Closure looms for Blackpool Airport
BLACKPOOL Airport is facing closure unless a buyer can be found in the coming week.
Such a move would be a “devastating blow” for the town, according to chamber of commerce chief executive Babs Murphy.
And Jet2, one of the airport’s main operators, said it was “surprised” by the news.
A statement issued by the airport said the last commercial flights would be on October 15 if there was no deal before October 7.
Last month Regional & City Investments (Blackpool) – owned by Balfour Beaty Infrastructure Investments and the local council which has 5% – hired Zolfo Cooper to handle the sale of the operating company, Blackpool Airport Limited (BAL).
BAL holds the operating licence from the Civil Aviation Authority to run the airport which had around 260,000 travellers last year.
Blackpool has three scheduled airlines as well as occasional charter holiday flights in the summer. The largest operator is Jet2, which flies to 13 destinations.
Today the airport said: “The airport operations have been making a loss for a number of years and options are currently being explored in an attempt to secure the future of the airport.
“The airport regretfully confirms that if no agreement can be reached before October 7, 2014 which ensures the viability of its operations, then it is likely that the airport operations will close. In this event, it is expected that the last commercial flights will take place on Wednesday October 15, 2014.”
Balfour Beatty bought its stake in the airport in 2008, acquiring it from CityHopper Airports for £14m.
A spokesman for Jet2 said: “Today’s announcement has come as a surprise to us. It is our intention to continue operating flights as normal from Blackpool Airport. Should the airport make the decision to close, contingency plans will be in place and we will do everything we can to support both our loyal Jet2.com and Jet2holidays staff and customers.”
David Bentley, who runs Oldham-based aviation consultancy Big Pond Aviation, said: “Regional airports like Blackpool are struggling right across the world. In Europe about 44% of all airports are making a loss and across the world the figure is over 60%.
“They’re stuck between a rock and several hard places – the major airlines are not interested in expanding into regional airports, the local airlines are struggling, and the low cost operators are scaling up in to primary airports.”
He added: “There’s hardly a single investor I can think would be interested, possibly the Rigby Group which has bought Coventry Airport and bought into Balfour Beatty’s airport in Exeter.”
Babs Murphy, chief executive of the North and West Lancashire Chambers of Commerce, said: ““If this news is correct then it’s a devastating blow for Blackpool. The town has been associated with the aviation business for over 100 years and the airport itself has built up a reputation for convenience, ease of access, and flying experience. However it’s a numbers game and the airport itself is caught in a classic catch 22. But airlines will only locate here if there is sufficient demand for their routes.
“Even though the limited number of destinations served by the airport was always a going to give cause for concern Jet 2 has shown that flying out of Blackpool can be made to work.
“We are aware of the efforts by Balfour Beatty to find a buyer and remain hopeful that one can be found who will invest the time and funds necessary to work with stakeholders and the business community to turn the airport’s fortunes around. We also remain hopeful that the continued growth in air travel would encourage more airlines to follow Jet 2’s example and locate here. Blackpool airport is an untapped asset that deserves to succeed.”
