£8m financial lifeline for regional airports

LIFELINES worth £8m each are on the way for Exeter and Newquay Airports after the combination of the collapse of Flybe and the coronavirus pandemic had placed the future of both in doubt.

Passenger numbers are down by up to 90% year-on-year and without some financial support, both airports could have faced the worst case scenario of closure. Councillors in Cornwall were told earlier this month that Newquay Cornwall Airport was not financially viable.

In Devon, East Devon councillors at the end of September had agreed to a further deferral of £180,000 of business rate relief and forward-funding Exeter Airport’s share of the Long Lane enhancement scheme to the tune of nearly £750,000.

But now, regional airports, including Exeter Airport, the airport on the Isles Of Scilly, Land’s End Airport and Newquay, will be able to apply for dedicated financial support. If granted it provide business rates relief and cover fixed costs up to £8million per airport.

The scheme will open for applications in January and follows calls by East Devon MP Simon Jupp to help secure financial support to protect the future of Exeter Airport.

Mr Jupp said: “I warmly welcome the decision by Government to provide business rates relief for regional airports.

“I raised my concerns with the Prime Minister and Chancellor after passenger numbers at Exeter Airport dropped by 95% and they recognised the need to support our airport.”