Carlisle Lake District Airport opening delayed for three months
Next week’s opening of Stobart Group-owned Carlisle Lake District Airport has been postponed for three months due to a lack of air traffic control staff.
Flights were due to have started next Monday, June 4.
They would have linked the airport with Belfast, Dublin and London Southend, which is also owned by the Stobart Group.
But the opening will now take place on Monday, September 3.
A shortage of qualified air traffic control staff and regulatory deadlines has been blamed for the postponed opening.
Passengers who have booked to fly from Carlisle are being offered a full refund, or assistance with alternative flights from Manchester of Glasgow Airports.
However, Carlisle will still be open to handle general aviation traffic next month.
Scottish airline Loganair was due to start services from Carlisle next Monday.
John Hinkles, Logainair managing director, said: “This is hugely disappointing for everyone, especially our customers.
“We remain fully committed to our partnership with Stobart Aviation to commence regular commercial services from Carlisle Lake District in September.
“We’re working hard to inform all passengers and we completely appreciate the frustration which disruption to travel plans can cause.
“We have taken the decision to delay to September to provide the greatest level of certainty that the new target date for the introduction of services will be met, allowing the travelling public to book with confidence.”
Kate Willard, head of corporate projects for Stobart Group, added: “This major project to launch air services from a new airport relies not only on the airport’s infrastructure being complete, but also on a full complement of essential operational staff being in place.
“Regrettably, changing circumstances around staffing means that this cannot be completed in time for the airport to receive scheduled flights as planned on 4 June, despite every possible human effort being made.”
She added: “We know just how much this airport means to the people of Cumbria, South Scotland and the wider North West region and remain fully and wholeheartedly committed to working with all of our partners towards the new September launch date.”
