Coventry airport is to close with immediate effect, Sky News has reported.

The airport’s owners, West Midlands International Airport Ltd, are currently face a winding-up order at the High Court.

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Coventry Airport has announced the times it will be closed for the festive period.

The airport will close at 19:30 on Thursday 24 December and reopen at 9:00 on Saturday 2 January. However, it will be open from 13:00 until 01:00 on 29 & 30 December.

Coventry Airport has signed a £30m contract with City Aviation Services (CAS) to outsource a number of key personnel including baggage, cleaning and in a significant move for the airport security.

The airport is believed to be the first of the UK airports to outsource its entire security department, a move fully supported by the Department for Transport. The Airport’s management team is convinced the appointment of CAS is of great benefit to the Airport, its passengers and importantly, the personnel involved.

CAS, a UK-based aviation services specialist established in 1997, has been working with Coventry Airport for more than 11 years. In spring 1997, the company was initially contracted to provide cargo and car park staff to the airport. It was during 2004 that CAS first began to supply back up security personnel to cover staff holidays and sickness.

“Our existing relationship with CAS was a key factor when we first considered outsourcing our security department”, said Chris Orphanou, Coventry Airport’s CEO. “Over the past four years, CAS has grown with the passenger service operations at the airport. They have organised their own Level One Security training courses, provided uniforms for their staff and have given invaluable back up to our own operation. We are more than satisfied that CAS will surpass our personnel requirements in all departments.”

As discussions regarding the provision of security personnel progressed, other key positions were also considered and last month a contract was signed between CAS and Coventry Airport to provide security, car parks, cleaning, baggage and driving staff. CAS has taken responsibility for the contracts of personnel who were previously employed directly by Coventry Airport. “We were very keen to ensure job security for our employees,” continued Chris Orphanou. “We are therefore very pleased that no personnel have been made redundant during this transition.”

During the past year Coventry Airport’s management has put in place an extensive forward thinking development plan. To date £10m has been invested in improvements to the airport. The management team has lodged an appeal against the recent decision by Government ministers to reject the airport’s planning application to construct a new terminal building for up to two million passengers a year. A High Court hearing is scheduled to take place the week commencing 21st July.