Plymouth is pitching for support from a new fund which is being set up to guide future airport development.
The Council has submitted a bid to the Airfield Development Advisory Fund to get a clear picture of what level of investment would be needed to reopen the airport for commercial passenger services.
The advisory fund is managed by the Department for Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority and administered by ICF, a global consulting and digital services provider. The advice available includes planning and conservation policy, accountancy, business model development, marketing strategy and innovation.
Council leader Tudor Evans said:
“This new fund is just a month old, but it has been set up specifically to offer advice. We said we would explore any options, ideas and opportunities which come our way and that’s what we are doing.
“We’ve all seen the aviation industry change dramatically over the last year and who knows what direction it will take.”
The council has appointed a specialist aviation consultant to proactively approach potential operators to assess the market appetite for a private sector solution – in line with the five tests set out by the council.
It is also continuing discussions with the Sutton Harbour Group who lease the site via a wholly owned subsidiary known as Plymouth City Airport Ltd.
The airport was shut by Sutton Harbour in 2011 after it became financially unviable to run the airport as a going concern. The five tests were set out in 2012.
Any potential airport operator needs to address the following tests:
• To acquire ownership of the airport and associated infrastructure
• To operate without the need for public subsidy
• To have an ongoing commitment to air services
• To have a fully-funded long-term business plan
• To clearly evidence public demand for Plymouth air services.
Government planning inspectors supported the council’s pragmatic approach to airport site, which was confirmed with the adoption of the Joint Local Plan in March 2019.
The site was identified as a significant strategic infrastructure asset, with specific policies agreed to safeguard the site for aviation uses until the next review of the Plan.
