No prospect of Plymouth airport reopening

Two new studies from leading aviation experts have highlighted the extent of the economic, legislative and physical barriers to a commercially sustainable airport operation ever being re-established at the former Plymouth airport site.

More than two years after the closure of Plymouth City Airport, not one of the ‘five tests’ set by Plymouth City Council for the private sector to come up with a workable plan to reopen the airport has been met.

The City Council invited potential operators to come forward with proposals, and had pledged to 'clarify the future' of the airport site.

The only organisation to come forward with an interest of reopening the airport has been campaign group Viable, though it has never published a business plan, or explained how it would operate without public subsidy.

Today's report by respected international aviation experts Fjøri and acoustic consultants Bickerdike Allen Partners, highlighted problems the group could face.

Now eyes will turn to Sutton Harbour Holdings Plc, who unveiled a draft masterplan for redeveloping the site in 2012. Talks are underway with the City Council with a view to submitting a planning application.

John Andrews reports:-