We need long-term strategy to revive Blackpool Airport, says councillor

A Blackpool councillor has called for a long-term strategy to help bring about the return of international flights to the town’s airport.

Cllr Paul Galley, who is the leader of the Conservative group on Blackpool Council, says the resort’s City of Culture bid is as an opportunity to invest in the Airport.

And he says a key part of his proposal is making much more of Blackpool’s direct rail connection with Manchester Airport and promoting the resort to passengers in the international destinations already connected to the North West.

Cllr Galley said: “City of Culture is a fantastic opportunity for Blackpool, but I want us to think even bigger about what its legacy could be.

“We should be using it to open Blackpool up to the world.

“Manchester Airport gives us a gateway to destinations across Europe and around the world, and we already have a direct rail connection between Manchester Airport and Blackpool.

“We should be building partnerships with the airport, airlines, rail operators, tourism organisations and tour operators to sell Blackpool much more strongly in those international markets.

“Someone arriving at Manchester Airport should know just how easy it is to get on a train and come directly to Blackpool.

“That gives us the opportunity to attract new visitors, from new countries and new markets, who may never previously have considered Blackpool as a destination.”

Cllr Galley believes growing international tourism should also form part of a much longer-term strategy for Blackpool Airport.

He continued: “We have an airport of our own and I want us to be ambitious about its future.

“Nobody should pretend that international passenger flights are going to return to Blackpool Airport overnight. We need to build the demand and demonstrate that there is a viable market.

“But that is exactly why we should start planning now.

“Let’s use Manchester Airport as our international gateway today, grow the number of overseas visitors coming to Blackpool and invest in the future of Blackpool Airport.

“Then, over the next 5 years, let’s build the strongest possible commercial case for the return of passenger services from our own airport.”

He added: “City of Culture shouldn’t simply be about what happens in 2029. Its real success should be judged by the investment, jobs, visitors and opportunities it leaves behind for decades afterwards.

“Our ambition is simple: let’s use City of Culture to sell Blackpool to the world – and start building the case for the world to fly into Blackpool again.”

After Cllr Galley raised the issue at Blackpool Council’s recent full Council Meeting, Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “Obviously we’ve got to be shortlisted first, but a lot of work has gone into looking at how previous winners have benefited, and the relationships they’ve developed.

“This is the UK City of Culture and one of the things we’ve got to be aware of is that it’s not confined to Lancashire, this is the United Kingdom and we have to develop those relationships across the country.

“I absolutely take your point, when we get short-listed – I’m fairly confident we will, because we deserve to – we will maximise those opportunities and work regionally across Liverpool and Manchester.”