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Kent airport aims for new air links
London Ashford Airport at Lydd, Kent talking to airlines interested in launching routes to European destinations like Paris and Brussels.
The aim is to soften the blow as Ashford is due to lose most international Eurostar services when the new £100 million Ebbsfleet station opens next October. Ashford is to lose all Brussels trains and off-peak Paris rail links.
But the airport has revealed that new air services to UK and European cities are planned.
It is the first time that the airport, a 20-minute drive from Ashford, has admitted that it is in advance negotiations with airlines to launch new scheduled services.
Around £20m has already been spent on upgrading facilities as the owners bid to create a modern regional airport capable of handling up to two million passengers a year by 2014.
Managing director Zaher Deir said: “If Eurostar services are being cut at Ashford International Station then it becomes even more crucial for local authorities, economic development agencies and others in the private sector to support our plans to offer a range of air transport services from Lydd.
“We have invested heavily in modernising the airport and creating new jobs here. Now we are ready to play our part in helping Ashford to realise its full economic potential. Today we have the facilities and capacity to handle 300,000 passengers a year and could be ready to cope with 500,000 passengers a year within 12 months.”
The airport provides private business jet services flying into the UK from the Continent, the Middle East and other destinations.
Report by Phil Davies
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