Newquay Airport Grounded for Three Weeks

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Confusion surrounds the immediate future of Newquay Airport following the announcement that from this Sunday for the next three weeks, all flights in and out have been cancelled.
The airport’s owner, Cornwall County Council, had been due to take over air traffic operations from the RAF on December 1. However, there has been a delay in securing a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) licence until December 19, and the MoD has refused a request to extend its support beyond the previously agreed handover date.

Andrew Mitchell, economic portfolio holder for the council, said: “We are very sorry for the inconvenience this temporary cancellation of flights from the Airport will cause to those who have booked flights during this period.

“We are clearly very disappointed that the RAF has not been able to continue to operate the airfield beyond the 1st December. We would like to place on record our sincere appreciation for the cooperation we have received from the RAF throughout this project.”

Stephen Gilbert, the Liberal Democrat Prospective MP for Newquay, added:  “It’s outrageous that the Government won’t let the RAF staff stay-on in Newquay for just the next couple of weeks.

“Any closure at the airport, however temporary, will cause many people difficulties as they look to sort out Christmas travel plans and it is, frankly, an added problem that Cornish businesses who rely on the airport just don’t need right now.”

Passengers have been advised to contact their airline.