Devon business leaders call for reopening of Plymouth City Airport

Business leaders in Devon are calling for the reopening of Plymouth City Airport. 

The site, which has been closed since December 23, 2011, has long faced uncertainty but local authorities are now preparing to make a pivotal decision on its future.

The land previously used for the airport, currently protected by the Joint Local Plan (JLP), is under examination. 

Plymouth City Council’s cabinet, West Devon Borough Council’s hub committee, and South Hams District Council’s executive will meet to evaluate the effectiveness of the framework established in 2019.

The prospect of resurrecting the airport has sparked fervent debate, with stakeholders weighing the potential benefits against operational challenges.

Stuart Elford, CEO of the Devon & Plymouth Chamber Of Commerce, emphasised the pressing need expressed by business leaders, particularly in the defence and advanced manufacturing sectors. 

"Several larger businesses in Plymouth seek the airport's reopening for charter and general aviation use," Mr Elford said. 

"Operators argue that prior usage wasn't sufficient to ensure viability, yet the closure of a popular route to London underscores its significance,” he continued. 

Mr Elford said businesses had expressed concern about limited transportation alternatives.

He further explained: “The only real alternatives now are car or train transport, which are expensive and often unreliable.  It does stifle inward investment.”

He added: "While some businesses haven't observed direct changes in customer behaviour, many struggle to draw visitors due to increased distances and time constraints." 

Mr Elford highlighted the adverse impacts on sectors like defence and advanced manufacturing and outlined anticipated benefits from the airport's potential reopening.

He said: "Increased general aviation activity could attract inward investment." 

And he voiced fears about the region's transport infrastructure.

He said: “Enhancements are needed to facilitate economic growth.”

Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, has called for the airport's preservation. 

“Plymouth should have an airport,” he said. 

The closure of the site over a decade ago left a large void in the region's transport infrastructure, impacting businesses and hindering economic growth. 

Data on past routes and passenger numbers suggest that the airport once played a key role in regional connectivity.

Civil Aviation Authority figures show that the top five busiest routes to and from Plymouth in 2009 included London Gatwick, Glasgow International, Manchester, Newcastle and Jersey. 

However, despite promising passenger figures on certain routes, operational challenges and changing travel trends contributed to the airport's eventual closure.

Johnny Mercer, MP for Plymouth Moor View, criticised past inaction, urging proactive measures to revive the airport. 

“The council has done close to zero to reopen it ever since,” Mr Mercer said.

With a petition under way to safeguard the airport and a decision anticipated later this month, stakeholders must wait anxiously for the outcome.