£8m a year airport windfall anticipated
NEWQUAY'S economy could be boosted by up to £8 million per year, if the airport is successful in securing two major contracts.
The Cornish Guardian has learned that not only could Newquay be used as a transport hub, linking Cornwall to the Isles of Scilly by British International Helicopters (BIH), but that the company is also set to agree a deal to base its repair and maintenance centre at the airport.
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The news comes after BIH confirmed the sale of its heliport, in Penzance, to Sainsbury's, and revealed either Newquay or Land's End would be chosen as the base of a new link to the Scillies.
County business chiefs have claimed the deal could pour millions into the town in extra jobs and additional tourism revenue.
Tim Jones, chairman of Devon and Cornwall Business Council, said: "It's two potentially good news stories for Newquay. If the link with the Scillies happens, I would say it will bring between £5m and £8m into the local economy.
"It's a firm step for Newquay to become one of the biggest airports in the South West."
The news comes days after Newquay Airport secured a £1 million contract with AgustaWestland helicopters for a training centre to be based at the facility.
Tony Jones, managing director of BIH, said it was too early to say if Newquay would become the base for the Scillies link.
But he confirmed the company is in the process of moving its maintenance arm to Newquay Airport.
"I can confirm we will be moving to Newquay Airport. It's not a done deal yet, as the contract with Cornwall Council hasn't been finalised or signed yet," he said.
BIH has been prompted into relocating as its current maintenance base in Plymouth will be demolished by the end of the year.
"We have four major operations at the current base. One and two is the maintenance of our own fleet of aircraft and the management of the whole company," added Mr Jones. "The other two operations are the transport of Royal Navy personnel from Plymouth to vessels out at sea. We also help repair and maintain Air Southwest's fleet of aircraft. But obviously I can't speak about what will happen regarding this and the Navy in the future.
"It's early days at the moment but we are also considering using Newquay Airport as our new base to run our Isles of Scilly helicopter flights. All in all this is definitely an economy boost for the town and surrounding area."
It is understood that BIH's transfer from Plymouth to Newquay will create at least 10 jobs.
BIH this year celebrates four million passengers. See pages 51 to 54.
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by Calmer Waters, The Celtic Nation And Duchy Of Cornwall
Friday, April 09 2010, 2:03PM
“Observe:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk4obfAoeyE
Look up today - another blue sky beginning.
Mid-day - opalescent silvery white at jetsh*t altitude due to around 4-500 transatlantic aircraft movements per day across Cornwall's skies..
Observe later the accelerated temperature drop around 16.00 do to the solar ray angle of incidence increase leading to increased solar ray deflection.
Why do the Met Office never mention this artificially induced observable meteorological phenomenon and its clear effects on diurnal climatic variations? C'est un mystère!”
by Freethinker, Cornwall
Friday, April 09 2010, 11:00AM
“I'm pleased to say Big Ger that 'cemtrails' are not the stuff of conspiracy theorists. I'm just as skeptical as you, but I had to think again when I saw it occur for myself. I had to go up to Guildford on a business trip with a friend of mine. His house is just on the outskirts of Guildford, and we watched four planes for almost two hours leave 'cemtrails' in the sky. The sun was almost blocked out by cemtrails. We looked at the planes making cemtrails appear. Each plane didn't have any markings to identify them. Why would four planes cross paths for over two hours like that?. It certainly wasn't a display... Freethinker”
by Big Ger, Truro
Friday, April 09 2010, 9:02AM
“So not only does Calmer Carbon Boot waters come here to do everything in Cornwall down, he's also one of the barking mad "Contrails" conspiracy theorists.
Further evidence, not that any were needed, that the MK crowd are a bunch of self deluding hippies.”
by Gary, Saltash
Friday, April 09 2010, 6:39AM
“Scepticism is the sign of a healthy mind; the generation of fear based on unverified facts is the sign of the tax man opening is wallet.
Anyone else believe the comment about Tessa?”
by Calmer Waters, The Celtic Nation And Duchy Of Cornwall
Thursday, April 08 2010, 5:36PM
“Barry
Unfortunately there's not so much of the Amazon rainforest left due to the high maintenance demands of the likes of yourself.”