The first flights to the Lake District for 25 years are starting in June
Here is a very exciting story about a key new plank in the economic development of the Lake District. It makes me think of the impact Newquay airport has on Cornwall. In addition to making the Lakes more accessible it will give those living and working there greater access to external markets. I think it will also be good news for our friends in South West Scotland. This story tells us:
Hikers, cyclists and lovers of the great outdoors will be able to fly direct to the Lake District this summer when scheduled passenger flights to the national park resume after a 25-year hiatus.
Services to Carlisle Lake District Airport have been on the cards for several years but today it announced that commercial and business flights will restart on June 4.
Full details of airlines and routes are yet to be revealed but the airport, owned by the Stobart Group since 2009, has identified London, Belfast and Dublin as key connections. It is believed flights will be operated in the first instance by Stobart Air, which runs scheduled services under the brands Aer Lingus Regional and Flybe.
The nearest operational airport to the Unesco World Heritage site is currently Manchester, around a 90-minute drive to the south.
“Carlisle Lake District Airport will have a huge impact on Cumbria’s visiting economy and is also a key strategic business asset for the county,” said Graham Haywood, executive director of the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, which has invested £4.95m in the development of the airport.