Carlisle councillors to debate future of Carlisle Lake District Airport
Proposal seeks to restore commercial services and promote regional economic growth.
A move to secure the long-term future of Carlisle Lake District Airport will be proposed in the city next week.
Cllr Robert Betton (Botcherby, Independent) is due to propose his motion at a meeting of Cumberland Council at The Civic Centre on Tuesday (November 3). He will be seconded by Cllr Chris Wills (Upperby, Lib Dems).
Cllr Betton’s motion states that the council should note that the airport was originally established as RAF Crosby-on-Eden in 1941 and it has been an important part of the area’s economic and transport infrastructure for more than 80 years.
It adds: “The airport has historically provided passenger services connecting Carlisle with destinations including London, Belfast, Dublin and the Isle of Man, whilst also supporting employment, tourism and business activity across Cumbria.
“Following significant investment and the opening of a new passenger terminal, scheduled commercial services returned in 2019 after a 26-year absence.
“However, those services ceased during the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020 and have not been reinstated.”
The motion states that, in May 2024, the airport came under the control of the AW Jenkinson Group, which committed to maintaining the site as an aerodrome and investing in its future development.
It adds: “Cumberland Council remains the landlord of the airport site and therefore has an important role in supporting its future success.
“In July 2024, council Leader Mark Fryer stated that he supported efforts to restore commercial flights to Carlisle and confirmed that the council would continue working with the airport’s owners and partners to secure their return.
“It is disappointing that, despite many years of involvement from successive administrations and all major political parties across local government in Cumbria, little meaningful progress has been made towards fully realising the airport’s long-term potential as a strategic transport, tourism and economic asset.”
In addition, Cllr’s Betton’s motion will ask that the council believes that Carlisle Lake District Airport remains a strategically important asset for Carlisle, the council area and the wider Borderlands region.
“The restoration of sustainable commercial passenger services would improve connectivity, support tourism, encourage inward investment and help create skilled jobs. The airport should form part of Cumberland’s long-term economic growth ambitions,” it adds.
The motion asks that the council should therefore resolve to reaffirm its support for the long-term restoration of sustainable commercial passenger services at Carlisle Lake District Airport.
The motion “requests that the leader of the council engages with the AW Jenkinson Group, airlines, the Borderlands Partnership, local MPs and relevant Government departments to explore opportunities for restoring commercial passenger services.”