The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Hopes sky high after Ministry of Defence tells of ambitions to increase use of Leuchars airfield
The roar of jets could again become a more common occurrence in the skies over north-east Fife after it emerged the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has ambitions to increase the use of Leuchars airfield by military and civilian aircraft.
However, the MoD has confirmed there is “no intention to permanently base military aircraft at Leuchars” amid speculation that RAF squadrons could be relocated to Fife just five years after the RAF base was controversially closed and handed over to the Army. In a Defence Infrastructure Organisation tendering document seen by The Courier which invites early- stage engagement from contractors who may be interested in building fuel storage facilities at Leuchars, it states there is “an appetite to increase usage of the airfield by UK military aircraft and other Nato partners both for exercises and operations, and to expand the use of commercial and business aircraft”.
The document, posted on a defence contractors’ website, states there is a “perceived demand for circa 5.5 million litres” of F 34 aviation fuel per annum at Leuchars with possible increasing demand from commercial aircraft.
Leuchars air field operated as RAF Leuchars until 2014 when, after a century of aviation, the airfield operations were downgraded, and the station was officially taken over by the Army in March 2015. A skeleton crew of 55 RAF personnel were retained to operate Leuchars as a diversionary airfield.
At that time the bulk fuel installations on site, and all related pipelines for fuel resupply, were closed and decommissioned.
However, the airfield at Leuchars continues to be used as a relief landing ground and exercise staging area, and, in non-Covid times, has been well used by private jets attending international golf tournaments in St Andrews, raking in £454,000 for the MoD in landing fees between 2008 and 2014 alone.
The MoD has previously said it is content “in principle” to speak to any organisation that wishes to look into the use of Leuchars as a commercial airfield – provided any plans reflect the fact it will continue to be a military base.
To support these ongoing activities, the MoD has confirmed it is examining potential options around fuel-related infrastructure and services for military and commercial use.