Bournemouth airport is weighing up plans to ensure it is ‘Premier League ready’ following the historic promotion of AFC Bournemouth to English football’s top league
Bosses at the airport, which handles around 811,000 passengers a year, are taking advice from partners Manchester and East Midlands airports.
Manchester airport regularly handles the city’s two rival Premier League teams and their international opposition.
Having regained Premier League status for the 2014/15 season, East Midlands has welcomed Leicester City and its opposition to the airport.
Bournemouth, Manchester and East Midlands airports are owned by Manchester Airports Group, the largest UK-owed airport operator.
Ideas being considered for Bournemouth include a dedicated lounge for friends and families of the team, creating a fast-track processing lane at arrivals for football kit and providing attractive rates for football-related private jets on match days.
The airport has also received a number of requests from fans to re-name the terminal in honour of AFC Bournemouth manager, Eddie Howe, who successfully guided the club into the Premier League for the first time in the its history.
Airport general manager, Paul Knight, said: “At this stage, we are still celebrating the fantastic achievement of The Cherries, but over the summer we will be liaising with our colleagues at Manchester and East Midlands airports to ensure we are ‘Premier League ready’.
“Clearly the promotion is a massive boost for the town and everyone is very proud of Eddie and the players’ achievement.
“We are keen to play the best role we can in ensuring that their first season in the Premier League is as successful as possible and choosing to fly to away games as opposed to making long journeys by road seems a smart move in any coaching manual.
“You never know, this time next year we could also be talking about our European schedule.”