Lobby group calls for airport investment

AVIATION group FlyingMatters is urging the government to continue investing in airports or risk losing thousands of jobs in the North West.

The pro-aviation lobby group FlyingMatters said international visitors to the region are expected to double to more than five million a year by 2030 and could create thousands of new jobs in the tourism sector alone.

It has launched a campaign to encourage politicians to support continued airport modernisation and development around the UK.

FlyingMatters said developments at airports in the North West, including retail and airport security refurbishments at all three terminals at Manchester Airport, are expected to add millions of pounds in additional revenue to the regional economy every year by 2030, equivalent to an average £1,300 each for everyone in the region.

Chairman of FlyingMatters, Brian Wilson, said: ““The long term growth in international visitors and global trade is expected to create thousands of new jobs throughout the North West and the UK as a whole in hotels, visitor attractions, restaurants as well as high value, high tech jobs in key sectors.  

“When we begin to emerge from the current recession only countries which have world class international airports and connections will be able to take full advantage of the predicted growth in international visitors and trade.  Without them, it won’t be goods or services we’re exporting: it will be jobs.”