Plans submitted to Fylde and Blackpool Councils could be the initial important stage in the first new major developments at Blackpool Airport in over 15 years.
Outline planning consent is being sought for two hangars capable of housing large planes such as a Boeing 737 or Airbus A321 for maintenance, repair and overhaul activities, plus three 20,000 sq. ft hangars suitable for light general aviation and small planes, including small corporate turboprops and warbird aircraft.
The hangars would be developed at the east side of the airport on land owned by Blackpool Council. The sites for the new smaller hangars are south and east of the current JMAX hangar and the site for the larger hangars is to the west of JMAX.
A corporate jet hangar, executive aircraft handling facility hangar, airport administrative facilities and in the longer term a large apron and additional hangar facilities are also planned for the areas at the west and centre of the airport.
The planning application also includes a new road off Amy Johnson Way to access both sets of hangars, plus a small 6,000 sq. ft commercial business unit fronting Amy Johnson Way opposite Chorley Group garages.
Plans relating to other critical infrastructure at the airport including the Air Traffic Control tower and rescue and firefighting services will also follow later this year.
Councillor Gillian Campbell, chair of the board at Blackpool Airport Operations, said: ‘This is a major step forward for our historic airport. For over 100 years Blackpool Airport has been a huge part of our local area and economy. It is a mammoth task to redevelop it while also keeping it open for our customers, but we will make it work.’
Blackpool Council reacquired Blackpool Airport from Balfour Beatty in September 2017 for £4.25m via its ownership of Blackpool Airport Operations Ltd and Blackpool Airport Property Ltd. The purchase saved the airport from risk of permanent closure and secured its long-term future as part of the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone.
Blackpool Airport is the second busiest general aviation airport in the country. Over 37,000 flights took off and landed at Blackpool Airport in 2022.
