Originally Posted by
PIKAviationTours
There's a 99 year lease on the runways which was agreed between Scottish Aviation (now British Aerospace) and the then Ministry of Aviation in 1953 which ensures that the runways are kept should the tenants want them until at least 2052.
BAA sold the land for runway 21/03 to their Lynton Properties subsidiary and closed it back in the late 80s. I can't remember if it was Freeport related but bottom line is one runway was removed before the arrival of the BAe Flying College meant around 1/3 of it was re-opened? Or maybe only 2/3s was sold? But the land was left to rot for years before PIK Ltd rebuilt the full length. Losing the cross runway meant winter ops became tricky when the wind blew and diverts out became common.
Any new owned could see the land as having more
non aviation potential, hopefully a new owner understands that the business thrives because of the size and diversity of the whole airfield.