Carlisle Lake District Airport is one step closer to securing freeport status, a zone where the UK’s normal tax regime would not apply*, after holding talks with Carlisle City Council, which is supporting the airport’s bid.
Kate Willard, Head of Corporate Projects at Stobart Group, met with Carlisle City Council CEO Jason Gooding to talk about Carlisle Lake District Airport’s proposal last week
The plan aims to unlock the region’s “great potential” since the site has a “huge amount of land” around its site and had “strong transport links” underpinned by Stobart Group’s logistical experience and heritage.
The meeting between Kate and Jason comes after the launch of commercial flights at Carlisle Lake District Airport on 4 July, which drew national attention, with then Transport Secretary Chris Grayling and then Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry, among other dignitaries, visiting the airport on the history-making day.
Since then, the airport and has seen hundreds of flights and passengers, with Loganair offering air links to and from Dublin Airport, London Southend Airport and Belfast City Airport.
Routes are still on sale via www.loganair.co.uk, with fares to Belfast City starting from £39.99 and to Dublin and London Southend from £44.99 – including 20kg of baggage allowance.
Kate Willard, Head of Corporate Project at Stobart Group, said: “It was great to sit down with Jason to map-out where we go next with our freeport bid, which we are very excited and enthused about. It’s fantastic to have the council onboard and we are hoping that more local and regional stakeholders will back our proposal as we continue to put Cumbria and the Lake District on the business map.”
Jason Gooding, Chief Executive of Carlisle City Council, added: “A freeport would be a fantastic opportunity for Carlisle and the wider Borderlands region. I’m determined to work with Carlisle Lake District Airport to make this bid a success and secure the economic benefits that a freeport can offer. This can be a game-changer for our area.”
