Plans for new facilities at Blackpool Airport have been submitted as the site’s old infrastructure continues to be regenerated.
The plans, submitted by Blackpool Council and Blackpool Airport, would see a new office, security and small passenger handling building built behind the current buildings at the entrance.
The current building is over 20 years old. The new plans would see a better arrivals and departure area, larger security checkpoint and greater capacity for corporate, executive and charter flights.
Steve Peters, Managing Director of Blackpool Airport, said: “This is a major step forward in the future of Blackpool Airport. “Over the last five years we’ve done a lot of work internally to make Blackpool an attractive airport once again, and we’re seeing the rewards of that with increased corporate and executive aircraft flights accommodating larger cabin class aircraft, and welcoming new customers to the airport for the first time.
“This new facility will allow us to grow these executive flights by numbers of movements and increased aircraft size by offering more space as well as improved security, while a new building will provide a modern and welcoming environment that is more suitable as a first impression for departing or arriving visitors.”
The application will be considered by the planning committee at Fylde Council as the Squires Gate Lane site falls under its jurisdiction. Fylde Council is also due to consider plans for a new road and hanger later this summer. There are also plans for a solar farm.
Cllr Mark Smith, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Levelling Up (Place), at Blackpool Council said: “We’re working hard to make sure that we can support an airport that is commercially successful and a leading transport hub, and one that drives the growth of our Enterprise Zone.
“These plans would give the airport more scope to attract new business and customers, which is crucial to its success. In turn, it allows us to nurture the growth of the airport, while also releasing unneeded land for high end data centre companies to invest in Silicon Sands and create well paid jobs for local people.
“It is a complex task to redesign a working airport while keeping it fully operational and that can’t happen overnight. As a council, we are very keen to protect and grow the airport as a thriving transport hub and a community asset, but that needs to be done in a fashion which is economically sound and accounted for.”
In 2023, almost 39,000 flights took off and landed at Blackpool Airport, which was purchased by Blackpool Council in 2017 at a cost of £4.25m.
The prospect of commercial flights returning to Blackpool Airport is no closer to becoming a reality but was a key issue locally during the general election.
Reform UK candidate Mark Butcher and Conservative candidate Zak Khan were both strong advocates for commercial flights at Blackpool Airport.
Successful Labour candidate Chris Webb, now twice elected as MP for Blackpool South, said he would make no promises to re-open the airport due to the pressure it would place on the taxpayer.
Disgraced former MP for the area Scott Benton had previously promised to ‘Save the Airport’ but was ultimately unable to deliver on that pledge before his resignation this year.
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