Carlisle airport: re-opening delayed by shortage of air-traffic staff

Passengers with summer bookings from the Cumbrian airport will get a full refund or alternative flights from Manchester or Glasgow

Carlisle Airport has been closed to passenger planes since 1992 (Stobart Group)

Less than a week before Carlisle Airport was due to re-open, the first flight has been delayed by three months.

The rejuvenated Cumbrian airport, just south of the Anglo-Scottish border and Hadrian’s Wall, was to be connected to Belfast, Dublin and Southend. It has been named Carlisle Lake District Airport, with hopes it would provide easier access to the National Park.

Services by the Scottish airline, Loganair, were due to commence on Monday 4 June. They will now begin on 3 September 2018.

The airport is owned by Stobart Group, which also owns Southend Airport.

The commencement of scheduled air services from Carlisle Lake District Airport, planned for Monday 4 June, has been postponed until Monday 3 September 2018.

Kate Willard, head of corporate projects for Stobart Group, said: “This major project to launch air services from a new airport relies not only on the airport’s infrastructure being complete but also on a full complement of essential operational staff being in place.

“Regrettably, changing circumstances around staffing means that this cannot be completed in time for the airport to receive scheduled flights as planned on 4 June, despite every possible human effort being made.

“We know just how much this airport means to the people of Cumbria, South Scotland and the wider North West region and remain fully and wholeheartedly committed to working with all of our partners towards the new September launch date.”

The group said a growing global shortage of qualified air traffic control staff meant it could not meet training and regulatory deadlines.

Loganair’s managing director, Jonathan Hinkles, said: “This is hugely disappointing for everyone, especially our customers. We remain fully committed to our partnership with Stobart Aviation to commence regular commercial services from Carlisle Lake District in September.

“We’re working hard to inform all passengers and we completely appreciate the frustration which disruption to travel plans can cause.

“We have taken the decision to delay to September to provide the greatest level of certainty that the new target date for the introduction of services will be met, allowing the travelling public to book with confidence.”

Ticket sales for the summer are believed to have been promising. Those passengers are being contacted by the airline and invited to choose between a full refund or assistance with alternative flights from Manchester or Glasgow.