[C]arlisle Lake District Airport will have a “huge impact” on Cumbria’s economy once flights launch in the summer of 2018, according to a group of local private and public sector leaders.
Nigel Wilkinson, Chair of Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Visitor Economy Advisory Group, made the comments ahead of joining a delegation from the Cumbria LEP to Carlisle Lake District Airport on Friday 10 November.
“Carlisle Lake District Airport will have a huge impact on Cumbria’s visitor economy,” he said.
“Increasing the numbers of high spending international visitors is a key target within the LEP’s Rural and Visitor Economy Growth Plan.
“We welcome the opportunity to work with Stobart Aviation at this early stage to ensure the airport works within the context of the visitor economy.”
The LEP, which provides a strategic lead for all activities contributing to the growth and vibrancy of the County’s economy, has committed £4.75 million of Growth Deal funding towards the project.
Airport owner, Stobart Group, invited members of the LEP’s Rural and Visitor Economy Advisory Groups to visit, look at the plans in detail and discuss how factors such as scheduling and transport links will work in the context of the visitor economy.
Passengers will be able to fly to London, Belfast and Dublin, with onward flights to some USA cities, from Carlisle Lake District Airport. Kate Willard, Head of Corporate Projects at Stobart Group, said she was delighted to welcome members of Cumbria LEP to the Carlisle Lake District Airport.
“We want to work with businesses across Cumbria, including the visitor economy, to help grow the local economy,” she said.
“This visit demonstrates that Stobart is very excited about local partnerships and engaging with Cumbrian businesses to make Carlisle Airport the brilliant and sustainable success that Cumbria needs and deserves.”
“We plan to commence the first new commercial flights from the airport in the summer of 2018 and look forward to working with partners in the visitor economy over these next months to help develop packages and promotions to make sure that our air services match the needs of our visitors, that we are able to attract new visitors and that ultimately, we are able to support the visitor economy through the development of a sustainable and really fantastic airport.”
