Councillors Back Efforts to Bring Commercial Flights Back to Carlisle Airport
Councillors have supported renewed efforts to bring commercial passenger flights back to Carlisle Lake District Airport after a six-year absence.
The decision followed a motion discussed at Cumberland Council's meeting on Tuesday 3 November. Independent councillor Robert Betton proposed the original motion, seconded by Liberal Democrat councillor Chris Wills, calling for the long-term restoration of sustainable passenger services. Council leader Mark Fryer introduced an amended version, which committed the authority to exploring opportunities with relevant partners rather than promising a return of flights or major financial investment.
Carlisle Airport resumed scheduled commercial services in 2019 after an absence of approximately 26 years. Scottish airline Loganair operated routes connecting the city with destinations including London Southend, Belfast and Dublin. However, passenger services stopped in March 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic and have not returned. The loss of these connections has remained a concern for local representatives and tourism organisations seeking to improve the area's accessibility.
Councillor Betton argued that the airport remained an important transport, tourism and economic asset for Carlisle and the wider Borderlands region. He said the council's involvement should focus on working with the airport's owners and other organisations to understand what could realistically be achieved. He stressed that the proposal did not require the authority to guarantee commercial flights or commit to substantial public spending.
Council leader Mark Fryer acknowledged that restoring passenger services would be difficult, particularly given the financial pressures facing local authorities and the competitive position of larger airports. Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Manchester already attract substantial passenger numbers and have established infrastructure. He suggested that the new mayoral authority expected to be established next year could play an important role in discussions with Government about possible funding and regional transport priorities.
The council's approach will involve discussions with AW Jenkinson Group, which took control of Carlisle Lake District Airport in May 2024, alongside airlines, local MPs, the Borderlands Partnership and relevant Government departments. Cumberland Council remains the landlord of the airport site. The discussions are intended to examine the airport's future potential and whether sustainable commercial passenger operations could eventually become viable.
Cumbria Tourism has previously supported the return of flights, saying the former services made the county easier to reach and helped connect the region with international markets. Managing director Gill Haigh acknowledged that considerable work would be required before passenger services could resume. The organisation believes improved air connections could benefit tourism businesses and visitors, although any future routes would depend on commercial viability and sufficient demand.
The airport's current owners have highlighted several practical and financial obstacles. Commercial passenger operations could require investment running into millions of pounds, while existing aviation systems are considered outdated. Aircraft currently rely on visual approaches, meaning poor weather and reduced visibility can prevent them from landing. The owners have also stressed that any future scheduled services would need a convincing business case and sufficient passenger numbers to support ongoing operations.
AW Jenkinson has been developing other uses for the site, including military training exercises involving UK and NATO forces, support for search and rescue helicopter operations and the reopening of the airport café. The company has also indicated ambitions to restore licensed status to accommodate small-scale private charter flights by 2027, with further navigation system improvements planned for 2028. It has welcomed the opportunity to participate in future discussions about the airport's long-term direction.
Despite the council's support, no commercial airline has announced plans to restart scheduled passenger services from Carlisle. The latest decision represents a commitment to investigate the possibilities and work with partners, rather than confirmation that flights will return. The council's engagement with the airport owners, regional organisations and Government is expected to help establish whether a sustainable operation can be developed.
For further local news, community updates and story tips, contact news@lakelandpost.co.uk or 0333 090 2080.