Blackpool Council has voiced its ‘disappointment’ over the news Blackpool International Airport is likely to close unless a buyer can be found.
Yesterday, the airport released a statement saying it had been making a loss for a number of years and if no agreement is reached before 7 October, it is likely the airport will close.
However, the council said it was concerned about the speed of the decision and felt more could have been done to improve the economic viability of the site.
Cllr John Jones, Blackpool Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, said: ‘We are very disappointed with how things have gone and we do feel that more could have been done by all concerned to stimulate demand and enhance the airport to increase its popularity.
‘It has undoubtedly become an airport which had the primary function of taking people from in and around the Fylde coast away from the area on their holidays and, while we have built up positive inbound links from Ireland and the Isle of Man, it has not had the effect of bringing tourists in or creating the commercial business opportunities that we would have hoped.’
Cllr Jones said the council was keen for the site to remain an airfield and it will work with Balfour Beatty and Fylde and Wyre Councils to maximise the value of the site.
