THE part-owner of Newcastle Airport has taken on a base run by the North-East site’s former boss.

AMP Capital has agreed to buy 100 per cent of Leeds Bradford Airport from Bridgepoint Advisers Limited.

The operator already has a 49 per cent stake in Newcastle Airport, and its move comes just weeks after ex-Newcastle chief executive Davey Laws, who spent time as an advisor to AMP Capital, took over at Leeds Bradford.

Simon Ellis, European head of origination at AMP Capital, said: “With its strong underlying fundamentals, including freehold ownership with well-invested infrastructure, a diversified airline mix and its catchment area in an economic hub of the north, Leeds Bradford Airport is a highly attractive investment.

“AMP Capital’s heritage in transportation infrastructure investment and our experience of owning airports means we are well placed to develop the exciting opportunities presented by this investment.”

Earlier this month, Mr Laws, a former football referee who spent 37 years at Newcastle Airport in various roles, revealed his new venture had secured an operator deal aimed at easing North-East holidaymakers’ Monarch heartache.

The airport is working with Thomas Cook on new routes to Turkey, Tunisia, Cyprus and Spain’s Balearic Islands.

It has also thrashed out an arrangement with existing operator Jet2, which will deliver thousands of seats for winter holidays to Tenerife, and added further Ryanair and Tui services.