Hi, I have attached a quote from our local Friday paper as to the upto date news about Carlisle Airport.
All wording is borrowed from 'The Cumberland News / News & Star'
A link can also be found here http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/vi...aspx?id=389844
Airline: Cumbria flights ‘an option’
Published on 14/07/2006
By Mark Preskett
RYANAIR’S UK sales boss said CarlisleAirport could be an option for the low-cost carrier if the right infrastructure at the airfield was in place.
On a visit to the north east this week, Karl Hogstadius said Ryanair looked at an airport’s infrastructure – such as whether it can take larger 737 planes – and if the airline can negotiate a low-cost deal when deciding which airports to fly from.
CarlisleAirport was recently taken over by Cumbrian businessman Andrew Tinkler, who has unveiled £20 million plans to turn it into an international transport hub.
Mr Tinkler aims to make the Crosby-on-Eden airfield a base for an airfreight company, Stobart Air, and to bring in international passenger flights.
Speaking to the News & Star, Mr Hogstadius said: “We’re currently in negotiation with 50 airports across Europe and we always look at the same things – whether the infrastructure is in place to take larger planes and if we can negotiate a low-cost deal.
“We also look at the potential in the catchment area surrounding the airport.
“If Carlisle can offer the right things, we would consider talking with them.”
CarlisleAirport currently has a 12.5 tonne weight restriction on it due to the quality of the existing runway.
Mr Tinkler plans to either build a new, longer runway which would run parallel to the existing one, or upgrade the current runway.
This would allow larger 737 and freight planes to fly in and out of the city airfield.
Irish carrier Ryanair said it was continuing its rapid expansion programme having started flying from eight new airports in the past six months.
Mr Hogstadius said talks are taking place with both UK and European airfields about future tie-ins.
According to accounts filed at Companies House, CarlisleAirport made an annual loss of more than £1 million in the year to July 30, 2004.
The figures were revealed in the accounts of Norbrook Laboratories, which was formerly the parent company of the airport before former owner Lord Ballyedmond, of CorbyCastle, Great Corby, sold the airfield to Mr Tinkler.
The haulage tycoon’s plans for CarlisleAirport include laying a new runway and building a multi-million pound departure and arrivals lounge which has access from the A689.
Regards
AG