Airport sold
Exclusive: £13m deal 'good for jobs and for passengers'
BLACKPOOL Airport has been sold in a deal which town hall bosses say will create hundreds of jobs and save council tax payers nearly a million pounds a year.
The loss-making airport, which is owned and operated by Blackpool Council, is due to pass into the hands of a private consortium as early as next Wednesday.
Under the £13m package the number of destinations on offer at the airport will grow, with the buyers pledging to increase the number of passengers from the current 240,000 to one million a year in just four years.
The buyers, a consortium led by Wolverhampton Airport operators City Hopper Ltd (CHAL), say they expect to sign a deal within a month with three or more major airlines.
Direct flights could take passengers to a range of European destinations.
The deal, which needs to be ratified by the executive and a special full council meeting on June 9, will see the town hall retain a five per cent share holding and a seat on the board.
This, the council says, will ensure the airport remains a key part of the town's regeneration plans. It also has the option to buy back the airport.
Julian Kearsley, strategic director of business services at the town hall, who helped broker the deal, said: "The airport is a key element in terms of developing the new Blackpool.
"It is not as if the council has sold off the family silver and lost any role in this.
"We wish to see the terminal continue as an airport as part of our ambitious plans for revitalising the whole area.
"This deal will see more jobs, it will save the council money and it protects the employment of people already there."
City Hopper Ltd's chairman, Graham Hampson Silk, said: "This deal has got to be good for Blackpool, not only as an area but also as a major tourist centre.
"The airport has not just the ability to take people from the North West on holiday and business trips but to bring in overseas tourists and business people. This will strengthen the local economy.
"We expect the airport to break even within 18 months and to be handling one million passengers in the next four years."
Coun Roy Fisher, leader of Blackpool Council, said: "The sale of Blackpool Airport once agreed will be great news for everyone in Blackpool.
"It really is a win, win, win situation. It will mean more jobs for local people along with more travel opportunities for the region and a saving to the council of over £1m a year.
"On the jobs front we are looking at hundreds over the next five years.
"In respect of travel there will be more direct flights to different European destinations and the £1 million plus saving could enable the council year on year to plough more money into other services like education and keeping the streets clean or to reduce the council tax.
"We have always recognised the potential of Blackpool Airport. Our success in attracting Ryanair proved the airport's popularity with local and regional travellers and was key in giving the airport a strong foundation for its future growth."
Coun Robert Wynne, portfolio holder for partnerships, business and companies, added: "A year ago the council set itself specific targets with regard to Blackpool Airport, we wanted more flights, particularly those that brought people to the town, we wanted more quality jobs and we wanted a better deal for the council taxpayer.
"This agreement fulfils all those objectives. "We will end up with a much better and busier airport at no cost whatsoever to the council taxpayer."
