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Restormel: Plan to Save Newquay Airport

Newquay Airport could be opening its runway to flights carrying freight as a means of preventing closure.


The airport is currently losing money and flight operators Air South West and Ryanair pay reduced landing fees with local authorities subsidising the facility.
The risk of closure stems from a threat by the Ministry of Defence considering its options for the nearby RAF St Mawgan. MOD operations at Newquay Airport also help to fund the airport and if RAF Mawgan is downsized or closed then that wil put extra financial pressure on the airport.
However, a team of business leaders and aviation specialists have been in talks with Cornwall County Council with a view to create new opportunities at Newquay Airport by using spare flight capacity for freight. The council has agreed that a two-flight a week pilot scheme is tested using Cornwall as a new air cargo hub.
Such hubs are needed to be able to land large planes carrying bulk cargo, which is then off-loaded and stored ready to be taken nearer to its destination by smaller aircraft. It is hoped that the developments will enable to airport to keep operating for a further two years while other operations are explored.