Skyport folds

After 36 years, Skyport, Heathrow’s independent newspaper has folded.  Current owner Trinity Mirror said that the tabloid was “not sustainable under current economic conditions”.

Skyport was launched in 1976, the dream child of former World War II Spitfire pilot the late Bill Brenard, a spin off from his airport news agency. 

Founding Editor Bill Davitt – a journalist formerly with the Daily Express, BBC and Travel Trade Gazette – created Skyport from a piece of white paper.
 
He told BTNews: "They were immensely exciting days.  We took the pulse of Heathrow, reflecting its huge energy in Skyport pages".

The lively crew included Nigel Tomkins, now Editor of Air Cargo News, and aviation news stalwart Nigel Botherway.

"Heathrow was wonderful for human interest stories”, said Nigel.  “Skyport offered a glimpse behind the scenes at a major hub airport bringing to life the unsung aspects of what was then the most successful airport in the world.  It was a joy.  From baggage loaders to Customs officers, from air traffic controllers to airline chairmen and chief executives, Skyport took their interests to heart".

Nigel Botherway summed it up very neatly.  “Skyport was an essential weekly read”.

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