Newquay makes case for Heathrow flights
Cornwall Airport Newquay is claiming to have retained its position as the UK’s fastest growing airport after seeing a 23% increase in passenger traffic last year.
The airport exceeded its previous busiest year, which was in 2008, handling 453,795 passengers.
In its busiest months of July and August, the Newquay airport handled 121,000 passengers, a year-on-year increase of 30%. Last month was its best-ever December, when traffic was up 18% year on year due to Christmas flights from Birmingham and a doubling of flights to Manchester over the festive period.
Managing director Al Titterington said: "Our passenger growth remains far higher than the average with little indication of slowing down.
"One of the main focuses for the coming year is to gain a highly-desired link to London Heathrow. Following Heathrow’s recent announcement in the reduction of domestic charges this has become more achievable than ever before.
"The Government has stated its support for a third runway at LHR and we have been a longstanding supporter of Heathrow expansion.
"The link would be transformational for Cornwall’s economy and we are working closely with Heathrow Airport Ltd and our airline partners to try and make this happen. Such services will make Cornwall accessible on a global level, be that inbound (international) tourism or the export of goods and services, the impact would be significant. It would also provide a catalyst for discussion with potential new airlines operating from the airport."
Cornwall will see better connections to Germany this year, when Eurowings’ seasonal operation to Stuttgart joins the carrier’s already established service to Dusseldorf and Ryanair’s link to Frankfurt Hahn on May 5.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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