COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

A Switzerland-based firm has pulled out of buying and taking over the running of Coventry Airport.

Business support firm ADP had been looking through the airport's books and its chief executive had said the site had great potential.

It is not known why the firm changed its mind. The city council's deputy leader Kevin Foster said it was "a blow, but not a knockout blow".

He said the airport still had interested parties.

The airport at Baginton shut at the beginning of December.

Passenger flights stopped there in 2008, but the airport continued handling freight until it closed.

"We still have parties interested in keeping going the services we need to look after the hundreds of jobs which are dependent on the airport," Cllr Foster said.

A Midlands-based company is looking at buying and taking over the running of Coventry Airport, the council said.

Last week, Switzerland-based business support firm ADP pulled out of a proposed deal to take it over.

City council deputy leader Kevin Foster said that the local firm had been looking to become partners with ADP.

"The local partner is still committed and the council will continue to work with it to try and bring this issue to a successful conclusion," he said.

Mr Foster said ADP had pulled out for "commercial reasons".

The airport at Baginton shut at the beginning of December.

Passenger flights stopped there in 2008, but the airport continued handling freight until it closed.