Humberside Airport has maintained annual passenger volumes of approximately 500,000 during a period of intense competition and has broadened its aviation activities to include scheduled and charter passenger services, freight, North Sea gas rig services, aircraft maintenance, pilot training and a variety of other specialised niches.

MAG now believes that in order to secure the best long-term future for Humberside Airport that all options, including a possible transfer of ownership, should be considered.

This would allow MAG to concentrate on its strategy of maximising the growth opportunities offered by the larger Manchester, East Midlands and Bournemouth Airports.

Employees at Humberside Airport and North Lincolnshire Council, the airport s minority shareholder were informed of the Group s decision today by MAG Chief Executive, Geoff Muirhead CBE.

Simon Driver, Chief Executive of North Lincolnshire Council said of the decision:"North Lincolnshire Council welcomes the long-term relationship with Manchester Airports Group and recognises that now is the time to look to the future. We will build on the success of the airport for the benefit of North Lincolnshire and the wider region.
"The airport has real potential and the council, as a shareholder, will look to maximise the development of the airport in the future. The council has maintained its shareholding in the airport since 1996.
"In light of the news from Manchester Airports Group, the council now needs to consider its position. It is inappropriate to comment further at this stage."

Commenting on the move, Geoff Muirhead CBE said: Humberside Airport is a solid business but the attention needed to maximise its full potential may not fit easily with the Group s emerging strategy.

The Humberside Airport team has done a fantastic job retaining and attracting airlines and maintaining stable passenger numbers, particularly during the last few years when competition has increased significantly.

Since purchasing its majority stake in Humberside Airport in 1999 for £10 million, MAG has invested nearly £7 million in capital expenditure to improve and develop the airport infrastructure.

Routes currently served from Humberside Airport include Air France/KLM s worldwide hub at Amsterdam, many of the popular holiday destinations in Europe, the Canaries, Lapland, the Channel Islands and domestic services to Scotland.

Humberside Airport has a core catchment area of over 1 million people within 45 minutes driving time and serves the major towns and cities of Hull, Grimsby/Cleethorpes, Scunthorpe and Lincoln.

MAG s other three airports, Manchester, East Midlands and Bournemouth, together handle around 28 million passengers every year and are unique within their catchment area in terms of destinations, airlines, facilities and proximity to the main surface transport infrastructure.

The review and any future decisions about MAG s stake in Humberside Airport are expected to be completed by the end of 2008.

For more information please contact:

MAG Press Office on 0161 489 2700

The relaxation of the one-bag rule will be particularly welcomed by business passengers, especially frequent flyers using one of the four daily flights to Amsterdam with KLM and those travelling to Aberdeen with Eastern Airways.

Rob Goldsmith, Managing Director of Humberside Airport said: We are delighted to receive approval from the Department for Transport for the new security rules. However, as some airlines may still retain the one-bag rule, we strongly suggest you check with your airline on the cabin baggage arrangements for your particular journey. And passengers should also remember that restrictions on liquids they carry in hand baggage are still in force.

In common with all UK airports, passengers using Humberside Airport are not allowed to carry any liquids or gels of more than 100mls or 100gms in their cabin luggage. All containers must fit comfortably in one transparent, re-sealable bag no larger than 20cm x 20cm (e.g. a freezer bag). Any bag larger than 56cm x 25cm will not be permitted on board the aircraft.

For more information contact:
Humberside Airport Press Office
Tel: 0845 108 8542
E-mail: pressoffice@humbersideairport.com

Hundreds of Humberside Airport customers are expected to be at the airport on Sunday (January 13th 2008) to find out more about opportunities for travel from the region's local airport. 1,000 loyal customers have received invitations to the event, which takes place from noon to 4pm.

The exhibition is open to all, customers looking to attend should register on 08701 270029 and remember to book early to avoid disappointment. Free car parking on the day will be available to all visitors and refreshments will be provided.

The Holiday Exhibition will showcase the vast array of exciting holiday opportunities available from Humberside Airport. Keen travellers will be able to book holidays on the day and also take advantage of a range of exclusive special offers. Those in attendance can also enjoy complimentary refreshments and take advantage of free parking at the busy venue.

Additional sales consultants will be on hand at the airport to cope with the expected demand. The airport is also offering extra promotional give-aways to those attending the exhibition and make a booking in the month of January, with Free Executive Lounge Pass, Free Insurance and Free Car Parking on Humberside Airport Departures all up for grabs (subject to terms and conditions).

Tour and travel operators in attendance on the day include Fred Olsen Cruises, who offer a dedicated departure from Humberside on 13 November 2008 offering a 14 night cruise around the Caribbean; Goldtrail, who operate flights from Humberside Airport to three destinations - Dalaman, Bodrum and Antalya;Jersey specialist Airways; Newmarket Holidays, who offer one off flights to Italy and Madeira and Inghams, a specialist ski sector tour operator that offers flights to Innsbruck.

Inghams weekly departures to Austria, where passengers can sample some of the best ski resorts in the world and select accommodation from a variety of hand-picked hotels, apartments, chalets and club hotels, were launched by the ski and snowboard specialist in December 2007

Representatives from Wendy Wu China Tours will also be on hand at the event. Wendy Wu offer escorted tours around China and allow customers to sample the country from 14 29 days. So if it s the Terracotta Warriors, The Great Wall of China or the famous Pandas in Chengdu Province, this is the chance to find out more about a once in a lifetime experience.

Amanda George, Business Manager for Humberside Airport Travel said: This annual event is becoming increasingly popular. Customers attending the exhibition can find out more about the many exciting travel options from Humberside Airport for 2008. We are delighted to be able to offer passengers from the region such a wide range of destinations from their local airport.

As well as providing an opportunity to book a dream holiday, the Holiday Exhibition is also a great day out for all in the unique surroundings of our airport.

For more information contact:

Humberside Airport Press Office
Tel: 0845 108 8542
Email: pressoffice@humbersideairport.com

With its sparkling granite buildings, Aberdeen has one of Scotland s most enchanting skylines, while the old town has a magical air of time gone by. As well as the extraordinary Hogmanay celebrations that will engulf the city on December 31 there is also a fantastic range of first class restaurants, vibrant nightlife and thriving shops and boutiques to explore.

Hogmanay in Scotland is a great festive time seeped in many customs and traditions. Traditions such as first footing, which involves celebrating good luck with the first person who crosses the threshold on New Year's Eve and the burning of the clavie take place all over the city. The clavie is a half barrel filled with wood shavings and tar which is set alight and paraded around to encourage a successful fishing year, this tradition originated in the small north east fishing villages. Why not join in the celebrations and see in the New Year with a tot of whiskey and a tasty black bun!

The highlight of New Year s Eve itself is set to be the Aberdeen Castlegate Hogmanay Concert, with Scottish pop group Travis as the headlining act expected to lead the city in a chorus of Auld Lang Syne.

There are also many events taking place in the surrounding area during New Year s Day itself. In Scotland January 1 is seen as a day to reminisce about the year gone by. You could join in with the locals by taking part in the picturesque Temperance Walk at Cairnbulg which dates back 160 years. This historic walk is unlike any other as the walkers are lead by traditional flute players.

Weekday flights depart Humberside Airport daily with four direct services and also one flight every Sunday courtesy of Eastern Airways. Details of departure times and dates can be found on either www.humbersideairport.com or www.easternairways.com.

Press contacts:
Humberside Airport Press Office
Tel: 0845 108 8542
Email: pressoffice@humbersideairport.com

The Airport has restrictions on parking outside the terminal building. Customers wishing to pick up or drop off passengers are being directed to the short stay car park where free parking is available for 15 minutes.

Passengers are reminded that all other security restrictions remain in force. This includes no liquids over 100ml to be carried in hand luggage.

Current Regulations

Hand baggage:
Passengers will continue to be allowed just one item of hand baggage. The size of the bag is 56cm x 45cm x 25cm. This is consistent with the International Air Transport Association's long-standing recommendation.

Correct bag and contents	Bag too cluttered	Bag & items too large

Exemption for musical instruments:
Large musical instruments will be allowed as a second item of hand luggage but they will have to be screened separately.

Liquids:

Passengers will be permitted to carry in their cabin baggage, small quantities of liquids in separate containers each with a capacity not greater than 100ml. This will have to be declared to security officers, removed from their baggage and x-rayed separately.

These items must be contained within a small, re-sealable plastic wallet, which will be have to be removed from their hand baggage and x-rayed separately.

The new rules stipulate that the plastic wallet must not exceed one litre capacity per passenger - that s around half the size of a standard A4 piece of paper and it must be sealable. The wallet can contain two or more items of less than 100mls each but must not be cluttered to allow security officers to carry out thorough checks.

Large electrical items / Laptops:
Laptops and other complex items of electrical equipment have to be removed from hand luggage and screened separately.

WHAT DOES NOT CHANGE

Passengers will continue to be allowed to pack liquids in the bags that they check in.

They will also be allowed to carry in their hand luggage prescribed medicines and dietary requirements including baby foods, for use during the trip. Passengers may be asked for proof that these items are needed.

Passengers will be able to buy liquids including drinks and perfumes either in an EU airport shop after security control, or on board an aircraft operated by an EU airlines. If they are sold in a special sealed bag, passengers must not open them before they are screened otherwise the contents may be confiscated at the checkpoint.