Cambridge City Airport

What Cambridge City Airport does

Cambridge City Airport is a privately-held regional airport located on Newmarket Road in Cambridge, United Kingdom, wholly owned and operated by Marshall of Cambridge Aerospace Limited, part of the Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group (founded 1909). The airport has operated since 1929 (with 1938 also cited in corporate filings) and features a 1,965m runway equipped with full air traffic control, radar, ILS, and DME navigational aids, plus fire service capability ranging from Category 4 to Category 8 with 24 hours' notice. It is positioned as a slot-restriction-free alternative to London-area airports Stansted (30 miles) and Luton (46 miles), located 50 miles from Greater London and adjacent to Cambridge's high-tech business corridor and Newmarket's horse racing cluster.

The company generates revenue through multiple streams: aircraft landing and departure fees (differentiated by weight category, with training flights at 50% reduced rates and touch-and-go operations at 25%); Fixed Base Operator (FBO) services at the Cambridge Jet Centre including VIP handling, refueling, customs/immigration clearance, and ground support; specialised equine air transport for race horses serving Newmarket Racecourse and international destinations including Deauville and Dubai World Cup; exclusive UK distribution of FOD*Boss airfield sweepers (FOD*Boss, Duplex, and Triplex systems with unconditional lifetime guarantee); flight training through Cambridge Aero Club (a CAA Approved Training Organisation with 90+ years of heritage); conference and VIP lounge hire; and ancillary services including pet travel under the PETS scheme, medical flight support, drone/UAS permit management within a 5km Flight Restricted Zone, and crane permit administration.

Notable customers and partners include East Anglian Air Ambulance (resident since 2007), Marshall Aerospace (parent and anchor tenant for engine testing and ATC support), Apollo Air Services (first southern VIP helicopter base since August 2020), Flexjet, Intradco Global, Air Nunavut/SmoothAir, Weston Aviation, and Air Navigation Solutions (ANSL). The airport has undergone significant transformation since 2019 under Airport Director Kevan Craske, including rebranding, in-house takeover of FBO services from ExecuJet, a new Jet Centre (January 2023), Europe's largest fully-enclosed Ground Running Enclosure (90m wide x 20m high, accommodating Boeing 747-400 size), and a new ILS/DME system installed in September 2020. The business operates Monday-Friday 0800-1800 with extended hours available on request through the Cambridge Jet Centre.

Name

Cambridge City Airport

Legal name

Marshall of Cambridge Aerospace Limited

Website

https://cambridgeairport.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1938

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cambridge City Airport is a privately-held UK regional airport offering FBO handling, flight training, equine air transport, and exclusive UK distribution of FOD*Boss airfield sweepers. Owned by Marshall of Cambridge Aerospace Limited, it serves business aviation, charter operators, and Newmarket's horse racing industry.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Airport Services

NAICS

Airport Operations (48811), Other Airport Operations (488119), Support Activities for Air Transportation (4881), Nonscheduled Air Transportation (48121)

SIC

Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581), Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Aviation Terminals & FBO Services (THABAFAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Aviation Infrastructure Agencies (Public Airports, Airfield Ops, Ground Access) (BPAIALAE), Ground Handling (Ramp, Baggage, Turnaround) (THABAIAC), Flight Operations Control & Dispatch (OCC/IOCC) (THABAIAA), Private Aviation Ground Support & Trip Services (Dispatch, Permits, Handling) (THABAFAK)

Keywords

• Regional airport operations
• Business aviation handling
• Fixed base operator services
• Flight training
• Airfield sweeper distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Cambridge

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Landing and Departure Fees: Charges for aircraft landing at the airport based on aircraft weight categories (under 2.7 tonnes and over 2.7 tonnes). Training flights receive 50% reduced rates and touch-and-go operations at 25% of full price.
2. FBO / Jet Centre Services: Full-service Fixed Base Operator offering aircraft handling, passenger and baggage processing, fuel services, security, customs/immigration clearance, de-icing, ground support, and crew facilities. Revenue from charter services coordination.
3. Equine Air Transport: Specialised handling and transportation services for race horses, jockeys, owners, and trainers traveling to and from Newmarket Racecourse and international destinations including Deauville and Dubai World Cup.
4. FOD*Boss Distribution: Exclusive UK distribution of FOD*Boss airfield sweepers manufactured by Aerosweep. Products include FOD*Boss, Duplex, and Triplex systems with lifetime guarantee.
5. Conference and Lounge Hire: Board room and VIP private lounge hire for up to 16 delegates (reduced to 8 for social distancing) with 50% discount offered when booked alongside an arrival.
6. Flight Training Services: Revenue from flight training operations through Cambridge Aero Club including ground school and practical flight instruction. Touch-and-go landing practice at 25% of full landing fee.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Cambridge City Airport operates a regional airport providing business aviation handling through its Cambridge Jet Centre Fixed Base Operator (FBO), general aviation and flight training via Cambridge Aero Club, equine and pet air transport, and is the exclusive UK distributor of FOD*Boss airfield sweepers. It supports charter operations, medical flights, drone airspace management, and crane permit services with a 1965m runway, full ATC, radar, ILS, and DME infrastructure.

Product overview

Cambridge City Airport operates a portfolio of aviation services centered around its Cambridge Jet Centre FBO, general aviation operations, and specialized transport services. The core offering includes business aviation VIP handling, FOD*Boss debris sweeping equipment distribution, flight training through Cambridge Aero Club, equine and pet transport, medical flight support, and airport safeguarding services for drones and crane operations. The airport serves as a gateway for executive and business aviation, positioned as an alternative to larger London-area airports.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cambridge Jet Centre: Fixed Base Operator (FBO) providing business aviation, VIP handling, equine transport, pet travel, medical flights, and charter services
• FOD*Boss

Products and services

• Cambridge Jet Centre (FBO) Full-service Fixed Base Operator providing business aviation and VIP handling, including aircraft handling, passenger and baggage processing, refuelling, security, customs and immigration clearance, de-icing, ground support, equi

Quantifiable outcome

• De-icer environmental impact reduced through £2.2 million water attenuation pond system installed in 2016
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 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

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Air Navigation Solutions (ANSL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2021Contract to provide ATC simulator training for Air Traffic Control Officers at Cambridge City Airport. Provides full-capability ATC simulator on temporary basis, instructor for secondment, MATS manager on interim basis, and CAA regulatory approval support. Expedites ATCO training by three years.
• Apollo Air ServicescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 August 2020First southern base for leading UK VIP helicopter charter service. Apollo operates from Cambridge beginning August 2020, expanding access to London, South Coast, Paris, and Brussels. Both companies experienced 40%+ increase in charter enquiries post-lockdown.
• Dr Jaclyn Bell (Aspiring Astronaut)minorOthers · 1 November 2019Leading academic and astronaut-hopeful who officially opened Cambridge City Airport's new Jet Centre FBO alongside Lady Marshall. Appeared in BBC's 'Astronauts: Do You Have What It Takes?' 2017.
• Marshall of Cambridge Aerospace Limited / Marshall Aerospace and Defence GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company owning and managing Cambridge City Airport. Provides global customer access for aircraft maintenance and repair. Invested in Ground Running Enclosure, new Jet Centre, ILS systems, and airport rebranding. Cranes page indicates operating under Marshall of Cambridge Aerospace Limited (EGSC).
• Cambridge Aero ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of handful of UK flying schools with ATO status from CAA, training pilots for over 90 years. Provides flight experiences, ground school, and practical training at Cambridge City Airport.
• East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResident company at Cambridge City Airport since 2007. Provides Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) with H145 helicopter (Anglia Two). Partnership featured in East Anglian Business Magazine coverage of Covid-19 response.
• Weston AviationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCharter service partner providing first-class travel needs for customers without owning aircraft. Linked from Jet Centre website for charter quotations.
• ISO 14001:2015 CertificationminorOthersAirport operates within framework of ISO 14001:2015 environmental management standard, demonstrating commitment to environmental stewardship.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• London Farnborough Airport: UK's leading dedicated business aviation airport serving London. Directly comparable to Cambridge Jet Centre on premium FBO services, VIP handling, no scheduled airline operations, and London-catchment corporate clients.
• London Biggin Hill Airport: Dedicated business aviation airport serving London with FBO facilities. Comparable to Cambridge in targeting corporate/VIP traffic, no scheduled airline service, and slot-light positioning.
• London Oxford Airport: Regional UK business aviation airport focused on corporate jets, FBO services, and flight training. Closely comparable to Cambridge in operating model, customer base (corporate/VIP), and UK regional positioning.
• Cranfield Airport: UK regional airport hosting business aviation, flight training (Cranfield Flying School), and aerospace research. Similar scale, customer mix, and dual-purpose training/FBO business model.

Broad incumbents

• London Luton Airport: Major London-area airport 46 miles from Cambridge, named by CCA as a direct alternative. Overlaps in private aviation handling and corporate traffic but operates at much larger scale with scheduled services.
• Signature Flight Support: Global FBO chain operating at multiple UK and European airports. Comparable to Cambridge Jet Centre in FBO services (handling, fuel, crew facilities) but at much larger scale across many locations.
• TAG Farnborough: Global aviation services group operating FBOs including at Farnborough. Direct overlap with Cambridge Jet Centre on business aviation handling, FBO, charter and crew services.

Regional players

• Exeter Airport: UK regional airport offering business aviation, general aviation and some scheduled services. Comparable in regional UK airport positioning but with different catchment and scheduled traffic mix.
• Bournemouth Airport: UK regional airport with significant business aviation, flight training, and helicopter operations. Comparable in regional scale, FBO offering, and training/general aviation mix.

Others

• Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group: Parent company of Cambridge City Airport. Highly relevant as the controlling entity providing infrastructure investment, ATC, and engine test facilities used by Cambridge.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cbgairport
• Facebookfacebook.com/CambridgeCityAirport
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cambridge-city-airport
• Instagraminstagram.com/cambridgecityairport

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Cambridge City Airport