Stobarts have submitted a new planning application for a £19m investment to deliver an airport capable of provididing commercial passenger flights, as well as base for Stobart Group’s carlisle operations.

Carlisle  Airport has been in decline for many years, and the last commercial flight out of the airport was over 10 years ago.

Investment in other smaller airports around the UK has shown that airport expansion can have knock on positive effects for the whole local economy, not simply avaiation related income.  For example Ayrshire Golf Courses have seen dramatic numbers of scandanavian visitors, flying over on the cheap Ryanair flights to take advantage of the wonderful Ayrshire golf courses.

Carlisle is seen by many to be the gateway to the Lake District, and an airport at Carlisle would mean shorter and more direct journeys for potentially thousands of visitors each year.

The other traffic source through the airport is of course freight.  Glasgow Prestwick is currently one of the strongest freight airports in the UK.  Winning the title “Best Cargo Airport (up to 100,000 tonnes).  The spin off of this is a busy trading estate around the airport, with a large number of couriers, transport and logistic companies all operating. 

Stobarts would make the airport the new base for a storage and distribution centre for Stobarts.  The combination of Stobart Group’s freight and cargo handling experience, and the potential passenger demand have the potential to make the investment into Carlisle Airport a significant and important part of the Cumbrian Economy.