Cornwall Airport Newquay set to benefit from relief of business rates
The cash is designed to help airports that have been struggling amid the coronavirus pandemic
It is hoped that Cornwall Airport Newquay will get financial help and benefit from a relief of business rates.
The government has confirmed that airports across the country will be able to apply for up to £8million in January to cover its business rates for 2021/22.
The move is designed to support airports such as Newquay’s who have suffered massive drops in use through the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Cornwall Airport Newquay welcomes the announcement of business rates relief for English airports from January and the recognition from government of the vital role regional airports will play in supporting the recovery of their local economies in 2021.
"The support announced is worth around £500,000 to the Airport and whilst this is a positive step in the right direction, it falls well short of addressing the true impact of COVID-19 and the collapse of Flybe on the Airport, which is expected to be over £5 million over the next two years.
"The measures announced must now be followed up with further sector-specific support, including relief of Air Passenger Duty on domestic flights, and more support for vital Public Service Obligation routes across the UK as part of the government’s review into regional connectivity.”
Cornwall Airport Newquay
It has been welcomed by Mid Cornwall MP Steve Double, who has been campaigning for the government to provide more support for regional airports.
“It’s great news that all airports will pay no business rates this year. This will be a great help to the aviation sector including our own local airports like Cornwall Airport Newquay.
“As Co-Chair of the Regional Airports All Party Parliamentary Group and local MP for Cornwall’s vital airport, I have seen first-hand the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on these critical parts of our transport network.
“I have been pushing for more support for airports for months, and I'm delighted the Chancellor has taken this step. There is much more to do to support our airport and aviation in general but this is an important step forward in helping them through the pandemic.”
Steve Double, MP for St Austell and Newquay
“As Cornwall Council owns Cornwall Airport Newquay, we are delighted to see this additional support come forward from the government to support it in its vital running costs.
“This airport is a critical part of Cornwall’s transport infrastructure and it is only right that we do all we can to support it through this difficult time.
"My thanks to the airport’s MP Steve Double and the other Cornish MPs for successfully helping to make the case for support, and to this Conservative Government for listening and acting accordingly.”
Linda Taylor, Cornwall Council