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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Blackpool Airport 'likely to close' if no buyer found | Blackpool Airport 'likely to close' if no buyer found |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Blackpool International Airport has announced it is "likely to close" if a buyer is not found. | Blackpool International Airport has announced it is "likely to close" if a buyer is not found. |
| A statement by the airport said if no sale agreement was reached by 7 October, the last commercial flights would take place on 15 October. | A statement by the airport said if no sale agreement was reached by 7 October, the last commercial flights would take place on 15 October. |
| It claimed the facility has been "making a loss for a number of years". | |
| Balfour Beatty, which bought the site in 2008, put it up for sale on 28 August to end its involvement in running regional airports. | Balfour Beatty, which bought the site in 2008, put it up for sale on 28 August to end its involvement in running regional airports. |
| The statement said: "On 28 August 2014, we announced our intention to find a buyer for the airport operating company. | |
| "The airport operations have been making a loss for a number of years and we are currently exploring a number of options in an attempt to secure the future of the airport." | "The airport operations have been making a loss for a number of years and we are currently exploring a number of options in an attempt to secure the future of the airport." |
| 'Surprise to us' | |
| When the decision to sell the site was announced, the airport said it was "business as usual" and flights would continue. | When the decision to sell the site was announced, the airport said it was "business as usual" and flights would continue. |
| "We regretfully confirm that if no agreement can be reached before 7 October 2014 which ensures the viability of its operations, then it is likely that the airport operations will close. | "We regretfully confirm that if no agreement can be reached before 7 October 2014 which ensures the viability of its operations, then it is likely that the airport operations will close. |
| "In this event, we expect that the last commercial flights will take place on Wednesday 15 October 2014," the statement added. | "In this event, we expect that the last commercial flights will take place on Wednesday 15 October 2014," the statement added. |
| The airport apologised and advised any affected passengers to contact their airline to confirm travel arrangements. | |
| About 110 staff are employed at the airport, which served some 235,000 passengers last year. | About 110 staff are employed at the airport, which served some 235,000 passengers last year. |
| A Balfour Beatty spokesman said: "Balfour Beatty can confirm that Blackpool Airport is exploring a number of options to secure a viable future for the continuation of operations. | |
| "We regret to advise that if no agreements can be reached to achieve this, then it is likely that the airport operation will close on 16 October 2014." | "We regret to advise that if no agreements can be reached to achieve this, then it is likely that the airport operation will close on 16 October 2014." |
| A spokesman for airline Jet2.com, which flies from Blackpool, said the announcement had "come as a surprise to us". | |
| He said should the airport close, "contingency plans will be in place and we will do everything we can to support both our loyal staff and customers". |