Almat Flying Club, based at Coventry airport, ceased trading on 8 January.

According to Almat managing director Glynn Matthews, the school’s demise is a direct result of the closure of Coventry airport on 8 December following the insolvency of the airport’s lease holders West Midlands International Airport Ltd.

Almat Flying Club had been operating since 1978, training many hundreds of pilots over its 30+ year history. According to the school there were between 50 and 60 students on their books at the time of closure.

Almat is currently working with next door neighbour Fly Helicentre to take over the training of their students.

Almat also operated a Transair pilot shop franchise which, alongside the school, has also ceased trading.