Newquay Airport Expansion: The Case Examined

This report has been commissioned by Groundswell Cornwall. Its purpose is to assess the case for the expansion of Newquay Airport. The report has been prepared by Elizabeth Baines, a postgraduate student at King's College, London.

The plans for the expansion of the airport come at a pivotal time for Cornwall and its development. Decisions have to be made against a background of rising concern about the impact of climate change, anxiety about energy supplies - particularly oil - a strong desire to protect the economic development of Cornwall, growing pressures on the public purse, and the backdrop of the EU Convergence Programme. Substantial investment is required to bring the airport up to CAA standards. Further significant funds will be required to cater for the proposed dramatic increase in passenger numbers.

However, these funds will be invested into a project that will increase Cornwall's CO2 emissions, that does not appear to take account of rising oil prices, and that will damage our local environment. Furthermore, the report suggests that even the business case for the airport is not as robust as is claimed.

It's time for a debate. We all wish to see a successful, outward looking society, a protected and strengthened environment and a thriving economy for Cornwall. Our fear is that the plans for the airport may undermine the very thing we wish to achieve.

For the full report click on the following link

Newquay Airport The Case Examined revised Oct 2007

SWERDA and regional airports

Following a Freedom of Information request the South West Regional Development Agency (SWERDA) has released its report entitled 'Economic Assessment of South West Regional Airports'.  This states: "the relationship between high growth sectors in the region and air travel appears to be weak" and "air travel may not necessarily be a pre-requisite for economic growth."

For a copy of the report click on the link below.  The file is 6MB and will start to download immediately you click on it. 
http://homepage.mac.com/bobegerton/filechute/swrda_economic_assessment_sw_airports.pdf