Amid recent speculation that the deal could fall through, the two council owners of Gloucestershire Airport say its sale is now 'in the final stages'.
Gloucester City Council and Cheltenham Borough Council have released a joint statement reassuring the public that they anticipate the conclusion of the deal 'shortly' – with a deadline to complete of Saturday 31 January 2026 just days away.
The councils revealed their preferred bidder for the airport as Horizon Aero Group in July 2025, but the completion of the sale has been delayed, leading to concerns it could collapse.
According to Carmelo Garcia, local democracy reporter, Gloucester City Council leader Jeremy Hilton previously attributed the delays to the 'very detailed' nature of the sale, with 'a lot of property and assets there for the bidders to be reassured they are getting the right value for'.
The councils recently set a 'backstop' for completion as the end of January. Head of place at Gloucester City Council, Andrew Hearne, told a meeting earlier this month he was 'confident' the deadline would be met.
A joint venture between UK-based tech firm Vayu Aviation Services and Indian construction company Vensa Infrastructure, Horizon was established specifically to bring forward a long‑term vision for the airport.
The group describes itself as being 'committed to revitalising regional airports through innovation, sustainability and community-led growth', striving to transform 'underused' sites into 'thriving, future-ready aviation hubs that deliver long-term value' for communities and stakeholders.
A joint press release from the councils this week says they are 'in
the final stages of completing the legal requirements' for the sale.
It says: 'The sale of an airport is an extremely complex undertaking and naturally takes time.
'However, we are now in a position to move toward completing the deal and we anticipate bringing the process to a conclusion shortly.
'Communication with the Horizon Group remains constructive and will be crucial as all parties continue to work collaboratively towards the completion of the sale.'
The councils say as part of the proposed transaction, the group has set out plans aimed at safeguarding aviation at the site while enabling wider economic development and investment.
The joint statement adds: 'Both councils have been engaged in detailed negotiations with the prospective purchaser to ensure that all legal, financial and operational requirements are fully satisfied. This includes complex due diligence, regulatory considerations and ensuring continuity of services critical to airport users and on‑site businesses.
'Both
councils remain focused on concluding the transaction in a manner that secures
the long‑term future of the airport, supports continued economic growth, and
delivers value for local taxpayers.'
