Blackpool airport to close

More than a century of aviation history has come to end with the shutdown of Blackpool Airport.

Its owners Balfour Beatty say it's been losing money for years, efforts to find a buyer or secure some kind of future have come to nothing.

Rob Smith reports from the airport:

Rare 1960s footage of Blackpool and its airport has been released by the North West Film Archive at Manchester Metropolitan University.

The film, which is more than 50-years-old, shows the resort from the air and the landing at the airport.

Viewers see the passengers' view in the approach from the north, including the Tower, Central Pier and of course the beach.

After landing, the De Havilland Ambassador aircraft pulls up alongside the terminal and the tourists disembark the flight.

Click below to watch the footage:

Blackpool Airport - which has roots in the infancy of aviation - closes to the public today.

There's still hope a new owner will be found to resurrect commercial aviation at some stage in the near future, but for now it's the end of long and proud history at the airport which was formerly known as Squires Gate Airfield.

According to www.controltowers.co.uk, Squires Gate Fields was chosen as the site for the resort's first aerodrome.

The first aviation meeting was held there in 1907, attracting 200,000 spectators.

The site was occupied by other uses, including a convalescent hospital for the The King's Lancashire Regiment, until after the First World War.

Flying resumed in the 1920's and from 1933 Squires Gate flew regular services to Liverpool and the Isle of Man but airline operations were later moved to Stanley Park on the other side of town.

During the Second World War, both Squires Gate and Stanley Park airfields were aircrew training and bomber manufacturing sites.

Thousands of Wellington bombers were built at sites all over Blackpool to assist in the war effort.

It's been claimed the pioneering aviator Amy Johnson flew her last flight from Blackpool and it is said she often flew in to visit her sister who lived in the resort.

In recent years the airfield was transformed into Blackpool Airport, a modern International airport serving domestic and European routes.

But after losing a number of airlines the business struggled to make money and owners Balfour Beatty announced it would close last month.

The last flight comes in from the Isle of Man shortly before 5pm tonight and the final departure, heading to the Isle of Man, will take off shortly afterwards.

As Blackpool airport prepares to close bosses at the council are hopeful of a last minute reprieve. Councillor John Jones told us there is still the potential for a takeover.

The last flights in and out of Blackpool will take place today as its airport prepares for closure.

It's owners Balfour Beatty have put the airport up for sale, claiming it's been losing money for years.

Around 110 staff are employed at the site. It's future hangs in the balance despite Blackpool council announcing several potential buyers have come forward.

Blackpool Council has revealed today that there is good reason to believe that there is a 'bright future ahead' for the town's airport.

It was announced last week that the airport would close, after the owners Balfour Beatty said it had been losing money for years.

Councillor John Jones, Blackpool Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, said:

There's anger following the announcement that Blackpool Airport, the third largest in our region, is to close in a week's time.

The airport's owners Balfour Beatty say it has been losing money for years.

But they are being accused of not doing enough to keep it open.

Amy Welch reports.

Jet2 will stop flights from Blackpool to on Friday after the aiport announced last night it is to close. All flights will go from Manchester Airport instead.

Jet2 customers are being advised to visit www.jet2.com/info for the latest information.

Blackpool airport will close next week after its owners failed to find a buyer. Balfour Beatty has been seeking a buyer for the airport since August.

Aviation expert Chris Yates says it comes as no surprise.