Blackpool Airport potential closure

[kirkbymoorside]

How will the recent news (if it comes to pass) affect the offshore helicopter operation based at Blackpool?

Are there any alternative locations that could be used or could the helicopter operation survive even if fixed wing flying does not?

[bondu]

What about the North West Air Ambulance? :{

bondu

[Boudreaux Bob]

A while back I heard the Air Ambulance guys were moving out to Wesham.

[chopper2004]

Is not there a CHC operation with 365N3 also operating out of Blackpool Squires?

Cheers

[lowfat]

its Bond not chc

[Peter-RB]

Some of the deep pocket people who currently use Egnh should buy it from the company( Balfour I think) and run it properly its never really hit any big streaks but it does serve a useful purpose here in the North West, especially could be good for private Jets to be based their.

I think Blackpool Corporation sold off parts in the early part of this century, that really I feel started the Rot , but one thing in its favour (IMO) is that within a 50 mile radius live many millions of people who would use it if some body or some company with a bit of go got involved.
Simple things like a proper big enough car Park(s),
Freshen up all the older buildings.
Market it properly by putting some power into it
KEEP RYAN Air away from it.

Or make it a third landing spot for Heathrow..! that would be more sensible than building a third strip down there.

Peter R-B
Lancashire

[Bravo73]

The owners, Balfour Beatty (a construction company), want to turn the site into a housing estate. Does this really come as a surprise to anyone?

[jayteeto]

Worry not, the air ambulance operation will still deliver. It might cause a few logistical problems, but we will continue to put the aircraft online every day...... Somewhere.....

[Peter-RB]

Blackpool Corp would surely be able to veto any ripping up and building house's plans, its far better as it is than rows and rows of little box's.
But then construction companies have no heart or souls, they are in it for the shilling and then move on!

[Pozidrive]

There's also the adjacent Pontin's site, housing on there will be worth a lot more with no aircraft flying overhead.


Another piece in the jigsaw?

[heli1]

Haven't NWAA applied to move to Seacombe?

[jayteeto]

The Merseyside aircraft will be based at Seacombe, Cheshire at Barton and Lancs at Blackpool.

[kirkbymoorside]

A Google search reveals a page on the NWAA website headed "Announcement - exciting new service development"

https://nwaa.net/announcement-exciting-new-service-development

This states that the helicopter based at Barton will move to University Hospital of South Manchester in Wythenshawe and the Blackpool aircraft will relocate to the Royal Preston Hospital.

The page does not seem to be accessible from the NWAA homepage or news and is not dated so apologies if this is out of date. However given the Blackpool situation it could be current?

So if this is the case this clears up the NWAA helicopter so what about the Bond Helicopters serving the offshore rigs - what options are there for this service?

[jayteeto]

Old old announcement. My last post stands. Note use of word BASED, the hospitals are deployment sites from BASE.

[wokkaboy]

A while back I heard the Air Ambulance guys were moving out to Wesham.

Is this referring to PC's property?

If so, nice gesture but I would have thought Warton would have been a better option (full airfield facilities, more secure, etc) provided BAE are willing.

[heli1]

Errr Jayteetoo.......how can the Lanc aircraft be based at Blackpool if Blackpool is closing?

[jayteeto]

Now there's a clue in what you say.......... The air ambulance doesn't need it to be an airfield. Plus the press release says that Commercial Passenger Operations will cease. There are many options, including moving away from Bpl. However not everything is black and white yet.

[jayteeto]

Closure confirmed today :-(

[WhirlyWopter]

Very sad to hear about the closure at Blackpool - I've never been there myself but know it to be popular in the GA community. It will be missed!

[ec155]

With the closure of Blackpool Airport now confirmed for next Wednesday 15th October 2014, where does that leave Bond Offshore Helicopters with regard to continuing their offshore service?

[cyclic flare]

Blackpool maybe closing for commercial ops but it will still remain a GA airfield I'm told there will be some sort of air to ground radio operating from mid November

[helihub]

The owners are property developers. They bought the airport for a low price. Why would they allow it to reopen with an air-to-ground for GA when there is no money in it for them? Surely the strategic plan looks like this....

http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000r_Qarf5nSgY/s/600/480/AG00068.jpg

[Peter-RB]

There seems some confusing messages coming from the Blackpool Council, ..who it seems still own the actual Airfield, and are looking for a new tenant(s) for the Airport or buildings.

With all the people in this Lancashire area who have some connection with the "Blackpool Air Field" can we not get a proper story, for if it is no longer a regular airfield with an active ATC how will training enterprises carry on, or private corporate A/c hangered their do their stuff ?

Peter R-B
Lancashire

[Bravo73]

There seems some confusing messages coming from the Blackpool Council, ..who it seems still own the actual Airfield, and are looking for a new tenant(s) for the Airport or buildings.

I'm not sure which reports you are reading but the Council only own 5% of the airport. Balfour Beatty own the land (still) and it is only the (loss making) operating company that was put up for sale.

[jayteeto]

And "thats all folks"

[fisbangwollop]

Info from Westair at Blackpool.....
http://www.westair.uk.com/blackpoolairportnews.php
Blackpool Airport News

Wednesday, 15th October

We now have a copy of the Blackpool Airport Interim Indemnity pack including the BLK Interim Operations Conditions of Use. These can be downloaded using the link below:

Indemnity PDF Download

This agreement is only available to aircraft based at Blackpool although Westair will work with other owners and maintenance clients to facilitate use of the airport in this interim period. We do not forsee this being a major problem given sufficient notice (48 hours minimum at present).
A slot system is being put in place which will be very limiting for the first few days of operation. Once the slots system has been tried and tested we understand and expect the airport to allow more movements as soon as possible. For this reason it is very important that all users keep within the framework of the agreement. As slots are limited we urge owners/users to be fair and sensible with their slot requests, and not to try and abuse the system to their own advantage.
We understand that there is a plan to return to normal operations with ATC in place within 3-4 weeks and that fuel should be available during the interim period. During this interim period there will be a briefing pack available for pilots flying Westair aircraft. This will include revised weather and currency limits to ensure safe operation with the reduced facilities. Further meetings are being held between the airfield and based operators and airfield management on the afternoon of Monday 20/10/14. We will update this website with further information as it becomes available.


Tuesday, 14th October

You may have heard by now about Blackpool Airport's closure on 15th October 2014. This is a sad day for many of the staff at the airport, particularly those working with the terminal and international flights. Westair would like to pass on their thanks for all their hard work and support that the staff at Blackpool Airport have put in over the years and wish them all the best in the future.

Westair has been flying at Blackpool Airport for over 70 years, and in this time there have been several changes of owner, and operators and flights have come and gone. Westair has provided flight training and engineering services throughout these years and through all the changes, and we expect to do so this time too.

It is possible that on the 16th October and for a few days after we will experience some difficulties and disruptions to our plans whilst new arrangements come into effect at the airport. Please bear with us through this time. If any lessons or trial lessons are affected by this we will reschedule them to a date in the near future in the same way we would do for bad weather. We have been informed that interested parties including the CAA, the Airport landowners and Warton ATC are preparing a waiver document to enable operations to resume in the short term.