Top guns get green light by Newquay Airport boss to keep flying over town
THE BOSS of Newquay airport has agreed to extend a controversial contract allowing military jet pilots to train over Newquay, the Cornish Guardian can reveal.
Al Titterington signed a deal allowing supersonic jets access to the airport's runway until June 30 – two months past the expiry date of the previous 11-week agreement.
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And the managing director has vowed to seek out longer-term contracts that could see entire detachments of RAF top guns swooping into Newquay airspace.
Mr Titterington spoke to the Cornish Guardian after a source close to the airport suggested a 12-month deal had been signed.
Rumours
He was quick to scotch the rumours but confirmed he had extended the current arrangement, which has seen jet pilots return to RAF St Mawgan for the first time since 2008.
The landmark agreement has proved unpopular with some villagers leading two leading objectors to relaunch a website aimed at banning military jets from Newquay airspace.
They claim the noise from the jets is beyond the human pain threshold and would cause tourism, employment, house prices and people's health to plummet.
The pair also accused airport bosses of "hiding behind a cloak of secrecy" after they refused to disclose details of the contracts and failed to consult local residents.
More than 30 people filed into St Mawgan Village Hall for a special parish council meeting on Wednesday last week to vent their anger at the situation.
But in a bid to answer the critics and unite local people in support of the airport, Mr Titterington told us:
The contracts are vital to the future of the airport;
The deals with the MoD would save taxpayers money;
Military jets were not exempt from the airport's strict policy on noise;
There would be no night flights past midnight;
Negotiations must remain confidential to allow the airport to pull in business;
Local people will be consulted before longer-term contracts are signed;
There had only been three complaints about noise since January 2010.
Mr Titterington said he understood the concerns.
But he stressed that deals to "diversify business" were essential to ensure the airport survived and taxpayers' subsidy – around £3 million – was dropped.
Mr Titterington said: "Jet training has become a very important strand of the business. For a number of years it has been a purely passenger-focused airport but with passenger numbers down we need to diversify into other areas of aerospace activity, if we want to keep the subsidy down.
"But we need to be able to run the airport like any other commercial business and keep things private. It's not that we have anything to hide – a lot of businesses just wouldn't come anywhere near us if our deals were discussed in public.
"These contracts are saving people money. They are a positive thing and that's what's frustrating about any protests."
Mr Titterington could not confirm how much the contract was worth but said it was "vital to generate additional revenue".
And he has his eyes on longer-term deals, which could include welcoming the new F35 joint combat aircraft – the subject of the original anti-jet campaign website.
He said: "This [F35 training] is still about ten years away.
"We've had no discussions so far but if we are approached then, yes, we would consider it.
"But for any long-term, major activity – for example, for a Tornado detachment – then as a good neighbour we will consult with local people.
"There is no question about that."
7 Comments
by Peter Hammond, Newquay
Thursday, April 14 2011, 12:50PM
“The Speed of Sound!
Well, thats a rather biased article isn't it? Emotive language by the Cornish Guardian designed to stir up the masses against the airport - again.
The fact is that if 'supersonic' jets are given access to the airport they'll never be able to land and their turning circle would be so wide due to the speed that they would be lucky to overfly Penzance let alone Newquay. Come on local press. Let the public read accurate reports rather than what serves your own agenda. I live fairly close to the airport and I hardly notice the aircraft save for the occasional overlight of the Air Ambulance and I certainly haven't seen or heard the hoards of military fast jets you keep predicting. The RAF ceased using St Mawgan as an exercise base a while ago. Why? Because they were busy with the real thing elswhere. A situation which doesn't seemed to have changed in the intervening years.”
by steve clarke, Porthtowan
Thursday, April 14 2011, 11:21AM
“WELL DONE AL
You have foresight,vision and sense to help Newquay airport revenues with passenger nos decreased due to the economic downturn.
Years ago there was no complaints about noise when it housed Nimrods and the occasional V bombers.
These new Residents should have done more research before they bought!
As far as Im aware the local Cornish never complained about the noise!”
by Jennifer, USA
Wednesday, April 13 2011, 5:01PM
“why wont this let me comment, grrrr”
by Jennifer, Pennsylvania, USA
Wednesday, April 13 2011, 4:59PM
“I was born, raised and grew up in the village of St Columb Minor and loved to hear the sounds of the planes. It did not matter what type either, Nimrods, Harriers, etc they bought excitement to the lives of kids aging from 1 to 99. Even on my wedding day I appreciated it, kind of a flyover just for my wedding.
I know many true locals would get deight in hearing those sounds over Newquay again, I know my family would.
LETS HEAR THOSE ENGINES ROAR!!!”
by Jennifer Plummer, Hanover, PA, USA
Wednesday, April 13 2011, 4:51PM
“Born, raised and grew up in St Columb Minor Village and I have to say I loved the sounds of the planes.
It didn't matter what type it was either Nimrods, Harriers, etc its a sound that I am sure many true cornish folk would love to hear again.
Gone are the days of the very popular St Mawgan Air Day a delight to locals and holidaymakers, most definately missed by all members of my family....
LETS HEAR THOSE ENGINES ROAR!!!”
by Alan Goudge, Newqauy
Wednesday, April 13 2011, 3:09PM
“Great Vision
I applaud Mr Al Titterington decision to open up the Newquay Airport for Military Pilot Training. His forethought, vision, business sense to extend a current contract for the benefit of the Airport, securing Jobs in today¿s climate, can only be a plus for Cornwall. I appreciate that the tranquil life in St Mawgan Village may not seem ideal to have loud aircraft about, but after all it is only an Airport!!!
Surely the local people of St Mawgan can see the overall benefits mentioned in the article. I certainly don¿t agree with the statement of reduced house prices, even in the current climate the rate of reduction in Cornwall has not been as harsh as other parts of the Country. Tourism continues to thrive, more so with the pound to euro exchange rate, the costs of overseas holidays have significantly increased. My forecast for this summer is a positive one, seeing far more visitors than previous years. The good work that ¿Newquay Safe¿ continues to achieve can only present the Town in a better light.
As with the F35 Joint Combat Aircraft being ten years away ¿ With the MOD and the way they conduct their contracts it could be twenty? Too high a price to pay post SDSR. I often wonder if it was not for the complaints against the F35 in the first instance and lack of support from Cornwall County Council the RAF Search and Rescue could have remained at RAF St Mawgan. The RAF Station never did close and what a shame losing the 2625 RAF Regt Auxiliary Sqn and 1 Sqn RAF Regt where hasty decisions were made without forethought. Shame Mr Titterington was not Station Commander!! Keep up your good work Sir, I am on your side.”
by Alan Goudge, Newquayy
Wednesday, April 13 2011, 3:08PM
“Great Vision
I applaud Mr Al Titterington decision to open up the Newquay Airport for Military Pilot Training. His forethought, vision, business sense to extend a current contract for the benefit of the Airport, securing Jobs in today¿s climate, can only be a plus for Cornwall. I appreciate that the tranquil life in St Mawgan Village may not seem ideal to have loud aircraft about, but after all it is only an Airport!!!
Surely the local people of St Mawgan can see the overall benefits mentioned in the article. I certainly don¿t agree with the statement of reduced house prices, even in the current climate the rate of reduction in Cornwall has not been as harsh as other parts of the Country. Tourism continues to thrive, more so with the pound to euro exchange rate, the costs of overseas holidays have significantly increased. My forecast for this summer is a positive one, seeing far more visitors than previous years. The good work that ¿Newquay Safe¿ continues to achieve can only present the Town in a better light.
As with the F35 Joint Combat Aircraft being ten years away ¿ With the MOD and the way they conduct their contracts it could be twenty? Too high a price to pay post SDSR. I often wonder if it was not for the complaints against the F35 in the first instance and lack of support from Cornwall County Council the RAF Search and Rescue could have remained at RAF St Mawgan. The RAF Station never did close and what a shame losing the 2625 RAF Regt Auxiliary Sqn and 1 Sqn RAF Regt where hasty decisions were made without forethought. Shame Mr Titterington was not Station Commander!! Keep up your good work Sir, I am on your side.”