Passenger projections slashed by over 25%
16.09.07
Blackpool Airport hopes to see passenger numbers expand more than fivefold in the next 10 years, but it has cut its projection for the number of travellers who will pass through its terminal this year by over 25%.
A new Master Plan for the airport has scaled down passenger numbers for 2007 to 550,000, from previous projections of 750,000, a drop of 26.7%. However, plans for future growth could see passengers reach 2.7m in 2015 and 3.4m in 2030.
The revised estimate for 2007 comes after key routes to London Stansted, Amsterdam and Prague were scrapped earlier this year. The reduced likelihood of a supercasino for the town also had an impact on future passengers.
Sue Kendrick, Communications Manager Blackpool Airport, said: 'This year we have lost Stansted, Amsterdam and Prague routes run by Ryanair and Jet2, which has affected our passenger numbers. However, things change very quickly in this industry and new routes are constantly being sought.'
'We are actively pursuing a London route, as the previous Stansted service was very popular. This could be to Gatwick, Luton or City airport.'
'It is important to note that the masterplan is not a planning document but an aspirational document. Every airport in the country needs to complete one for the Government.'
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