Newquay Cornwall Airport has agreed a first in the country deal with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for a two and a half month flight training scheme.
From Februay 15, Newquay Cornwall Airport will open its skies to military fixed wing aircraft. The agreement, made between Cornwall Airport Limited and the MoD comes as part of the continued partnership and working relationship following the MoD’s departure from RAF St Mawgan in 2008.
The agreement will encourage the RAF and Naval bases around the UK to undertake their flight training requirements at the airport and the skies above.
Airport MD Al Titterington said: “The use of the airport for flight training makes sense as the long runway and uncongested airspace is ideal for this type of activity. The strong relationship between the Airport and the MoD has been maintained and hopefully this agreement will create further opportunities for military flight operations at Newquay.”
Carolyn Rule, cabinet member for economy and regeneration, said: ‘The airport’s history is based around RAF St Mawgan so it’s great to see the heritage continuing at Newquay Cornwall Airport with the military training at Newquay.”
RAF St Mawgan’s station commander Wg Cdr Graham House said: “This arrangement shows the need to work together, and what we can achieve when we do so. This agreement has not, to the best of my knowledge, been achieved before in the UK and places Cornwall in a good position to build upon. It shows the need, and benefit, of co-existing in harmony.”
The agreement between the MoD and Newquay Cornwall Airport will run until April 30.
