Committed to Net Zero by 2040 through GreenSkies initiative.
• BoeingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAircraft manufacturer collaborating on Zero Carbon Turn hydrogen ground support equipment trial at Exeter Airport.
• Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to train RCA airport staff on assisting visually impaired passengers, providing insights into living with sight loss conditions.
• World Fuel Services / Air Elite NetworkminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorXLR Executive Jet Centres members of Air Elite network (100 FBOs worldwide) and World Fuel Services Network for branded fuel products and services.
• Future Skills CentreminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSkills training institution collaborating with RCA to ensure next generation of aviation professionals equipped with necessary skills for sustainable aviation.
• International Aviation Academy NorwichminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTraining academy at Norwich Airport providing aircraft engineering apprenticeships and technical training. KLM UK Engineering delivers programmes at the facility.

Scale indicators19 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• AGS Airports: AGS Airports owns and operates Aberdeen, Glasgow, and Southampton airports in the UK, employing a similar multi-airport operator model to RCA. Comparable in serving regional UK aviation markets with a mix of business, leisure, and energy sector traffic, particularly at Aberdeen.
• Manchester Airports Group (MAG): MAG is the UK's largest regional airport operator, owning and operating Manchester, London Stansted, and East Midlands airports. Sold Bournemouth Airport to RCA in December 2017, making MAG both a direct competitor in UK regional airport management and the source of RCA's most significant recent acquisition.
• Signature Flight Support: Signature Flight Support is the world's largest FBO network with 200+ locations globally, competing directly with RCA's XLR Executive Jet Centres for business aviation customers at Birmingham, Bournemouth, Exeter, and Liverpool. Both offer premium handling, fueling, and passenger services for private aviation.
• Atlantic Aviation: Atlantic Aviation is one of North America's largest FBO networks with 100+ locations, directly comparable to XLR's Air Elite network membership and similar service offerings for business aviation. Both compete for FBO contracts and corporate aviation customers at shared-use airports.
• TAG Farnborough Airport: TAG Farnborough is the UK's premier dedicated business aviation airport, directly competing with XLR Executive Jet Centres for premium UK FBO traffic. Both serve the high net worth and corporate aviation segment with similar service offerings including lounges, crew facilities, and aircraft handling.
• Avia Solutions Group: Avia Solutions Group is a global aviation business group with airport management, MRO, and ACMI charter operations across multiple continents. Comparable to RCA in offering integrated airport services including ground handling, cargo, and operational management for regional airports.
• Cardiff Airport: Cardiff Airport is a Welsh regional airport owned by the Welsh Government, serving a similar role to RCA's Exeter and Bournemouth airports in connecting regional communities to domestic and international destinations. Comparable scale and market positioning as a non-London regional gateway.
• Liverpool John Lennon Airport (Peel Airports Group): Peel Airports Group operates Liverpool John Lennon Airport, a comparable UK regional airport serving leisure and business travelers in North West England. RCA's XLR Executive Jet Centre is co-located at Liverpool, creating direct operational and competitive overlap.

Broad incumbents

• Fraport AG: Fraport is a global airport operator and infrastructure provider headquartered in Germany, owning Frankfurt Airport and operating multiple international facilities. A broader incumbent in the airport management space, sharing RCA's focus on operational excellence and infrastructure efficiency at scale.
• Heathrow Airport Holdings: Heathrow Airport Holdings operates the UK's largest hub airport and is a key indirect competitor to RCA's regional airports for both airline capacity decisions and passenger demand. While RCA positions its network as a 'credible alternative to London airports', Heathrow's network effects dwarf regional airport economics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Regional & City Airports