Carlisle Lake District Airport
Carlisle Lake District Airport | |||||||||||||||
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AMSL 190 ft / 58 m | | ||||||||||||||
Coordinates | 54°56′15″N 002°48′33″W / 54.93750°N 2.80917°W | ||||||||||||||
Website | www | ||||||||||||||
Map | |||||||||||||||
Location in Cumbria, England Location in the City of Carlisle district, Cumbria | |||||||||||||||
Runways | |||||||||||||||
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Statistics (2021) | |||||||||||||||
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Sources: UK |
Carlisle Lake District Airport (IATA: CAX, ICAO: EGNC) is a regional airport located 5 NM (9.3 km; 5.8 mi) east north-east of Carlisle, England. Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the passenger terminal has been closed as from the 1st of April 2020 "until further notice".[3]
Carlisle has a
Since May 2009, the airport has been owned by
History
RAF Crosby-on-Eden
In the early 1930s, the City of Carlisle County Borough Council opened Kingstown Municipal Airport, at the time outside the borough boundaries which later became RAF Kingstown and is now Kingstown and Kingmoor industrial estates and business parks. With the outbreak of war in 1939, RAF Kingstown's runway was too small for bombers, so the Royal Air Force developed a new airstrip at Crosby-on-Eden to the east of Carlisle, on the line of the Stanegate Roman road.[7] The new facility came into operation in February 1941 for training operations, designating the station RAF Crosby-on-Eden.
Originally housing No. 59 Operational Training Unit, the station provided day training for
Purchase by the local authorities
In 1960
During the early 1980’s Carlisle Airport was used by Specialist Flight Training to train military pilots in helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. Notably, the training of Iraqi pilots for the Iran-Iraq War was a key part of the programme. Specialist Flight Training had at least 7 Gazelle helicopters which, at the time, were registered sequentially from G-SFTA to G-SFTG together with at least 2 Firecracker fixed wing aircraft registered, at that time, as G-SFTR and G-SFTS. The trainee pilots had a reputation locally for being slightly reckless with various incidents occurring during the period that Specialist Flight Training were operational at the airport. The most notable incidents were those involving G-SFTA and G-SFTB.
In 1997, the council agreed to extend the runway to allow Boeing 737s to land into a new air-cargo hub, but the proposal collapsed.
Sale to Haughey Airports
As the airport had lost £3.5 million on operations between 1979 and 1994,
Acquisition by WA Developments
On 7 April 2006, Haughey Airports was acquired by WA Developments, which had acquired
Becoming part of the Esken (formerly Stobart Group)
Following WA Developments' decision to merge
In January 2009,
Current operations
Carlisle Lake District Airport covers 460 acres (190 ha), of which 212 acres (86 ha) are used for airport-related activities, and the balance of 248 acres (100 ha) is in the process of being developed for logistics and aviation-related activities.
Its main activity presently provides facilities for flight training and sightseeing flights. The airport is host to these businesses: Carlisle Flight Training and Aero Club, Border Air Training and Northumbria Helicopters.
Solway Aviation Museum occupies a small part of the site.
A lorry driving training company, System Training, is based at Carlisle Airport Business Park, a site opposite Carlisle Lake District Airport, and was featured in Series 2, Episode 7 of the
ECM (Vehicle Delivery Service) Ltd has its HQ at the airport.[11]
In August 2020, during the
Airport redevelopment
Since the airport's purchase by
There were also plans to commence passenger flights to Belfast, Dublin and London by April 2016 but by 2017 these remained just plans.[12] However, in March 2019 it was reported that flights to London Southend, Belfast City and Dublin airports with Loganair were scheduled to start on 4 July 2019.[6]
Redevelopment plans 1
Under
On 4 April 2008 controversy emerged surrounding the proposed developments to Carlisle Lake District Airport. In response to 63 apparently overly restrictive planning conditions placed on the development plans of Stobart Air, Andrew Tinkler apparently intended to move the Stobart haulage and warehousing operation out of Carlisle to Widnes, as a contingency 'plan B', asserting the redevelopment under the proposed condition would not be completed in time.[17]
By 8 April talks had proceeded and centred on ten disputed points.[18]
On 10 April 2008 it was announced that Andrew Tinkler and Carlisle City Council leader Mike Mitchelson shook hands on a revised list of conditions for the plan.[19]
Redevelopment plans 2
On 2 December 2008 the Stobart Group announced the surprise £21 million purchase of London Southend Airport. The acquisition was completed on 5 December 2008.
Planning permission was granted in December 2008 for the Carlisle Lake District Airport expansion and other developments, including a resurfaced runway and new terminal, a major transport and distribution facility for Eddie Stobart Ltd, along with a joint headquarters building.
On 30 May 2009, Stobart Group purchased Carlisle Lake District Airport from WA Developments for £9.9 million.
In October 2009 Andy Judge (former
However, on 19 May 2010 the Court of Appeal overturned the City Council's decision to grant planning permission due to an objection by a local farmer, a Mr Gordon Brown, on the grounds that a full environmental assessment had not been carried out before permission was considered.[citation needed] Eddie Stobart Ltd. expressed disappointment with the ruling and stated that (although they still retained a long-term commitment to Cumbria), in view of contractual obligations, they would now instead have to use facilities elsewhere.[citation needed]
Redevelopment plans 3
Phase 1
On 14 December 2010, Stobart Air submitted proposals to build a 394,000 sq ft (36,600 m2) Air Freight Distribution Centre on the site. Under the plans,
On 3 August 2012, Stobart Air was given permission by Carlisle City Council to develop the airport under these proposals. These included the raising and reprofiling of the main runway at the airport. The warehousing contracts would deliver the rental income required to help upgrade the airport facilities and allow passenger flights to commence.
Planning approval was subsequently overturned in the High Court in March 2014.
This first development covers 19 acres, and this site was sold to the real estate investment fund Gramercy Europe for £16.925 million on 22 February 2016.[28]
Phase 2
On 22 November 2016, Stobart Group announced it was developing 21 acres of land adjacent to its existing Air Freight Distribution Centre in an area to be called Eden Park. Eden Park will consist of industrial warehouse and distribution buildings ranging in size from 15,000 sq ft (1,400 m2) to 330,000 sq ft (31,000 m2), and is being marketed as of 2017.[29]
Phase 3
On 1 October 2015, Brampton and Beyond Energy Ltd (BABE) in conjunction with Stobart Energy announced plans to build a £1.5 million anaerobic digester renewable energy plant on a piece of woodland to the west of the site by 2018.[30]
Passenger movements
Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org. |
Year
|
Passengers
handled |
Passengers
handled % change |
Aircraft
movements |
Aircraft
movements % change |
Freight
(tonnes) |
Freight
% change |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2010 | 0 | 18,419 | 0 | |||
2011 | 0 | 14,911 | 19.0 | 0 | ||
2012 | 0 | 17,349 | 16.4 | 0 | ||
2013 | 0 | 17,280 | 0.4 | 0 | ||
2014 | 0 | 16,427 | 4.9 | 0 | ||
2015 | 0 | 18,427 | 12.2 | 0 | ||
2016 | 0 | 19,826 | 7.6 | 0 | ||
2017 | 0 | 17,439 | 12.0 | 0 | ||
2018 | 0 | 4,330 | 75.2 | 0 | ||
2019 | 8,257 | 14,421 | 233.0 | 0 | ||
2020 | 2,460 | 70.2 | 1,501 | 89.6 | 0 | |
2021 | 0 | 100.0 | 0 | 100.0 | 0 | |
2022 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Commercial service
Although regular scheduled flights from the airport have operated, few have been commercially viable leading to a series of failed operations:
- In 1946 after World War II, British European Airways commenced flights to Isle of Man and Belfast–International, but these stopped in 1947.
- In 1961 BKS Air Transport operated a service to Leeds/Bradford.
- In 1967 Autair started a service to London, using London–Luton at first, then London–Heathrow. They also operated a summer service to Jersey. In 1969 they stopped all their schedules and changed their name to Court Line.
- In 1978 British Nuclear Fuels began flying nuclear material to customers in the UK and Europe, but this was stopped shortly after coming to media attention,[31] only to recommence in 1987.[citation needed]
- In 1982 Air Ecosse started flights to Scotland (Aberdeen, Glasgow, Dundee), and London–Heathrow, followed a year later for two summer seasons only to the Isle of Man. After the collapse of Air Ecosse in 1985, its routes ceased and only the route to London continued, being run for two years by EuroAir.[31]
- In 1985 Viking began flights to Jersey as a charter operation but the following year operated as a schedule by BAF until October 1987.[31]
- In 1987 Air Furness briefly revived Isle of Man flights until July 1988.[31]
- In December 1988, Pan Am operated a Boeing 727 charter flight from London–Heathrow bringing grieving relatives to the scene of the Pan Am Flight 103 crash site at the nearby town of Lockerbie.
- In 1993 New Air started a London service to London–Stansted, but collapsed two months later. Lakeside Northwest continued the service until the end of the year, but also collapsed.[31]
- In 1994 Northumberland-based Geordie Air Travel never got off the ground.[31]
- In 1995 Lewis Holidays planned to run Saturday flights to Jersey, which never happened.[31]
- In 1996 Cumbria County Council refused to give financial support to Belgian airline VLM Airlines for 4 flights per day to London City Airport.[31]
- In 2020 Loganair have suspended all scheduled flights from 27 March 2020 until further notice.[32] In July 2020, it was confirmed by Carlisle Airport that Loganair had no plans to resume flights to and from Carlisle airport [33]
Accidents and incidents
- On 17 October 1961, a Leeds Bradford International Airport to Carlisle as it approached the airport in low cloud, rain and strong winds. All four crew were killed.[34]
In popular culture
- Over the weekend of 14/15 May 2011 the airport was used by the Radio 1's Big Weekend, featuring headline acts such as Lady Gaga, My Chemical Romance and the Foo Fighters. An assortment of stages were assembled on site, including a main tent with a capacity of over 12,000 people.[35]
- The airport has been used for smaller concerts, such as bands like The Script in 2011.[citation needed]
- Stobart Festwas hosted at the airport in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
See also
References
- ^ "Carlisle – EGNC". Retrieved 5 June 2019.
- ^ "UK airport data: Tables 3, 9 and 13.pdf". UK Civil Aviation Authority. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
- ^ https://www.carlisleairport.co.uk/
- ^ "The Prehistoric Society – Past No. 29". www.ucl.ac.uk. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
- ^ "Carlisle airport to re-open for scheduled passenger flights for first time in 16 years". The Independent. 23 January 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
- ^ a b "Home". www.carlisleairport.co.uk. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
- ^ a b "News & Star". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007.
- ^ "Royal Air Force Milfield". www.milfield.org.uk. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
- ^ "RAF Carlisle airfield". www.controltowers.co.uk. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
- ^ "History of Dakota KG651". Archived from the original on 28 September 2007.
- ^ "» Contact | ECM".
- ^ "News & Star – News – Stobart Group chief oversees start of Carlisle Airport work". 16 December 2014. Archived from the original on 16 December 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
- ^ "Latest News". ITV News. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
- ^ Poston, Toby (6 September 2006). "Where next for 'Steady Eddie' Stobart?". BBC News.
- ^ "Where next for 'Steady Eddie' Stobart?". BBC News. 6 September 2006.
- ^ "News & Star". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007.
- ^ Stobart Pulls Out Of Cumbria Archived 8 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine Carlisle News and Star , 8 April 2008
- ^ Stobart and Council Edge Towards City Airport Deal Archived 12 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine Carlisle News and Star, 8 April 2008
- ^ "News & Star". Newsandstar.co.uk. Archived from the original on 12 August 2009. Retrieved 18 February 2010.
- ^ "News & Star". Archived from the original on 7 March 2012.
- ^ "BBC News – New Carlisle Airport development plan submitted". Bbc.co.uk. 17 January 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
- ^ "Stobart Group submits extra detail for Carlisle Airport revamp plans". in-cumbria. 19 August 2011. Archived from the original on 31 March 2012. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
- ^ "Stobart gets go-ahead for Carlisle Lake District Airport". The Westmorland.
- ^ "News & Star | News | Future of Carlisle Airport to be decided in July". Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
- ^ North West Evening Mail, "North West Evening Mail | Blow for Stobart as airlines scrap routes". Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
- ^ "News & Star – News – Carlisle council gives go-ahead to city airport overhaul". 26 October 2014. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
- ^ "News & Star – News – Deadline for Carlisle Airport objections passes with no legal challenge". 3 November 2014. Archived from the original on 3 November 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
- ^ "Disposal of Distribution Centre – Stobart Group Ltd (STOB) – RNS Company Announcements – Equities – FE Trustnet". www2.trustnet.com. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
- ^ "Stobart launches second phase of Carlisle Airport redevelopment". In Cumbria. 21 November 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
- ^ "Eco-friendly power plant plans for Carlisle Airport". In Cumbria. 28 September 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h M Green. "Highs and lows over 66 years of Carlisle Airport". Times & Star. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
- ^ "Flights from Carlisle Lake District Airport suspended". www.loganair.co.uk.
- ^ @BBC_Cumbria (24 July 2020). "Carlisle Airport faces an uncertain future, as Loganair says it has no plans to resume flights any time soon. Jim…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "G-AMVC Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 22 March 2011.
- ^ "BBC – Radio 1's Big Weekend 2011 – Home". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
External links
Media related to Carlisle Lake District Airport at Wikimedia Commons