Blackpool Airport to reopen for scheduled flights

[thenorthern]

I don't think there has been a thread on this yet but I have noticed that Blackpool Airport it to reopen to scheduled fligts again on the 1st of April with new owners.

From a personal point of view I feel yes the airport is good for business in Blackpool but I can't see it being ever viable. With a half hourly service to Manchester Airport and hourly to Liverpool South Parkway for Liverpool John Lennon Airport I can't see the demand for flights in Blackpool ever taking off.

I feel that Blackpool Airport will again join the long list of Kent, Sheffield City, Swansea, Plymouth City, Coventry and Shoreham of small regional airports that tried to be big in that 1995-2007 period that failed and are now closed or just used by private aircraft.

What does everyone else think?

 

[Clip]

I guess itll be handy for any diversions from Manchester but apart from freight I cant see any need for it.

 

[WatcherZero]

As I understand it Citywing started taking bookings again in February for flights from April but there has not yet been a deal to reopen the airport to larger traffic. Blackpool Council have to pay £20,000 to have the airport regraded from Category 2 to back to category 3 and the CAA has to be happy with the provision of emergency cover which ended when the operator went bust. The Airport employed 100 staff previously but now only employs 33 so they also need to ramp up the staff count again and work out how it will be paid for.

 

[thenorthern]

One way it could become profitable is to work on Blackpool's tourist appeal overseas, Blackpool itself has been very popular with British tourists since the start of the railways but its never had that appeal to overseas visitors in the same way.

Mind you though would you recommend Blackpool to someone from Germany, Poland or Slovakia?

 

[WestCoast]

I used to live within a short bus ride of Blackpool Airport and had relatives that worked there. It did grow to become quite a well connected airport for its size. It's limited in its catchment in that it's coastal, to the West is the Irish Sea. It's easily reached from most of Lancashire, Cumbria and beyond but so are Manchester and Liverpool Airports from many places. It had a chance in the early 2000s with the then chirpy low cost airlines, when Ryanair had not yet established large bases at Manchester or Liverpool.

Before Ryanair came with services to Dublin (later Stansted and Girona) in about 2003ish, it was fairly quiet with just two weekly regular charter flights and the Isle of Man flights. IIRC Monarch was the first to offer a short-lived scheduled service to Malaga in about 2005ish, which started the whole focus on the Spanish sun flights. When Ryanair left allegedly because of the airport development fee, Jet2 had already set up base and the focus was on serving holiday destinations, this worked well especially as Jet2 has become more like a quasi tour operator with Jet2Holidays. But Jet2 and Blackpool Airport were never a match made in heaven, the deal given to them, like Ryanair before it, was said to not cover the costs.

Jet2 was very happy with their routes performance and had launched more which were to start this year. It's said that Blackpool Airport wanted rid of the Jet2 base for the fact it was not covering their costs. They tried that with the late hours court case before, and that shutting the airport was the final way to get out of the deal.

With a half hourly service to Manchester Airport and hourly to Liverpool South Parkway for Liverpool John Lennon Airport I can't see the demand for flights in Blackpool ever taking off.

Isn't TPE direct to Manchester Airport from Blackpool North is still hourly though, not that it makes much of a difference to airport users. It's a great connection that runs very early and late, making it ideal for flights. Liverpool Airport from the Fylde is much more hassle on the train, doesn't run as early/late, not every train is direct, takes longer and you still have to catch a bus from South Parkway to the Airport.

As WatcherZero says I believe it's far from a done deal due to the factors outlined in the above post. However, Citywing and all the other airlines before it have operated Blackpool - Isle of Man with small aircraft successfully for many, many years. They operate as the sole commercial airline out of Gloucestershire Airport, with a low key operation with just a couple of terminal staff required. I could imagine the same could be replicated in Blackpool.

 

[D6975]

Mind you though would you recommend Blackpool to someone from Germany, Poland or Slovakia?

You jest Sir....
As it was when I was young, yes, but not now.
If you want them to come back and spend more money, that is. If you don't want them to come again, then Blackpool is an admirable choice.

 

[telstarbox]

More overseas visitors visited Bedford and Tunbridge Wells than Blackpool last year (source: Visit Britain, http://www.visitbritain.org/insightsandstatistics/inboundvisitorstatistics/regions/towns.aspx)

I just don't think Blackpool has enough to offer foreign tourists. The Pleasure Beach and Tower are good, as is the pier and other seaside bits, but as soon as you get away from the promenade the town is mostly down-at-heel.

Visitors after a classic seaside town will find Brighton more appealing.

 

[Busaholic]

I don't think there has been a thread on this yet but I have noticed that Blackpool Airport it to reopen to scheduled fligts again on the 1st of April with new owners.

From a personal point of view I feel yes the airport is good for business in Blackpool but I can't see it being ever viable. With a half hourly service to Manchester Airport and hourly to Liverpool South Parkway for Liverpool John Lennon Airport I can't see the demand for flights in Blackpool ever taking off.

I feel that Blackpool Airport will again join the long list of Kent, Sheffield City, Swansea, Plymouth City, Coventry and Shoreham of small regional airports that tried to be big in that 1995-2007 period that failed and are now closed or just used by private aircraft.

What does everyone else think?

By coincidence, a report has just come out saying that Plymouth could have a future if landing slots could be found at an 'international hub' which I take to mean Heathrow but might include Gatwick. It was scarce London slots which put paid to the service before.

 

[thenorthern]

Isn't TPE direct to Manchester Airport from Blackpool North is still hourly though, not that it makes much of a difference to airport users. It's a great connection that runs very early and late, making it ideal for flights. Liverpool Airport from the Fylde is much more hassle on the train, doesn't run as early/late, not every train is direct, takes longer and you still have to catch a bus from South Parkway to the Airport.

Yes it is hourly I thought there was a Northern Rail as well but I was thinking of something else.

By coincidence, a report has just come out saying that Plymouth could have a future if landing slots could be found at an 'international hub' which I take to mean Heathrow but might include Gatwick. It was scarce London slots which put paid to the service before.

I can't see Plymouth Airport can ever work but they can try again.

 

[GrimsbyPacer]

More overseas visitors visited Bedford and Tunbridge Wells than Blackpool last year (source: Visit Britain, http://www.visitbritain.org/insightsandstatistics/inboundvisitorstatistics/regions/towns.aspx)

I just don't think Blackpool has enough to offer foreign tourists. The Pleasure Beach and Tower are good, as is the pier and other seaside bits, but as soon as you get away from the promenade the town is mostly down-at-heel.

Visitors after a classic seaside town will find Brighton more appealing.

And what do Bedford and Tunbridge have that's better than Blackpool??
I've never been to those towns but Blackpool is my favourite seaside town because of it's trams, the illuminations and the size of the place compared with smaller town resorts like Whitby and Penzance which are fine but have less reason to stay long. And Blackpool has 3 piers.

It's just because London and Scotland are best advitised overseas and Bedford and Tunbridge are well connected to London.
For "classic" seaside resorts it has to be Scarborough as that was the first. I don't understand Brighton's appeal to Londoners at all, it's got a pebble beach with no sand so why go there on a family holiday??

 

[scott118]

April 1st?

 

[Greenback]

I think it's a waste of time. Small regional airports have no future. Swansea airport has never had any ambitions. Air Wales was a local business that tried to operate out of there, and they were the driving force, the airport has never been very interested in scheduled flights.

 

[freetoview33]

I don't think there has been a thread on this yet but I have noticed that Blackpool Airport it to reopen to scheduled fligts again on the 1st of April with new owners.

From a personal point of view I feel yes the airport is good for business in Blackpool but I can't see it being ever viable. With a half hourly service to Manchester Airport and hourly to Liverpool South Parkway for Liverpool John Lennon Airport I can't see the demand for flights in Blackpool ever taking off.

I feel that Blackpool Airport will again join the long list of Kent, Sheffield City, Swansea, Plymouth City, Coventry and Shoreham of small regional airports that tried to be big in that 1995-2007 period that failed and are now closed or just used by private aircraft.

What does everyone else think?

I can't see Blackpool doing well just for the pure reason it is close to Liverpool and Manchester Airports. Which is the same reason for most of the other ones you mentioned.

Shoreham is too small and doesn't really have an area to serve (Portsmouth is served by Southampton Airport) Brighton itself is served by Gatwick. And you have Lydd Airport which is almost in the same category but could have potential (In the fact it is close to Ashford, Folkestone and Dover)

Kent, did have a lot going for it in the fact it had a long runway and was close to the railway, but wasn't really in the best of places to serve many people (Other than Margate and Ramsgate)

Plymouth, had the problem of being too small and another short runway. But if you were starting from scratch Plymouth would be a much better place for an airport than Exeter and Newquay. As it is in the centre of Devon/Cornwall. Newquay is a bit too far away from most people (But is big) and Exeter is a bit too close to Bristol. If say the runway at Plymouth was almost double the size then I think it would be very busy to the extent I think Exeter and Newquay might well have closed.

Coventry is an awkward one, yes it is close to Birmingham but a lot of major cities can handle two airports. (e.g Manchester/Liverpool) So I think we could well see passenger flights from Coventry again sooner or later. Wouldn't surprise me if Ryanair decided to start up a base there.

Sheffield was too small as well plus the Peel Airports were opening and investing in Robin Hood Airport nearby and being in close proximity to (East Midlands/Humberside/Leeds and Manchester)

Swansea is the same as well, too small, too close to Cardiff (Which was also struggling. Maybe one or two flights from Haverfordwest might work, to Dublin and Amsterdam (As it is further away, but the market is too small)

Tees Valley airport is another odd one as it is in a good location near Middlesbrough (Which I personally think would be a better name for the airport) it has a decent sized runway and is close to the railway. It would be a real shame if it were to close. In my eyes it could be easy to do, firstly build a new railway station which is fit for purpose, secondly I would rename it Middlesbrough International Airport (Just as I think that would attract more business). And the third thing being a long shot, slightly reroute the proposed London - Middlesbrough train via the Airport. And the most important thing is to convince an airline to set up base there, either a tour operator and or a low cost airline, and maybe even a flight to Heathrow)

 

[Busaholic]

Yes it is hourly I thought there was a Northern Rail as well but I was thinking of something else.



I can't see Plymouth Airport can ever work but they can try again.

If anything were to happen again at Dawlish it could work very well indeed.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

And what do Bedford and Tunbridge have that's better than Blackpool??
I've never been to those towns but Blackpool is my favourite seaside town because of it's trams, the illuminations and the size of the place compared with smaller town resorts like Whitby and Penzance which are fine but have less reason to stay long. And Blackpool has 3 piers.

It's just because London and Scotland are best advitised overseas and Bedford and Tunbridge are well connected to London.
For "classic" seaside resorts it has to be Scarborough as that was the first. I don't understand Brighton's appeal to Londoners at all, it's got a pebble beach with no sand so why go there on a family holiday??

I've tried my best (well, one letter in the local rag) to get the idea accepted of a tram line along Penzance Promenade ala Seaton but received no support! It would do wonders for the tourist trade and spice up a perennially neglected area.

 

[Robertj21a]

And what do Bedford and Tunbridge have that's better than Blackpool??
I've never been to those towns but Blackpool is my favourite seaside town because of it's trams, the illuminations and the size of the place compared with smaller town resorts like Whitby and Penzance which are fine but have less reason to stay long. And Blackpool has 3 piers.

It's just because London and Scotland are best advitised overseas and Bedford and Tunbridge are well connected to London.
For "classic" seaside resorts it has to be Scarborough as that was the first. I don't understand Brighton's appeal to Londoners at all, it's got a pebble beach with no sand so why go there on a family holiday??

Blackpool is fine along the seafront/promenade area. Unfortunately, that's all of it as many of the areas immediately behind are, nowadays, very run down. I can see why it still appeals to the Scots on their annual holidays, and to Stag and Hen outings but there won't now be the large crowds of holidaymakers that it used to attract.

I'm struggling to think of anything that would attract foreign tourists unless they are bingo, fish & chips, or tram fans.

 

[thenorthern]

Carlisle Lake District Airport opens in the summer to scheduled flights, I wonder how long that will take to fail.

People forget that Carlisle isn't that big as it only has a population of 75,000 which is less than that of Tamworth. By the looks of it the destinations are Dublin and London Southend which given that Carlisle currently has a half-hourly service to London I can't see a scheduled London flight working.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Just read in the Blackpool Gazette there is something about Blackpool Airport in the Budget on how its going to be supported by the Treasury as an enterprise zone. I can't help but feel if Blackpool Airport can't survive on its own should the Tax Payer really be propping it up?

 

[WatcherZero]

I know of two other state subsidised airports, Glasgow Prestwick and Newquay, may be more.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Blackpool is fine along the seafront/promenade area. Unfortunately, that's all of it as many of the areas immediately behind are, nowadays, very run down. I can see why it still appeals to the Scots on their annual holidays, and to Stag and Hen outings but there won't now be the large crowds of holidaymakers that it used to attract.

I'm struggling to think of anything that would attract foreign tourists unless they are bingo, fish & chips, or tram fans.

That was the idea behind the mega-casino which Blackpool looked to be getting a few years ago, before the scheme collapsed through certain interferences.

 

[BestWestern]

Blackpool is fine along the seafront/promenade area. Unfortunately, that's all of it as many of the areas immediately behind are, nowadays, very run down. I can see why it still appeals to the Scots on their annual holidays, and to Stag and Hen outings but there won't now be the large crowds of holidaymakers that it used to attract.

I'm struggling to think of anything that would attract foreign tourists unless they are bingo, fish & chips, or tram fans.

I'd agree entirely. Blackpool is, slowly, improving, but desperately needs to rid itself of the nasty tacky crap which still reigns supreme. The seafront, whilst being redeveloped in many places, still has the lingering horridness of outlets flogging absolute tat and food that you wouldn't give a dog. The backstreets are the same. Trouble is, how do you drag yourself out of the gutter whilst still clinging to the stag/hen parties who ultimately drag the place down. I think it will happen, but it's a difficult transition.

 

[neilmc]

The idea of tourists from Germany, Poland or Slovakia making a beeline to

a) see trams
b) eat fish and chips
c) play bingo

is a hilarious one.

Anyone from any of those countries could visit beautiful historic cities, scenic countryside, reliably warm, sunny beaches and gastronomic delights without needing to cross the channel. Parts of Britain - notably wild Scotland and London - do have things to offer the continental tourist but sadly not Blackpool.

"Lingering horridness" is a great summary, and now that Leyland PD3s and everyday historic trams are no more, I might as well go to Morecambe.

 

[northwichcat]

I'm struggling to think of anything that would attract foreign tourists unless they are bingo, fish & chips, or tram fans.

Can't afford to go to Paris and go up the Eiffel Tower?

Do the illuminations attract many foreigners to visit Blackpool (even if they are based in the UK for work/study/other)?

 

[thenorthern]

Blackpool pleasure beach could gain a few intentional tourists, its very common for British tourists to visit Disneyland or Disneyland Florida but its not very common for foreign tourists to visit British Theme Parks.

If British Theme Parks did branch out to overseas visitors it would finally mean there would be a Stoke-on-Trent International Airport to serve Alton Towers.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Has there not been a very recent strategic plan announced that incorporates Blackpool Airport within its remit?

 

[WestCoast]

It's been officially confirmed that Citywing will recommence double daily flights from Blackpool to the Isle of Man, with a through connection available to Belfast City, from the 1st April. No April Fools!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-31996013

Just to wade in on the foreign tourists in Blackpool debate, well I'm originally from Blackpool and an Austrian friend of mine really wanted to go. Having grown up there, I really didn't think a person from Vienna would like it, but he thought the Pleasure Beach, Tower and Seafront were fantastic on a sunny afternoon. It did help that I could show him all the nicer spots which many visitors don't see (like the sand dunes, Stanley Park or Lytham St Anne's to the south).

 

[thenorthern]

I can see the point of the Isle of Man flights. I remember when Ryanair flew out of Blackpool for a while which was a point when Blackpool Airport started to think it was bigger than it really was.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

It did help that I could show him all the nicer spots which many visitors don't see (like the sand dunes, Stanley Park or Lytham St Anne's to the south).

Well done, I offer you my most heartiest thanks. These are all places that those who visit Blackpool from abroad may not have the chance to see.

 

[Busaholic]

It's been officially confirmed that Citywing will recommence double daily flights from Blackpool to the Isle of Man, with a through connection available to Belfast City, from the 1st April. No April Fools!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-31996013

Just to wade in on the foreign tourists in Blackpool debate, well I'm originally from Blackpool and an Austrian friend of mine really wanted to go. Having grown up there, I really didn't think a person from Vienna would like it, but he thought the Pleasure Beach, Tower and Seafront were fantastic on a sunny afternoon. It did help that I could show him all the nicer spots which many visitors don't see (like the sand dunes, Stanley Park or Lytham St Anne's to the south).

About once every three years Lancashire play a four day county cricket match at Stanley Park - taking them there would probably either make them an Anglophile for life or get them screaming to the nearest plane to take them home again.

 

[neilmc]

I just read in the free paper that Blackpool is actually in the top ten UK towns to be visited by foreign tourists, which is quite impressive considering the distance from London or a regional airport!

Maybe familiarity (and getting old) breeds contempt?

 

[TrainfanBen]

I think Blackpool airport has a positive role to play in regeneration across Lancashire, if the right airlines and services can be attracted then it has a positive future.

To me, its a shame that economic policy favours London rather than its regional airports, I know that policy has to reflect the needs of the airlines, but some of them have been rather short sighted.

Trends in global air traffic are increasing (Correlation with global population is one factor). Only time will tell if regional airports can adapt to this to create a demand for more services, in the case of Blackpool I think its possible, but it will be a struggle.

The paradox in my mind is that operators like Ryanair probably take a net number of people abroad on holidays from Blackpool than bringing tourists in.

Its a bittersweet pill for the airport. I wish it all the luck though.

 

[Bald Rick]

I just read in the free paper that Blackpool is actually in the top ten UK towns to be visited by foreign tourists, which is quite impressive considering the distance from London or a regional airport!

That will be counting Scotland as foreign.