Originally Posted by
BKS Air Transport
The idea of Church Fenton has been played with before; at a time when public money might have been forthcoming for aviation schemes: it didn't happen then and it won't happen now.
Many millions would be needed to convert some concrete strips into a fully functioning public transport airfield, this is before the improvements to road/rail access issues are considered.
I cannot see any commercial organisation coming up with this money for what would be a hell of a gamble. If public money is needed, North Yorkshire (in whose area it lies) won't even subsidise evening and Sunday bus services, let alone some major aviation project. Sheffield and it's region can't be expected to pay for something which will clearly be viewed as being of major benefit to Leeds, nor will Bradford, Halifax etc. as it is located on the 'wrong' side of Leeds.
I agree that Yeadon is always going to be second best, and an airport to the south of Leeds, built during the 60s/70s near to the motorways would have been brilliant, but we are where we are, and the answer is to make the best of what there is.
As I said in a previous post if this massive opportunity is missed it will be down to politics. I am more optimistic because if someone is willing to upgrade finningley that serves urban Lincolnshire then some clued up businessman will at the very least get the tiny pea sized snowball rolling at the top of a pretty steep Yorkshire hill.