Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Blackpool Airport and Levelling Up

15 March 2022 · 2 other contributors · 4,396 words

Opened by Scott Benton Ind Blackpool South

Responding minister: Robert Courts

EconomyTransportClimate

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Scott Benton raised concerns about blackpool airport and levelling up in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about the closure of Blackpool airport in 2014 due to financial difficulties and its impact on local residents and businesses.
  • A request for the Government to consider recommendations from the Union connectivity review for public service obligation routes to support regional airports like Blackpool.
  • Call for a bespoke funding pot for capital investment in regional airports to modernise and invest in green technologies.

Key requests to Government

I ask the Government to seriously consider the recommendations made in the Union connectivity review regarding public service obligation routes and their potential expansion to support regional airports like Blackpool. Additionally, I request the creation of a bespoke funding pot for capital investment in regional airports, which would enable them to modernise and invest in green technologies.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Scott Benton Ind Blackpool South

I am concerned about the challenges faced by Blackpool airport, including the loss of commercial passenger flights in 2014 due to financial difficulties. The airport's closure has affected local residents and businesses who rely on air connectivity for tourism and economic opportunities. Despite efforts to modernise the airport infrastructure, the Labour council voted against restoring commercial flights citing high costs. I also worry about the environmental impact of flying, particularly as we move towards net zero emissions.

Other contributors (2)
  • Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross

    Supports Scott Benton's speech and discusses a campaign for Wick airport in Scotland to include Edinburgh or Glasgow as destinations. Acknowledges the importance of having multiple destination choices. The operation of Wick airport is crucial to our endeavours, with Britain's first vertical space launch in Sutherland.

  • Paul Maynard Con Wythenshawe and Sale East

    Congratulates Scott Benton on raising the issue of Blackpool airport, noting its high fixed costs for air traffic control, fire brigades and security compared to larger airports. Suggests the Government should reconsider an airfield fund launched previously.

Government Response

Robert Courts

The Minister acknowledged the importance of Blackpool airport and wider regional aviation to local communities and economic growth. He outlined plans for APD reforms, levelling-up through improved connectivity, support for space launches in remote areas, and future strategies on aviation's return to growth including workforce development, noise management, innovation, regulation, consumer issues, climate change, and decarbonisation goals. The Government aims to publish a final strategy later this year.

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