Blackpool Airport

{{Short description|Airport in Lancashire, England}} {{Use British English|date=October 2012}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}} {{Infobox airport | name = Blackpool Airport | nativename-a = | nativename-r = | image = Blackpool Airport logo.svg | image-width = 200 | image2-width = 250 | IATA = BLK | ICAO = EGNH | type = Public | owner = [[Blackpool Council]] | operator = Blackpool Airport Operations Ltd. | city-served = [[Blackpool]] | location = [[St Annes-on-the-Sea]], Lancashire, England | elevation-f = 34 | coordinates = {{coord|53|46|18|N|003|01|43|W|type:airport_region:GB-BPL|display=inline,title}} | pushpin_map = Lancashire#United Kingdom Borough of Fylde#United Kingdom Blackpool | pushpin_label = EGNH | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Lancashire##Location in Fylde Borough##Location relative to Blackpool | website = {{URL|http://www.blackpoolairport.com}} | metric-rwy = Y | r1-number = 10/28 | r1-length-m = 1,868 | r1-surface = [[Asphalt concrete|Asphalt]] | r2-number = 13/31 | r2-length-m = 998 | r2-surface = [[Asphalt concrete|Asphalt]] | stat-year = 2024 | stat1-header = Aircraft Movements | stat1-data = 38,735 | stat2-header = {{nowrap|Movements change 23-24}} | stat2-data = {{decrease}}0.47% | footnotes = <br /> Sources: UK [[Aeronautical Information Publication|AIP]] at [[National Air Traffic Services|NATS]]<ref name="NATS81">{{cite web|url=http://www.nats-uk.ead-it.com/public/index.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26task%3Dblogcategory%26id%3D32%26Itemid%3D81.html|title=Blackpool – EGNH|publisher=[[National Air Traffic Services]]|access-date=24 January 2009|archive-date=16 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516191851/http://www.nats-uk.ead-it.com/public/index.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26task%3Dblogcategory%26id%3D32%26Itemid%3D81.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> <br /> Statistics from the [[Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom)|Civil Aviation Authority]]<ref name="stats2015">{{cite web |url=http://www.caa.co.uk/uploadedFiles/CAA/Content/Standard_Content/Data_and_analysis/Datasets/Airport_stats/Airport_data_2015_12/December_2015_Provisional_Airport_Statistics.pdf |title=PROVISIONAL CAA AIRPORT STATISTICS FOR DECEMBER 2015 |publisher=[[Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom)|UK Civil Aviation Authority]] |date=22 January 2016 |access-date=26 January 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208031131/http://www.caa.co.uk/uploadedFiles/CAA/Content/Standard_Content/Data_and_analysis/Datasets/Airport_stats/Airport_data_2015_12/December_2015_Provisional_Airport_Statistics.pdf |archive-date=8 February 2016 }}</ref> }}

'''Blackpool Airport''' {{Airport codes|BLK|EGNH}} is an [[airport]] on [[the Fylde]] coast of [[Lancashire]], England, in the [[Borough of Fylde]], just outside the Borough of [[Blackpool]]. It was formerly known as '''Squires Gate Airport''' and '''Blackpool International Airport'''.

Ownership of the airport has changed a number of times over the years. The airport was wholly owned by Blackpool Borough Council until 2004, when it was sold to a consortium led by Wolverhampton Airport operators City Hopper Ltd (CHAL),<ref name="Pprune132545">{{cite news|url=http://www.pprune.org/airlines-airports-routes/132545-blackpool-airport-sold.html |title=Blackpool Airport Sold|last=Bear|first=Buster the|date=8 June 2004|publisher=The Professional Pilot's Rumor Network|access-date=25 August 2017}}</ref> who operated it until May 2008 when [[Balfour Beatty]] purchased MAR Property's 95% stake.<ref name="scotsman4388461">{{cite news|url=http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/business/Publicsector-work-lifts-Balfour-Beatty.4388461.jp |title=Public-sector work lifts Balfour Beatty|last=Bradley|first=Jane|date=14 August 2008|publisher=[[The Scotsman]]|access-date=24 January 2009}}</ref> Blackpool Borough Council retained 5%.<ref name="gazette4393758">{{cite news|url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/blackpoolnews/Profit-rise-for-Blackpool-airport.4393758.jp|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130420023409/http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/blackpoolnews/Profit-rise-for-Blackpool-airport.4393758.jp|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 April 2013|title=Profit rise for Blackpool airport owners|last=Parkinson|first=Shelagh|date=15 August 2008|work=[[Blackpool Gazette]]|access-date=24 January 2009}}</ref> During 2014 Balfour Beatty claimed to be looking for a buyer for the airport, and then after just one month announced that it was to close the Airport. On 15 October 2014, the airport's terminal and Air Traffic Control provision was closed, with the last scheduled flights to [[Dublin Airport|Dublin]] and the [[Isle of Man Airport|Isle of Man]] leaving in the late afternoon. In November 2014, the former company formed a new company, called Squires Gate Airport Operations Ltd, and the airport reopened once again in December 2014 for non-commercial operations.

Executive flights are operated by Hangar 3 Blackpool Ltd, which offer access to a private aircraft hangar and private aircraft management as well as a flight briefing room and lounge facilities. NHV Helicopters operate helicopter services to the offshore oil and gas facilities in the [[Irish Sea]], using two Agusta Westland helicopters from a purpose-built helicopter terminal facility. Blackpool Airport is also home to one of three [[Eurocopter EC135]] helicopters operated by the [[North West Air Ambulance]] service; the other two helicopters operate from [[Manchester Barton Aerodrome|Manchester Barton]] and are regular visitors to Blackpool. UK Aviation Services (formerly J-Max Air Services) specialise in the maintenance and repair of corporate and commercially owned helicopters. The company holds EASA Part 145 approvals for various Bell, Leonardo, Sikorsky, Airbus, Robinson, Guimbal and MD helicopters.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.ukaviationservices.com/engineering| title = Engineering – UKAS}}</ref> There are many other companies situated on the airfield which offer flying lessons, training, private aircraft hire and maintenance facilities.

Blackpool Airport Limited has a [[Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom)|Civil Aviation Authority]] (CAA) Public Use Aerodrome Licence (Number P724) that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction. Passenger numbers peaked in 2007, with over 550,000 passing through the airport, but had fallen to 235,238 in 2012. In 2014, the last year of commercial operations, the airport handled 223,372 passengers, a drop of 15% compared to the 2013 stats; this is due to the stats running from 1 January until the closure of the airport on 15 October.<ref name="stats">{{cite web|url=http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=80&pagetype=88&pageid=3&sglid=3 |title=UK Annual Airport Statistics|publisher=[[Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom)|Civil Aviation Authority]]|access-date=6 April 2014}}</ref>

The airport is served by [[Squires Gate railway station]].

==History== The airport site's first aviation use was in October 1909, when the UK's first official public Flying Meeting was held on a specially laid out site at [[Squires Gate]], followed by another in 1910. Between 1911 and 1915 the site became [[Blackpool Racecourse]], and it was used as a military hospital during [[World War I]] and until 1924. Flights from the site resumed in the early 1930s. Small UK airlines used the airfield during the mid-1930s. [[Railway Air Services]] commenced schedules to Blackpool from 15 April 1935, linking the airport with the Isle of Man, Manchester and Liverpool. Connections could be made at the two cities to London and the south and west of England.<ref name="ras47">{{cite book|title=Railway Air Services|last=Stroud|first=John|date=20 July 1987|publisher=Ian Allan Ltd|isbn=978-0-7110-1743-6|page=47}}</ref> In June 1937, airline operations were transferred to [[Stanley Park Aerodrome]].<ref name="ras129">{{cite book|title=Railway Air Services|last=Stroud|first=John|date=20 July 1987|publisher=Ian Allan Ltd|isbn=978-0-7110-1743-6|page=129}}</ref> The sister of aviation pioneer [[Amy Johnson]] lived in Stanley Park, resulting in her often paying a visit; Johnson's last complete flight was a ferry flight for the [[Air Transport Auxiliary]] from Squires Gate to Oxford.<ref name=MiPRAFSG/>

===RAF Squires Gate=== [[File:Squires Gate vertical 10.08.45.jpg|thumb|right|RAF Squires Gate in summer 1945. The [[Vickers Armstrongs|Vickers]] factory is top right with 23 Wellington bombers scattered below. Avro Ansons of the No. 3 School of General Reconnaissance can be seen at top and lower right]] [[File:Royal Air Lao Vickers Viscount Groves-2.jpg|thumb|right|A [[Royal Air Lao]] [[Vickers Viscount]] at the airport in 1968.]] Work on enlarging and improving the airfield and facilities began in late 1937, but the aerodrome was requisitioned by the [[Air Ministry]] in 1938.<ref name="ras128">{{cite book|title=Railway Air Services|last=Stroud|first=John|date=20 July 1987|publisher=Ian Allan Ltd|isbn=978-0-7110-1743-6|page=128}}</ref> Three bituminous runways were laid to support operations, with squadrons stationed at RAF Squires Gate during [[World War II]] including:<ref name="Pooley">{{cite book|last=Pooley|first=Robert|title=Air Touring Flight Guide – United Kingdom – 1966|publisher=The Light Aircraft Publishing Company Limited|year=1966|page=48}}</ref>

* [[No. 63 Squadron RAF|No. 63 Squadron]], September 1939 to January 1940 * [[No. 75 Squadron RAF|No. 75 Squadron]], September 1939 to January 1940 * [[No. 215 Squadron RAF|No. 215 Squadron]], September 1939 to January 1940 * [[No. 96 Squadron RAF|No. 96 Squadron]] * [[No. 256 Squadron RAF|No. 256 Squadron]] * [[No. 308 Polish Fighter Squadron]], September 1940 - October 1941 [[RAF Coastal Command]] also established an operational base on site, and expanded [[RAF Warton]] to act as a satellite airfield.

====Training wing==== The RAF also selected Blackpool as one of its training wings due to the availability of accommodation. Training was based between Squires Gate and the [[British Army]] camps at [[Weeton Barracks|Weeton]] and [[Kirkham, Lancashire|Kirkham]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.controltowers.co.uk/S/Squires_Gate.htm|title=RAF Squires Gate|publisher=ControlTowers.co.uk|access-date=16 August 2010}}</ref> utilising the large number of [[guest house]]s, plus the beaches, pier, and the [[Blackpool Winter Gardens|Winter Gardens]] for exercising; 769,673 recruits received their [[basic training]] at Blackpool. The RAF also established two specialist training schools: * No. 3 School of General Reconnaissance * No. 5 School of Technical Training, for air mechanics

====Vickers shadow factory==== The [[Ministry of Aircraft Production]] erected a shadow aircraft factory during 1939–1940 in the north-east corner of the airfield to enable [[Vickers-Armstrongs]] to operate an aircraft production facility at Squires Gate. This produced 2,584 [[Vickers Wellington|Wellington]] [[medium bomber]]s, several hundred of which were assembled and flown from Stanley Park Aerodrome before landing at Squires Gate for testing and delivery. The first was completed in September 1940 and the last in October 1945, when the factory closed.<ref>Smith, 1981, pp. 178-179</ref>

The factory was reopened by [[Hawker Aircraft]] in the mid-1950s to augment the production of [[Hawker Hunter]] jet [[Fighter aircraft|fighters]], under contract SP/6ACFT/9817/CB 7a.<ref name=MiPRAFSG>{{cite web|url=http://www.madeinpreston.co.uk/Aviation/squires%20gate.html|title=RAF Squires Gate|publisher=MadeInPreston.co.uk|access-date=16 August 2010}}</ref> Many Hunters were also built for the Swedish Air Force.

====Post-war years==== [[File:Jersey European Short 360-100 G-BLZT.jpg|thumb|right|A [[Jersey European]] [[Short 360]] at the airport in the late 1990s.]] Scheduled flights were resumed by [[Isle of Man Air Services]] in summer 1946. [[Lancashire Aircraft Corporation]] and other private airlines established their bases at the airport from 1946 onwards. By 1949, the airfield was controlled by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and renamed Blackpool Airport.

Prior to 2004, when the airport was sold to City Hopper Airports Limited, the airport was owned and operated by Blackpool Borough Council, who were losing £1 million per year before the £13 million sale.<ref name="Pprune132545" />

Speaking about the sale, Julian Kearsley, strategic director of business services at the town hall, who helped broker the deal, said: "The airport is a key element in terms of developing the new Blackpool. It is not as if the council has sold off the family silver and lost any role in this. We wish to see the terminal continue as an airport as part of our ambitious plans for revitalising the whole area. This deal will see more jobs, it will save the council money and it protects the employment of people already there."<ref name="Pprune132545" />

Cllr Roy Fisher, leader of Blackpool Council, said: "The sale of Blackpool Airport once agreed will be great news for everyone in Blackpool."<ref name="Pprune132545" />

Cllr Robert Wynne, portfolio holder for partnerships, business and companies, added: "A year ago the council set itself specific targets with regard to Blackpool Airport: we wanted more flights, particularly those that brought people to the town, we wanted more quality jobs and we wanted a better deal for the council taxpayer. This agreement fulfils all those objectives. We will end up with a much better and busier airport at no cost whatsoever to the council taxpayer."<ref name="Pprune132545" />

===Development of the airport between 2005 and 2010=== [[File:Blackpool Airport Terminal.jpg|thumb|Terminal Building at Blackpool Airport in 2005]] [[File:RAF jet at Blackpool Airport - geograph.org.uk - 1315285.jpg|thumb|RAF Hawk jet at Blackpool Airport (2008)]] [[File:Blackpool Airport - geograph.org.uk - 765915.jpg|thumb|right|[[General aviation]] area at Blackpool Airport (2004)]] In the first decade of the 21st century, the airport steadily expanded, accommodating further helicopter operations for [[Centrica|British Gas]] and attracting scheduled flights from [[budget airlines]] [[Jet2.com|Jet2]] and [[Ryanair]]. Since World War II, the airport has also been a centre for private, club, and general aviation.

In 2005, [[Jet2.com|Jet2]] became the first major low cost airline to base an aircraft at Blackpool Airport.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jet2.com/News/Vuelos_bajo_coste_desde_Blackpool_a_Murcia,_Palma_y_Belfast/ |title=Vuelos bajo coste desde Blackpool a Murcia, Palma y Belfast |publisher=Jet2.com |date=29 September 2005}}</ref> This created around 50 new jobs and boosted passenger numbers. It used to serve seven destinations from the airport—five in Spain ([[Palma de Mallorca Airport|Palma]], [[Alicante Airport|Alicante]], [[Murcia Airport|Murcia]], [[Tenerife South Airport|Tenerife South]], [[Málaga Airport|Málaga]]), one in Portugal ([[Faro, Portugal|Faro]]), and a domestic service to [[Belfast]]. Also in 2005, [[Monarch Airlines|Monarch]] set up a new route to [[Málaga Airport|Málaga]], three times a week. The airline ceased services after a year, blaming low passenger numbers.{{Citation needed|date=December 2018}} However, Jet2 had earlier announced that it would be operating flights to Málaga.

Until January 2006 an [[Avro Vulcan]] bomber ([[United Kingdom military aircraft serials|registration]] XL391) was on static external display close to the entrance to the airport. XL391's last operational role was at Ascension Island during the [[Falklands War]] in 1982; however, it only flew as a backup aircraft and never actually went to the Falklands. It was put up for sale in October 2004 on eBay and purchased by Manchester pub landlord Chris Ollerenshaw (for £15,102.03), who had intentions to transport it to his pub and display it in his beer garden.<ref>{{cite news |title=Vulcan bomber sale nets £15,000 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/lancashire/3989019.stm |newspaper=BBC News |date=6 November 2004 |access-date=12 June 2012}}</ref> However, after finding out that the condition of the aircraft was so poor that moving it would be extremely challenging and that it would cost over £20,000, in addition to the reported £1,000 a week storage charge,<ref>{{cite news |title=Vulcan bomber plans 'fall apart' |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/lancashire/4181657.stm |newspaper=BBC News |date=17 January 2005 |access-date=12 June 2012}}</ref> Ollerenshaw pulled out of the deal and later relinquished ownership of the plane back to the airport.<ref>{{cite news |title=Goodbye to Blackpool landmark |url=http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/archive/2006/01/12/Lancashire+Archive/6234991.Goodbye_to_Blackpool_landmark/ |newspaper=The Bolton News |date=12 January 2006 |access-date=12 June 2012}}</ref> The Vulcan was then sold on for scrap for £4,800, and was completely removed from the site and scrapped on 12 January 2006.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jet beer garden dream realised at last |url=http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/198/198885_jet_beer_garden_dream_realised_at_last.html |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |date=13 January 2006 |access-date=12 June 2012}}</ref>

During 2006, [[British NorthWest Airlines]], the smallest airline based at Blackpool, stopped trading for both charter and scheduled flights. Flights to the Isle of Man were taken over by [[Citywing]] up to three times a day, with an onward connection to Belfast City. Citywing brought low fares to the Isle of Man and Belfast routes and passenger numbers on these route vastly increased in January 2007.

With the growth of the airport, a new carrier, operating under the name [[Jetstream Express]], introduced flights in 2007 to [[George Best Belfast City Airport|Belfast City Airport]] (from May), [[Aberdeen Airport]] (from June) and [[Southampton Airport]] (from July). The Belfast route was in competition with Jet2, who operated a twice daily service to Northern Ireland. Two [[Jetstream 31]]s were based at the airport to support the operation, however, the service ended in June 2007 as the routes had not proved viable.

In 2007, Jet2 cancelled its Prague and Amsterdam services, blaming insufficient passenger numbers.

The airport was owned and operated by City Hopper Airports Limited, which also owns [[Wolverhampton Airport]] and [[Biella Airport]] in Italy, until January 2007, when it was placed under new management after one of its two major shareholders bought out its partner. MAR Properties Ltd agreed terms to take over full control of Blackpool and Wolverhampton Airports.<ref name="airliner2007">{{cite journal|title=Blackpool Airport|date=January 2007|journal=[[Airliner World]]|issue=January 2007|url=http://airlinerworld.com/}}</ref> In May 2008, it was announced that [[Balfour Beatty]], who also owned [[Exeter Airport]] and [[City of Derry Airport|Londonderry Eglinton Airport]], had purchased MAR Property's 95% stake in the airport; the remaining 5% stake was held by Blackpool Borough Council.<ref name="gazette4393758"/>

On 6 May 2008, Balfour Beatty bought the 95% stake of the airport off CityHopper Airports Ltd for £14 million.<ref name="scotsman4388461"/> The construction company also owned [[Exeter Airport]].

On 18 July 2008, the ''[[Blackpool Gazette]]'' announced that Jet2 planned to suspend its daily service from Blackpool to Belfast International for the winter. A dip in passenger numbers and the rising price of oil had taken its toll on the service. According to the newspaper, Jet2 would restart the daily Belfast service from March 2009.<ref name="gazette4301372">{{cite news|url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/blackpoolnews/Blackpool-Airport-drops-Belfast-flight.4301372.jp |title=Blackpool Airport drops Belfast flight|date=18 July 2008|work=[[Blackpool Gazette]]}}</ref>

In the summer of 2008 Ryanair announced a large cut in capacity at a number of airports, including Stansted, from October 2008 to March 2009, although Blackpool was not affected by these cuts.<ref name="gazette4301372"/> However, on 25 November 2008, Ryanair announced the intention to withdraw all flights from 5 January 2009, following the airport's introduction of a £10 per person Airport Development Fee.<ref name="gazette4727852">{{cite news|url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/blackpoolnews/Ryanair-to-quit-Blackpool-airport.4727852.jp |title=Ryanair to quit Blackpool airport|last=Hyde|first=Nick|date=25 November 2008|work=[[Blackpool Gazette]]}}</ref><ref name="ryanair251108">{{cite news|url=http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/news.php?yr=08&month=nov&story=gen-en-251108|title=Ryanair Slams Development Fee at Blackpool Airport|date=25 November 2008|publisher=[[Ryanair]]|access-date=8 February 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216083320/http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/news.php?yr=08&month=nov&story=gen-en-251108|archive-date=16 December 2008}}</ref>

After the £10 Airport Development Fee was introduced at the start of 2009, a new airline was sought to replace [[Ryanair]] on its very popular route to [[Dublin Airport|Dublin]]. [[Aer Arann]] were their successors and commenced operations shortly after.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flightstats.com/go/FlightStatus/flightStatusByFlight.do?id=301073374&airlineCode=EY&flightNumber=7791|title=EY to fly Blackpool to UAE|access-date=1 July 2013}}</ref> The flights continued until the closure of the airport in 2014.

===Development of the airport between 2011 and 2014=== During 2011 the airfield underwent a number of changes. Runway 07/25 was closed as an active runway and was re-opened as Taxiway C. The previous Taxiway C was closed and its northern part, between Runway 10/28 and the old Runway 07/25, was opened as an extension of Taxiway E. Another notable change was the relocation of the airport's Fire Services from north of the fuel farm to a more central position, between the terminal and some of the flying clubs, on the Taxiway B ramp.

On 28 January 2012 plans were unveiled to launch a twice-weekly service to [[Albert–Picardie Airport]] with [[Danish Air Transport]] using an ATR-72 aircraft. The new route was planned to start in the last week of April, however the flights were cancelled before the route was officially opened.

During June 2012 [[Jet2.com]] announced plans to fly to [[Dalaman]] and [[Ibiza]] from May 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jet2.com/News/Two_New_Sun_Destinations_From_Blackpool/|title=Jet2:New Routes|access-date=30 June 2013}}</ref> About a week later, the company also added [[Lanzarote]] to its destination list.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jet2.com/News/Jet2holidays_Offers_Even_More_Choice_to_Blackpool_Holidaymakers/|title=Jet2 offers even more at Blackpool|publisher=Jet2.com|date=June 2012|access-date=28 June 2013}}</ref> [[Jersey]] had been replaced by Ibiza for the 2013 season, which brought the Jet2 destination list up to 10.

At the beginning of November 2012 it was announced by Jet2 that they would fly to Lanzarote all year round. This was a further development to the schedule, which saw the addition of three new destinations to airport, and three destinations for the company during the winter months. Following Jet2's announcement that it would offer a year-round service to Lanzarote, the airline also revealed plans to operate the service with a larger aircraft starting in October 2013. This announcement came at the start of April, just before the summer season began. The aircraft they would use was the larger Boeing 737-800, something which had not been seen at Blackpool since [[Ryanair]] discontinued their 737-800 services in January 2009.

On 13 May 2013 Jet2 announced, via their website, that they had re-added [[Menorca]] to Blackpool Airport's destination list. The weekly flight would depart from Blackpool from 21 May 2014 and would be available to book throughout the summer.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jet2.com/News/Blackpool_to_the_Balearics_as_Jet2holidays_Brings_Back_Menorca/|title=Jet2 to bring back Menorca|publisher=Jet2.com|date=13 May 2013|access-date=28 June 2013}}</ref>

Following the end of the 2013 summer season, it was announced that Jet2 was cancelling their [[Belfast]] flight because of continuous falling passenger figures. The loss of the Belfast service brought Jet2's destinations at the resort airport down to 10, leaving [[Citywing]] as the only airline operating a daily flight to Belfast, via the [[Isle of Man]].

Statistically, 2013 was the best year for passenger movements through the airport since 2009, with 262,630 passengers using the facility. The increase was directly linked to the introduction of three new summer Jet2 destinations, Dalaman, Ibiza and Lanzarote, which increased the passenger count by around 10% over the previous year.

On 4 April 2014 it was announced, via an update on the [[Dart Group]] website, that holidaymakers from across Lancashire would enjoy further choice in the summer of 2015, with a new Spanish destination from the airport. The new route, starting from May 2015, would be [[Reus]] in eastern Spain. This would take the total number of Jet2 destinations to 11 and the number of destinations to mainland Spain to four.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dartgroup.co.uk/Media/News/New_Route_%E2%80%93_Reus_Announced_From_Blackpool_Airport/|title=Jet2 to fly to Reus from May 2015|publisher=Jet2.com|date=4 April 2014|access-date=4 April 2014}}</ref>

During the last week of August 2014, Balfour Beatty announced that it was to put the airport up for sale. The ''[[Blackpool Gazette]]'' reported that the company had "decided to sell its operating interests in the site as part of a wider decision to sell all its interests in regional airports."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/business/local-business/blackpool-airport-sell-off-bid-sparks-new-route-hopes-1-6812241|title=Blackpool Airport sell-off bid sparks new route hopes|publisher=blackpoolgaztte.co.uk|date=29 August 2014|access-date=13 September 2014}}</ref> The news came six years after the company bought a 95% stake in the airport for £14m.

On 7 October 2014 it was announced that the airport would close on 15 October 2014, as a buyer could not be found.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-29529327|title=Blackpool Airport to close after 'no buyer found'|newspaper=BBC News|date=7 October 2014}}</ref> The final scheduled flight was ''V9117'' to [[Isle of Man]], operated by [[Citywing]] and the final commercial flight was ''EGL62X'' to [[Exeter Airport|Exeter]], operated by Capital Air Charter.

On 18 November 2014 Squires Gate Airport Operations (a firm set up by parent organisation and airport owner Balfour Beatty) bought the airport from Balfour Beatty. It was understood the operations would not be on the same scale as those before 15 October, when the airport closed with debts reaching £34M and with the loss of 100 jobs.<ref>{{cite news|title=Blackpool Airport to reopen as airfield for small aircraft|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-30096643|access-date=16 February 2015|work=BBC News|date=18 November 2014}}</ref>

===Re-opening of the airport and development from January 2015=== In March 2015, the government announced that a new [[enterprise zone]] would be created at Blackpool Airport, using some airport land and some adjoining land.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/business/local-business/new-lancashire-enterprise-zone-confirmed-in-budget-1-7162401 |title=New Lancashire enterprise zone confirmed in Budget |newspaper=Blackpool Gazette |date=18 March 2015 |access-date=26 March 2015}}</ref> Existing operations at the airport would not be affected.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/business/local-business/no-impact-on-runway-from-redevelopment-1-7167480 |title=No impact on runway from redevelopment |newspaper=Blackpool Gazette |date=20 March 2015 |access-date=26 March 2015}}</ref> Blackpool Airport reopened flying to Isle of Man and Belfast but from a smaller building.

It was announced in January 2016 that planning permission had finally been given, despite protests from local residents, to demolish the former passenger terminal and replace it with a new Energy College as part of the renewable energy sector of [[Blackpool and The Fylde College]]. The former main terminal had been fully renovated and modernised in 2005 and was capable of handling 2 million passengers a year. The terminal had been left empty and unused since the airport closed in October 2014, and all the landside and airside equipment was auctioned off in 2015. Demolition of the terminal began in February 2016 and took around 4 weeks to complete.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/business/local-business/blackpool-airport-terminal-to-face-the-bulldozers-1-7674442 |title=Blackpool Airport terminal to face the bulldozers }}</ref> After the demolition was complete, the construction of the new college began.

A dedicated facility for Citywings' operations opened in the former Jet2 administration offices and housed a check-in desk, reception lounge, toilet facilities and a small departure lounge. The new facility also has access to security, so passengers no longer need to walk outside and through the Vehicle Search Point (VSP) to gain airside access.

The airport has seen a steady increase in [[general aviation]], [[business jet]], and the occasional military movements since re-opening in 2014. This increase in traffic is a direct result of increased airfield fire cover as the airport now maintains category 3 cover throughout the working week, with higher categories available on request. In 2021, the airport increased the fire category to category 4 during the hours of operation. This enables the airport to accept a category 5 aircraft on remission. Fire category 6 is available on request with a minimum of 24 hours notice and suitable staffing levels within the fire crew and ATC.

In June 2022 there was speculation about reopening the airport by the then prime minister Boris Johnson, who stated that it would make "a fantastic business case". However Johnson's suggestions were dismissed by the local council as "political posturing".<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-06-13 |title=Blackpool Airport: PM's proposal criticised by council leader |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lancashire-61785421 |access-date=2023-11-13}}</ref>

==Offshore helicopter operations== For many years Blackpool has been the base of an offshore helicopter operation, flying crews to and from the Irish Sea oil and gas fields since the early 1980s. All offshore flights are operated through the purpose-built helicopter terminal which officially opened in October 1985 which is located next to the former main passenger terminal (now Energy College).

Originally, flights were operated by Bond Helicopters/Management Aviation prior to being acquired by CHC Scotia until operations were taken over on 1 January 2010 by Bond Offshore Helicopters. Bond Offshore Helicopters became [[Babcock Mission Critical Services Offshore|Babcock MCS]] on 25 April 2016.

On 5 May 2020 it was announced that [[Noordzee Helikopters Vlaanderen|NHV Helicopters]] had won a long-term contract with Spirit Energy to provide passenger transfer services in support of their East Irish Sea operations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://helihub.com/2020/05/05/nhv-wins-aw169-offshore-contract-from-blackpool-uk/|title=NHV wins AW169 offshore contract from Blackpool UK|date=5 May 2020}}</ref> NHV Helicopters took over the contract from Babcock MCS on 1 December 2020. NHV currently operate 2x [[AgustaWestland AW169]] 7 days a week to various oil and gas platforms in the Irish Sea (see list below). The end of Babcock MCS operations also ended 37 years of Dauphin operations from Blackpool.

{{Airport destination list | NHV Helicopters | Calder, Conwy, [[Douglas Complex|Douglas]], Hamilton, Lennox, Millom, Morecambe, OSI }}

==Statistics== {{Airport-Statistics|iata=BLK}} <div class="floatright"> {| style="border:solid 1px #aaa;" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" |+'''Blackpool Airport Movements 2015–2024 (in thousands)''' |- | <timeline> ImageSize = width:auto height:250 barincrement:29 PlotArea = left:90 bottom:15 top:10 right:15 AlignBars = justify Period = from:0 till:50 TimeAxis = orientation:vertical

Colors = id:gray value:gray(0.5) id:line1 value:gray(0.9) id:line2 value:gray(0.7)

ScaleMajor = start:0 increment:10 gridcolor:line2 ScaleMinor = start:0 increment:5 gridcolor:line1

PlotData= color:blue width:20 bar:2015 from:start till:33.075 bar:2016 from:start till:33.749 bar:2017 from:start till:33.429 bar:2018 from:start till:37.526 bar:2019 from:start till:36.289 bar:2020 from:start till:25.404 bar:2021 from:start till:39.587 bar:2022 from:start till:37.259 bar:2023 from:start till:38.918 bar:2024 from:start till:38.735

</timeline> |- |Updated: 29 May 2025 <ref name="stats"/> |} </div>

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" |+ Airport traffic by calendar year from 2015 to 2024 |- ! Year !! Passengers !! Aircraft Movements !! Executive Movements |- !2015 | 33,494 || 33,075 || 846 |- !2016 | 36,269 || 33,749 || 883 |- !2017 | 23,391 || 33,429 || 876 |- !2018 | 19,321 || 37,526 || 864 |- !2019 | 15,213 || 36,289 || 700 |- !2020 | 11,412 || 25,404 || 396 |- !2021* | 0 || 39,587 || 413 |- !2022* | 9,428 || 37,259 || 649 |- !2023 | 14,365 || 38,918 || 597 |- !2024 | 18,739 || 38,735 || 795 |- class="sortbottom" | colspan="5" style="text-align:left;"| Source: CAA Official Statistics<ref name="stats" /> <br /> *Oil rig passenger numbers not included between January 2021 and May 2022 inclusive. <br/> Updated: 29 May 2025 <ref name="stats"/> |}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" |+ '''Passenger numbers on 10 former scheduled routes to and from Blackpool Airport (2014)'''<ref name="stats"/> !! style="width:50px"|Rank !! style="width:90px"|Airport !! style="width:90px"|Passengers |- !1 | [[Alicante Airport|Alicante]]||35,652 |- !2 | [[Palma de Mallorca Airport|Palma]]||27,717 |- !3 | [[Faro Airport|Faro]]||27,161 |- !4 | [[Málaga Airport|Málaga]]||21,708 |- !5 | [[Tenerife South Airport|Tenerife South]]||20,741 |- !6 | [[Isle of Man Airport|Isle of Man]]||14,890 |- !7 | [[Dublin Airport|Dublin]]||14,624 |- !8 | [[Lanzarote Airport|Lanzarote]]||10,990 |- !9 | [[Murcia–San Javier Airport|Murcia]]||10,112 |- !10 | [[Ibiza Airport|Ibiza]]||9,841 |}

==Accidents and incidents== * On 29 June 1972, a [[HFB 320 Hansa Jet]], registration D-CASY, failed to rotate during take-off on a flight bound for [[Munich]] and overran the runway, damaging the railway line south of [[Squires Gate railway station]] and crashing into the [[Pontins]] Blackpool holiday park, destroying six chalets. Of the eight passengers and crew on board, only one survived with serious injuries. The passengers were employees of [[Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm]], working at [[Warton Aerodrome]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=15/1973 D-CASY, 29 June 1972 |url=https://www.gov.uk/aaib-reports/15-1973-d-casy-29-june-1972 |access-date=2024-03-31 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref> * On 27 September 1982, [[Douglas C-47 Skytrain|Douglas C-47]] G-AKNB of Harvest Air was damaged beyond economic repair in an accident at Blackpool Airport.<ref name="ASN270982">{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19820927-0 |title=G-AKNB Accident report |publisher=Aviation Safety Network |access-date=25 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102150745/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19820927-0 |archive-date=2 November 2012 }}</ref> * On 27 December 2006, a [[Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin]], registration G-BLUN, [[2006 Morecambe Bay Eurocopter AS365 crash|crashed into the Irish Sea]], 24 miles offshore. There were 7 persons on board the helicopter, 5 passengers and 2 crew. Six bodies were recovered however the 7th body was sadly never found. The helicopter was based at Blackpool Airport and the flight had also originated from the Squires Gate base.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/S1-2007%20G-BLUN.pdf |title=AAIB Special Bulletin: 1/2007 |date=January 2007 |website=[[Air Accidents Investigation Branch]] (AAIB)}}</ref> * On 3 February 2007, a [[Piper PA-28 Cherokee]] registered G-BBBK was inbound to Blackpool when it crashed on the [[Fylde Coast]]. The VFR flight had originated from [[Exeter Airport]], and the pilot was attempting to land in thick fog. He failed to locate the airport, and continued several miles north before losing altitude and crashing in shallow water between the central and southern piers. Both occupants were killed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/Piper%20PA-28-140%20Cherokee,%20G-BBBK%2012-07.pdf |title=AAIB Bulletin: 12/2007 |date=2007 |website=[[Air Accidents Investigation Branch]] (AAIB)}}</ref> * On 2 December 2015, a Rockwell Commander aircraft registered as 2-ROAM was inbound to Blackpool Airport from the Isle of Man. The Aircraft was flying in thick cloud and fog which was as low as 200 ft. The aircraft lost contact with Air Traffic at 09:15 on 2 December. The [[RNLI]] and Search and Rescue crews found wreckage from the aircraft a few miles from the coast of Blackpool.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 July 2016 |title=AAIB investigation to Rockwell Commander 114B, 2-ROAM |publisher=[[Air Accidents Investigation Branch]] (AAIB) |url=https://www.gov.uk/aaib-reports/aaib-investigation-to-rockwell-commander-114b-2-roam|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724205315/https://www.gov.uk/aaib-reports/aaib-investigation-to-rockwell-commander-114b-2-roam |archive-date=24 July 2019 |access-date=}}</ref> * On 16 November 2023, at 5:30pm a Robin R200 aircraft registered as G-HIGB, owned by the local High-G Flight Training, made a forced landing on the Blackpool Promenade three kilometers north of the airfield after reports of engine trouble. No injuries were reported, and likewise there was no damage to the aircraft involved.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/348024 | title=Incident Robin R-2120U Alpha-120T G-HIGB }}</ref>

==References==

===Citations=== {{reflist}}

===Bibliography=== * {{cite book|last=Smith|first=D.J.|title=Action Stations 3 : Military Airfields of Wales and the North-West|year=1981|publisher=Patrick Stephens Limited|isbn=978-0-85059-485-0}}

== See also ==

* [[Public transport in the Fylde]]

==External links== {{Portal|United Kingdom|Aviation}} {{Commons category|Blackpool Airport}} *{{official website|http://www.blackpoolairport.com}} *[https://derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/34585/blackpool-airport-1983-85 Blackpool Airport 1983–84 Part Two] – North West Air News

{{Airports in the United Kingdom, the British Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories}} {{Borough of Fylde culture}}

[[Category:Buildings and structures in Blackpool]] [[Category:Aviation in Lancashire]] [[Category:Buildings and structures in the Borough of Fylde]] [[Category:Airports established in 1909]] [[Category:1909 establishments in England]] [[Category:Aircraft assembly plants in England]] [[Category:Airports in Lancashire]]