Blackpool Airport
| Company type | Public airport |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aviation |
| Founded | 1909 |
| Headquarters | Blackpool , England, United Kingdom |
Area served | Lancashire and surrounding areas |
| Products | Passenger transport flights, flight training, helicopter services, aircraft maintenance |
| Owner | Blackpool Airport Limited (as operator) |
Blackpool Airport
Blackpool Airport (IATA: BLK, ICAO: EGNH) is situated along the Fylde coastline in Lancashire, England, within the Borough of Fylde and just beyond the boundary of Blackpool itself. Previously, it was referred to as Squires Gate Airport and Blackpool International Airport.
Ownership of this airport has shifted multiple times over the years. Initially, Blackpool Borough Council held full ownership until 2004, when control passed to a consortium led by City Hopper Ltd (CHAL), operators of Wolverhampton Airport. CHAL managed the facility until May 2008, at which point Balfour Beatty acquired a 95% stake from MAR Property, while Blackpool Borough Council retained a 5% share. In 2014, Balfour Beatty announced intentions to sell the airport but shortly thereafter declared its closure. The terminal and Air Traffic Control services ceased operations on 15 October 2014, with the final scheduled flights departing to Dublin and the Isle of Man that afternoon. Subsequently, a new company named Squires Gate Airport Operations Ltd was established in November 2014, leading to the airport reopening in December 2014 for non-commercial activities.
Executive travel services are provided by Hangar 3 Blackpool Ltd, which offers private hangar access, aircraft management, a flight briefing room, and lounge amenities. NHV Helicopters conducts helicopter flights servicing offshore oil and gas platforms in the Irish Sea, utilizing two Agusta Westland helicopters operating from a dedicated helicopter terminal. Additionally, Blackpool Airport hosts one of three Eurocopter EC135 helicopters operated by North West Air Ambulance; the other two are based at Manchester Barton Aerodrome and frequently visit Blackpool. UK Aviation Services (formerly J-Max Air Services) specializes in maintenance and repair for corporate and commercial helicopters and holds EASA Part 145 certifications covering Bell, Leonardo, Sikorsky, Airbus, Robinson, Guimbal, and MD models. Numerous other businesses on-site provide flight training, private aircraft rental, and maintenance services.
Blackpool Airport Limited holds a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Public Use Aerodrome Licence (Number P724), authorizing it to facilitate public passenger transport flights as well as flight training operations. Passenger throughput reached its highest point in 2007 with over 550,000 travelers but declined to 235,238 by 2012. In its final year of commercial service in 2014, the airport handled 223,372 passengers—a decrease of approximately 15% compared to 2013 figures—reflecting operations only until mid-October due to closure.
The airport benefits from connectivity via Squires Gate railway station.
History
The initial aviation activity at the airport location dates back to October 1909, marked by the UK's inaugural official public Flying Meeting held on a specially prepared area at Squires Gate, followed by a subsequent event in 1910. From 1911 until 1915, the grounds were utilized as Blackpool Racecourse, and during World War I through to 1924, the site served as a military hospital. Aviation operations recommenced in the early 1930s, with small British airlines making use of the airfield throughout the mid-1930s. Starting 15 April 1935, Railway Air Services initiated scheduled flights connecting Blackpool to the Isle of Man, Manchester, and Liverpool. Passengers could transfer at Manchester and Liverpool for onward travel to London and regions in southern and western England. In June 1937, airline activities were relocated to Stanley Park Aerodrome. The sister of aviation trailblazer Amy Johnson resided in Stanley Park, leading to frequent visits from Johnson herself; notably, her final complete flight was a ferry mission for the Air Transport Auxiliary from Squires Gate to Oxford.
RAF Squires Gate
Enhancement and expansion work on the airfield and its facilities commenced in late 1937; however, the aerodrome was requisitioned by the Air Ministry in 1938. To accommodate military operations, three bituminous runways were constructed. During World War II, several squadrons were based at RAF Squires Gate, including:
- No. 63 Squadron, from September 1939 until January 1940
- No. 75 Squadron, between September 1939 and January 1940
- No. 215 Squadron, serving from September 1939 to January 1940
- No. 96 Squadron
- No. 256 Squadron
- No. 308 Polish Fighter Squadron, active from September 1940 through October 1941
Additionally, RAF Coastal Command established an operational presence on-site and expanded facilities at RAF Warton to function as a satellite airfield.
Training wing
The Royal Air Force designated Blackpool as one of its training wings, primarily due to the ample accommodation options available. Training activities were conducted between Squires Gate and the nearby British Army installations at Weeton and Kirkham, making use of numerous guest houses as well as local amenities such as the beaches, pier, and the Winter Gardens for physical training exercises. In total, 769,673 recruits completed their basic training in Blackpool. Additionally, the RAF set up two specialised training establishments:
- No. 3 School of General Reconnaissance
- No. 5 School of Technical Training, focusing on air mechanics
Vickers shadow factory
Between 1939 and 1940, the Ministry of Aircraft Production constructed a shadow factory in the north-eastern section of the airfield to facilitate aircraft manufacturing by Vickers-Armstrongs at Squires Gate. This facility produced 2,584 Wellington medium bombers, many of which were initially assembled and test-flown from Stanley Park Aerodrome before being transferred to Squires Gate for final testing and delivery. The first bomber was finished in September 1940, with production concluding in October 1945 when the factory ceased operations.
In the mid-1950s, Hawker Aircraft reopened the factory to supplement production of Hawker Hunter jet fighters, operating under contract SP/6ACFT/9817/CB 7a. Numerous Hunters were also manufactured for export to the Swedish Air Force.
Post-war years
Scheduled air services recommenced in summer 1946 with Isle of Man Air Services. From that year onward, private airlines such as Lancashire Aircraft Corporation established their operations at the airport. By 1949, control had passed to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, which renamed it Blackpool Airport.
Before its sale in 2004 to City Hopper Airports Limited, Blackpool Borough Council owned and managed the airport but was incurring annual losses of approximately £1 million prior to the £13 million transaction.
Regarding the sale, Julian Kearsley, strategic director of business services at Blackpool Council who facilitated the agreement, stated: "The airport remains a vital asset for Blackpool’s redevelopment. This is not a case of selling off valuable council assets and losing influence; rather, we aim to maintain its operation as an airport within our broader vision for regenerating the area. The deal will safeguard existing jobs, create new employment opportunities, and reduce financial burdens on the council."
Blackpool Council leader Cllr Roy Fisher commented: "Once finalised, this sale will be positive news for everyone in Blackpool."
Cllr Robert Wynne, responsible for partnerships, business and companies, added: "A year ago we set clear goals for Blackpool Airport: increasing inbound flights to attract visitors, creating higher quality employment opportunities, and improving returns for taxpayers. This agreement meets all those objectives. Ultimately, we will have a more active and improved airport without any cost to local taxpayers."
Airport Expansion from 2005 to 2010
During the early 2000s, Blackpool Airport experienced consistent growth, increasing its helicopter operations for British Gas and welcoming scheduled flights from low-cost carriers such as Jet2 and Ryanair. Since the conclusion of World War II, the airport has maintained a significant role in private, club, and general aviation activities.
In 2005, Jet2 became the first prominent budget airline to base an aircraft permanently at Blackpool Airport, generating approximately 50 new jobs and elevating passenger traffic. At that time, Jet2 operated services to seven destinations—five Spanish locations (Palma, Alicante, Murcia, Tenerife South, and Málaga), one Portuguese city (Faro), along with a domestic route to Belfast.
That same year, Monarch introduced a thrice-weekly service to Málaga. However, this route was discontinued after one year due to insufficient passenger demand. Notably, Jet2 had previously announced plans to operate flights to Málaga.
Up until January 2006, an Avro Vulcan bomber (registration XL391) was displayed statically near the airport entrance. Its final operational deployment was as a backup during the 1982 Falklands War at Ascension Island, though it never actively participated in missions over the Falklands. The aircraft was listed for sale on eBay in October 2004 and purchased by Chris Ollerenshaw, a pub owner from Manchester, for £15,102.03, intending to relocate it to his establishment’s beer garden. Upon discovering the plane's deteriorated condition made transportation highly difficult and estimated costs exceeding £20,000—along with a weekly storage fee of approximately £1,000—Ollerenshaw withdrew from the acquisition and returned ownership to the airport. Subsequently, the Vulcan was sold for scrap at £4,800 and removed from the site on 12 January 2006.
In 2006, British NorthWest Airlines—the smallest carrier based at Blackpool—ceased operations for both charter and scheduled services. The Isle of Man routes were then taken over by Citywing, offering up to three daily flights with onward connections to Belfast City. Citywing introduced competitive fares on these routes, resulting in a significant increase in passenger numbers by January 2007.
Responding to the airport’s expansion, a new operator named Jetstream Express launched flights in 2007 connecting Blackpool with Belfast City Airport starting in May, followed by services to Aberdeen Airport in June and Southampton Airport in July. The Belfast route competed directly with Jet2’s twice-daily Northern Ireland service. Two Jetstream 31 aircraft were stationed at Blackpool to support these operations; however, all routes were discontinued by June 2007 due to lack of commercial viability.
In addition, Jet2 terminated its Prague and Amsterdam routes in 2007 citing inadequate passenger volumes.
Until January 2007, City Hopper Airports Limited owned and managed Blackpool Airport alongside Wolverhampton Airport and Biella Airport in Italy. Following a buyout by one of its principal shareholders, management changed hands as MAR Properties Ltd secured full ownership of both Blackpool and Wolverhampton Airports. In May 2008, it was revealed that Balfour Beatty—already proprietor of Exeter Airport and Londonderry Eglinton Airport—had acquired MAR Properties’ 95% stake in Blackpool Airport; the remaining 5% remained with Blackpool Borough Council.
On 6 May 2008, Balfour Beatty completed the purchase of a controlling interest (95%) in Blackpool Airport from CityHopper Airports Ltd for £14 million. This construction firm also held ownership of Exeter Airport.
On 18 July 2008, the Blackpool Gazette reported that Jet2 intended to suspend its daily service between Blackpool and Belfast International for the winter season. Declining passenger numbers combined with rising fuel costs were cited as reasons for this decision. The airline planned to resume daily flights starting March 2009.
Although Ryanair announced substantial capacity reductions across several airports—including Stansted—from October 2008 through March 2009, Blackpool was initially unaffected. Nevertheless, on 25 November 2008 Ryanair declared its intention to cease all operations at Blackpool starting from 5 January 2009 as a response to the airport’s introduction of a £10 per passenger Airport Development Fee.
Following Ryanair's withdrawal due to the development fee imposed at the start of 2009, efforts were made to find a replacement carrier for the popular Dublin route. Aer Arann took over these services shortly thereafter. These flights continued until the airport’s closure in 2014.
Airport developments from 2011 to 2014
Throughout 2011, the airfield experienced several modifications. Runway 07/25 was decommissioned as an operational runway and subsequently converted into Taxiway C. The original Taxiway C was closed, with its northern segment—located between Runway 10/28 and the former Runway 07/25—being incorporated as an extension of Taxiway E. Additionally, the airport's Fire Services were relocated from their previous position north of the fuel farm to a more centralized location between the terminal building and several flying clubs, situated on the Taxiway B apron.
On 28 January 2012, proposals were announced to introduce a twice-weekly route to Albert–Picardie Airport operated by Danish Air Transport using an ATR-72 aircraft. Although the service was scheduled to commence in late April, these flights were cancelled prior to the official launch.
In June 2012, Jet2.com revealed plans to begin flights to Dalaman and Ibiza starting May 2013. Shortly thereafter, the airline also added Lanzarote to its list of destinations. For the 2013 season, Jersey was replaced by Ibiza, expanding Jet2’s destinations from Blackpool Airport to ten.
In early November 2012, Jet2 announced year-round flights to Lanzarote. This development expanded the airport’s schedule with three additional destinations and introduced winter services for the airline. Following this announcement, Jet2 confirmed in April 2013 that the Lanzarote route would be operated using larger aircraft beginning October 2013. The Boeing 737-800 was chosen for this upgrade—a model not seen at Blackpool since Ryanair ceased their 737-800 operations in January 2009.
On 13 May 2013, Jet2 posted on their website that Menorca would be reinstated as a destination from Blackpool Airport. The weekly flights were set to begin on 21 May 2014 and would be available for booking throughout the summer season.
After the conclusion of the summer season in 2013, Jet2 announced the cancellation of their Belfast service due to declining passenger numbers. This removal reduced Jet2’s destinations at Blackpool to ten, leaving Citywing as the sole operator providing daily flights to Belfast via the Isle of Man.
Passenger statistics for 2013 marked the highest throughput since 2009, with a total of 262,630 travellers passing through the airport. This increase was largely attributed to the introduction of three new summer routes by Jet2—to Dalaman, Ibiza, and Lanzarote—which boosted passenger numbers by approximately 10% compared to the previous year.
On 4 April 2014, an update on the Dart Group website announced that from May 2015 holidaymakers across Lancashire would have access to an additional Spanish destination departing from Blackpool Airport: Reus, located in eastern Spain. This new route would bring Jet2’s total destinations served from Blackpool to eleven and increase mainland Spain connections to four.
In late August 2014, Balfour Beatty declared its intention to sell Blackpool Airport. According to reports in the Blackpool Gazette, this decision formed part of a broader strategy to divest all regional airport holdings. This announcement came six years after Balfour Beatty had acquired a controlling 95% stake in the airport for £14 million.
On 7 October 2014, it was officially declared that Blackpool Airport would cease operations on 15 October due to failure to secure a buyer. The final scheduled commercial flight was V9117 bound for Isle of Man, operated by Citywing, while the last commercial departure was flight EGL62X heading to Exeter, flown by Capital Air Charter.
Subsequently, on 18 November 2014, Squires Gate Airport Operations—a company established by Balfour Beatty as parent entity and airport owner—purchased the airport back from Balfour Beatty. It was anticipated that future operations would be significantly scaled down compared to pre-closure activity on 15 October when debts had reached £34 million and approximately 100 jobs had been lost.
Airport reopening and progress since January 2015
In March 2015, the government revealed plans to establish a new enterprise zone encompassing parts of Blackpool Airport’s land along with adjacent areas. This development was designed to coexist without disrupting the airport’s ongoing activities. Following this, Blackpool Airport resumed flights to destinations including the Isle of Man and Belfast, operating from a more compact terminal facility.
By January 2016, planning approval was finally secured—despite opposition from local residents—to demolish the old passenger terminal and construct a new Energy College focused on renewable energy, affiliated with Blackpool and The Fylde College. The original main terminal, which had undergone extensive refurbishment in 2005 and was capable of accommodating up to two million passengers annually, had been left vacant since the airport’s closure in October 2014. Additionally, all landside and airside equipment was sold off at auction in 2015. Demolition of the terminal commenced in February 2016 and was completed within approximately four weeks. Following this, construction work on the new college facility began.
Citywings established a dedicated base within the former Jet2 administrative offices, providing amenities such as a check-in desk, reception lounge, restroom facilities, and a modest departure lounge. This new setup also offers secured access to airside areas, eliminating the need for passengers to exit the building and pass through the Vehicle Search Point (VSP) for security clearance.
Since reopening in 2014, Blackpool Airport has experienced consistent growth in general aviation, business jet, and occasional military traffic. This rise is attributed to enhanced fire safety provisions; the airport now maintains category 3 fire cover during standard operating hours on weekdays, with higher categories available upon request. In 2021, fire cover was upgraded to category 4 during open hours, allowing acceptance of category 5 aircraft under remission. Category 6 fire cover can be arranged with at least 24 hours’ notice, contingent on adequate fire crew and air traffic control staffing.
In June 2022, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson suggested reopening the airport, describing it as "a fantastic business case." However, these remarks were dismissed by local council officials as mere "political posturing."
Offshore helicopter operations
Since the early 1980s, Blackpool has served as the hub for offshore helicopter services, transporting personnel to and from oil and gas installations in the Irish Sea. These flights operate out of a dedicated helicopter terminal, purposefully constructed and inaugurated in October 1985, situated adjacent to the former primary passenger terminal, now repurposed as the Energy College.
Initially, Bond Helicopters/Management Aviation managed these flights before CHC Scotia took over. On 1 January 2010, Bond Offshore Helicopters resumed control of the operations. Subsequently, on 25 April 2016, Bond Offshore Helicopters rebranded as Babcock Mission Critical Services Offshore (Babcock MCS).
On 5 May 2020, it was announced that NHV Helicopters had secured a long-term agreement with Spirit Energy to provide passenger transfer services supporting their East Irish Sea activities. NHV Helicopters officially assumed this contract from Babcock MCS on 1 December 2020. Currently, NHV operates two AgustaWestland AW169 helicopters daily, servicing multiple oil and gas platforms throughout the Irish Sea (refer to the list below). The conclusion of Babcock MCS’s tenure also marked the end of 37 years of Dauphin helicopter operations based at Blackpool.
Template:Airport destination list
Statistics
| <timeline>
ImageSize = width:auto height:250 barincrement:29 PlotArea = left:90 bottom:15 top:10 right:15 AlignBars = justify Period = from:0 till:50 TimeAxis = orientation:vertical Colors = id:gray value:gray(0.5) id:line1 value:gray(0.9) id:line2 value:gray(0.7) ScaleMajor = start:0 increment:10 gridcolor:line2 ScaleMinor = start:0 increment:5 gridcolor:line1 PlotData= color:blue width:20 bar:2015 from:start till:33.075 bar:2016 from:start till:33.749 bar:2017 from:start till:33.429 bar:2018 from:start till:37.526 bar:2019 from:start till:36.289 bar:2020 from:start till:25.404 bar:2021 from:start till:39.587 bar:2022 from:start till:37.259 bar:2023 from:start till:38.918 bar:2024 from:start till:38.735 </timeline> |
| Updated as of 29 May 2025 |
| Year | Passengers | Aircraft Movements | Executive Movements | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 33,494 | 33,075 | 846 | |
| 2016 | 36,269 | 33,749 | 883 | |
| 2017 | 23,391 | 33,429 | 876 | |
| 2018 | 19,321 | 37,526 | 864 | |
| 2019 | 15,213 | 36,289 | 700 | |
| 2020 | 11,412 | 25,404 | 396 | |
| 2021* | 0 | 39,587 | 413 | |
| 2022* | 9,428 | 37,259 | 649 | |
| 2023 | 14,365 | 38,918 | 597 | |
| 2024 | 18,739 | 38,735 | 795 | |
| Source data from CAA Official Statistics *Passenger figures for oil rig transfers excluded between January 2021 and May 2022 inclusive. Updated as of 29 May 2025 | ||||
| Rank | Destination Airport | Passengers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alicante | 35,652 |
| 2 | Palma | 27,717 |
| 3 | Faro | 27,161 |
| 4 | Málaga | 21,708 |
| 5 | Tenerife South | 20,741 |
| 6 | Isle of Man | 14,890 |
| 7 | Dublin | 14,624 |
| 8 | Lanzarote | 10,990 |
| 9 | Murcia | 10,112 |
| 10 | Ibiza | 9,841 |
Accidents and incidents
- On 29 June 1972, a HFB 320 Hansa Jet with the registration D-CASY did not achieve rotation during takeoff on a flight destined for Munich. The aircraft overran the runway, causing damage to the railway line south of Squires Gate railway station before crashing into the Pontins holiday park in Blackpool, destroying six chalets. Out of the eight people aboard, including passengers and crew, only one survived with severe injuries. Those on board were employees of Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm stationed at Warton Aerodrome.
- On 27 September 1982, a Douglas C-47 registered G-AKNB and operated by Harvest Air sustained damage beyond economic repair during an accident at Blackpool Airport.
- A Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin, registration G-BLUN, crashed into the Irish Sea on 27 December 2006, approximately 24 miles offshore. The helicopter carried seven individuals—five passengers and two crew members. While six bodies were recovered, the seventh was never found. This helicopter was based at Blackpool Airport, with the flight originating from the Squires Gate facility.
- On 3 February 2007, a Piper PA-28 Cherokee bearing registration G-BBBK crashed along the Fylde Coast while inbound to Blackpool. The pilot was conducting a VFR flight from Exeter Airport and attempted to land amidst dense fog. Unable to locate the airport, he continued several miles north before descending and crashing into shallow waters between Blackpool’s central and southern piers. Both individuals onboard perished.
- A Rockwell Commander aircraft registered as 2-ROAM was approaching Blackpool Airport from the Isle of Man on 2 December 2015 when it encountered thick cloud cover and fog with visibility down to approximately 200 feet. Contact with Air Traffic Control was lost at 09:15 that day. Wreckage was subsequently located by the RNLI and Search and Rescue teams several miles off the Blackpool coast.
- At approximately 5:30 pm on 16 November 2023, a Robin R200 aircraft registered G-HIGB, owned by High-G Flight Training based locally, executed a forced landing on Blackpool Promenade about three kilometers north of the airport following reports of engine difficulties. No injuries occurred, and there was no damage sustained by the aircraft.
Citations
Bibliography
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See also
External links
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- Official website
- Blackpool Airport 1983–84 Part Two – North West Air News
Template:Airports in the United Kingdom, the British Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories Template:Borough of Fylde culture
- Pages with script errors
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- Buildings and structures in Blackpool
- Aviation in Lancashire
- Buildings and structures in the Borough of Fylde
- Airports established in 1909
- 1909 establishments in England
- Aircraft assembly plants in England
- Airports in Lancashire