Carlisle Airport bosses confirm redundancies amid coronavirus

Bosses at Carlisle airport have confirmed they will have to make redundancies due to the coronavirus pandemic. Logan Air announced last week that they were not going to start flights out of Carlisle for the foreseeable future.

The owners of the airport said they were committed to reopening the airport for passenger planes, and business aviation, as soon as possible.

• Loganair to seek Government help as pandemic grounds some flights

• Carlisle Airport: Destinations, flights and setbacks

• All flights to be suspended from Carlisle Airport

A statement released by the airport reads: "Carlisle Lake District Airport continues to feel the impact of the global pandemic, with aviation one of the sectors hardest hit.

"The understandable decision by many airlines to cease operations for several months has seen a significant reduction in operations and bases closed across the country.

"This situation, which affects many regional airports across the UK, is of course deeply disappointing for all involved but as a result of this backdrop, Carlisle Lake District Airport is unable to resume passenger operations at this time."

A statement from Stobart group said: "“The situation, which affects many regional airports across the UK, is of course disappointing for all involved but as a result of this backdrop, CLDA is not currently in a position to secure a passenger airline agreement on commercial terms, with airlines currently focused on flights between major population hubs.

“The airport team is taking an innovative approach to identifying new opportunities in general aviation, business aviation, logistics and military flying. However, the loss of commercial operations is significant and without the associated operating income we need to review our staffing needs, which will inevitably lead to redundancies.

“We are committed to making Carlisle and Lake District Airport a success and are currently working on our recovery plan to reopen the airport.”

Carlisle's airport reintroduced passenger flights in July 2019, offering regular services to London Southend, Belfast and Dublin. All flights were grounded on 27 March when the coronavirus hit the UK.