Posted On
Blackpool Airport has been nominated for a major business award because of recent investment to transform the company and prepare for future growth.
The airport has been shortlisted as one of the six top transformation projects in the county by leading business publication Lancashire Business View.
The nomination follows over £2 million of investment in the 114-year-old airport, including improvements to new airport lighting wiring systems, pavement and runway works, a new voice communication system for Air Traffic Control, and Directional Finder equipment.
Plans are also under way for the development of a new ATC system, new fuel farm and fire station, as well as development of both corporate aircraft and general aviation facilities.
In addition to the investment, the leadership at the airport has also completed a series of major milestones, including successful audits by the Civil Aviation Authority for its Aerodrome and Air Service Navigation Provider licences. Last year, the airport completed over 40,000 aircraft movements, an increase on the last pre-Covid year in 2019.
After twelve months of major improvements and investments, the airport is now looking forward to a bright future.
A new managing director, Steve Peters, has been appointed to help drive forward a strategy to make the airport successful, while plans are taking place for improvements that will include developing new hangars, air traffic control system and fire station, together with new roads to attract more new businesses to the site.
The airport is now implementing a 10-year business plan to increase and grow its profile , upgrading existing infrastructure and creating a long-term, commercially sustainable, future.
Steve Peters, Managing Director of Blackpool Airport, said: “A huge amount of effort has gone into transforming the airport over the last few years, and this nomination is a testament to the hard work of everybody involved in the airport.
“It also helps to put Blackpool Airport back on the map as a major regional transport hub with a clear plan for growth.”
Blackpool Airport is a thriving hub for business, medevac and general aviation and offers aircraft handling, parking, engineering and refuelling services, flight and instrument training as well as having facilities for executive lounges and crew briefing.
Blackpool Council reacquired Blackpool Airport from Balfour Beatty in September 2017 for £4.25m via its ownership of Blackpool Airport Operations Ltd and Blackpool Airport Property Ltd, to save it from the risk of permanent closure and to secure its long-term future as part of the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone.
For more information about Blackpool Airport, visit blackpoolairport.com
Notes to Editors:
For further information, please contact Enterprise Zones Communications Manager at Blackpool Council on 07442 883106.
Background Information - Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone
- Enterprise Zones are part of the Government’s wider Industrial Strategy to support businesses and enable local economic growth. Blackpool Airport was awarded enterprise status in 2016 until 2041.
- The Enterprise Zone is a 144 hectare site that includes Blackpool Airport, Blackpool Retail Park, Blackpool Business Park and surrounding land up to the border of Common Edge Road.
- The 144 hectare site is much larger than many of the other UK enterprise zones and straddles the boundary between the Borough of Fylde (55%) and Blackpool (45%). Much of the site sits within designated greenbelt and has multiple stakeholders, up to 20 freehold and long leasehold property interests and over 200 occupiers.
- Easy to get to from Jct 4 of the M55 motorway (10 minute drive), Blackpool South train station (5 minute walk)
- The purpose of the Enterprise Zone status is to:
- create jobs and long term sustainable growth
- unlock development sites
- build new roads, utilities and supporting housing and schools
- attract new business to the area
- The Enterprise Zone offers local businesses financial help to get started. By moving to the Enterprise Zone businesses can benefit from Enhanced Capital Allowances if a company decides to design and build their own building
- All the money collected through the new business rates generated on the EZ, over the 25 year lifespan, is kept by Blackpool Council as the accountable body (no cut given back to government) to re-invest in local economic growth. In addition, the Government is working actively with Enterprise Zones to help to unblock any barriers to delivery, such as support with transport infrastructure, environmental issues and providing advice on marketing zones to international investors.