Blackpool Airport back in charge of operations

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Aerial photo Blackpool Airport 18 July 201908-03-2021

Blackpool Airport, owned by Blackpool Council is to bring the management & day-to-day airport operations back in-house.

Following a lengthy review & search to appoint a new operational management contractor, Blackpool Airport Operations Ltd (BAOL), Blackpool Council’s wholly owned subsidiary, has decided to take the operational licences back into its own name. Transfer of the CAA licences to operate the airport into BAOL Company’s name & under its direct control, is an early step in achieving the airport’s longer-term goals which are:

  • to maximise opportunities for growth
  • to achieve a greater level of control & flexibility to take sound investment decisions
  • to be more efficient & cost effective
  • to ensure a long-term, sustainable future for one of England’s oldest airports & a key strategic asset for the Fylde Coast.

This arrangement where the licences are held by the airport owner rather than the management contractor is the norm in the aviation industry & brings Blackpool into line with its peers in the sector. BAOL is working closely with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for this process to be completed later in the year, at which point the contract with the current licence holder Regional & City Airports (RCA) will expire.

RCA have done an excellent job in helping steer the airport through some difficult times in recent years, not least the ongoing pandemic, when the airport has remained fully operational throughout. RCA has pledged to work closely with BAOL, airport owners Blackpool Council & the CAA to ensure a smooth & seamless transition of the licences.

The changeover of the licences will not impact current job security & there will be no visible changes in the day-to-day operations at the airport for the foreseeable future, with Stephen Smith remaining as Airport Manager.

Cllr Campbell, Chair of the Board at Blackpool Airport Operations Ltd (BAOL) said, “The tender process for operational & management contracts has now come to an end & the Board has made the decision to bring the airport licences in-house.  BAOL & Blackpool Council thank RCA for all their hard work over the past few years are now working with them to facilitate a smooth transition of airport operations.

“We should not underestimate the size & complexity of the task ahead of us, but with the support & dedication of the airport staff, the Board have every confidence in the team to take our airport forward to a brighter, more sustainable & profitable future.”

Blackpool Council reacquired Blackpool Airport from Balfour Beatty in September 2017 for £4.25m via its ownership of Blackpool Airport Operations Ltd & Blackpool Airport Property Ltd, to save it from the risk of permanent closure & to secure its long-term future as part of the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone. To date Blackpool Council has invested nearly £2m in the upgrade & maintenance of essential infrastructure, with further significant investment planned.

 

Article provided by Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone

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