VisitEngland welcomes funding boost for regional airports
VisitEngland has welcomed a £56 million funding boost for regional airports over the next three years.
The funding will come from the Regional Air Connectivity Fund which was announced by the government in June 2013 and is open to airports with less than 5 million passengers per year to bid for.
The Government has said £17.5 million is available for 2015/16, with around £20 million a year for the remaining two years.
James Berresford, CEO, VisitEngland, said: "VisitEngland has a proven track record of working with Destination Management Organisations and regional airports, including Bristol and Newquay, to drive up passenger traffic through marketing campaigns that promote new and existing routes.
"The Government’s new funding announcement provides a fantastic opportunity to expand this successful work with our regional partners and drive more visitors directly to the regions."
The Fund has already been used to support strategic routes to London from Newquay and Dundee but is now being extended to bids for more routes.
Aviation Minister Robert Goodwill said: "Smaller airports are vital to local economies and ensuring they thrive is a key part of our long term economic plan.
"I want to encourage the industry to apply to expand their routes, to generate UK growth and jobs, as well as boosting our trade links with countries all over the world."
Diane
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