Blackpool Airport unveils facelift
March 13, 2006Blackpool Airport claims it now has the weaponry to take on rival hubs at Manchester and Liverpool after unveiling a £2 million refurbishment of its Squires Gate terminal.
A packed crowd watched last week as officials cut the ribbon on 14 new check-in desks, an open plan departure lounge and several new airport shops, Blackpool Today reports.
Blackpool Council sold the hub to City Hopper only 18 months ago and the new owners hope the investment will allow it to achieve rapid growth.
"We want to offer safe, convenient and low-cost flying to millions of people and we now have a terminal which can offer that," said City Hopper's Paul Whelan.
"By 2010 we want to have six million passengers passing through the terminal. This year we hope to top the one million mark."
Former rugby legend Bill Beaumont was wheeled out to officially open the new terminal, saying it was "an exciting time" for the airport.
Crucially, Blackpool Airport has three major budget airlines on its side to support its planned expansion.
No-frills airlines Ryanair, Jet2.com and Monarch Scheduled already serve 20 sunny destinations around Europe from Blackpool.
© Adfero Ltd
