Newquay Airport’s Road to Expansion

In the early 1970s, the airport, which uses one of the country’s largest military runways at RAF St Mawgan, begins civil air services.

1975: The first passenger terminal facility is erected by British Midland Airways.

1977: Brymon takes over the running of the airport.

Viscounts operations from the airport grow.

Alidair, Guernsey Air Lines and Jersey European Air lines all run services.

Early 1990s: A major building programme under co-ownership between Restormel Borough Council and Cornwall County Council.

1993: The new civil airport terminal is opened by English Estates.

2000: Plymouth’s Sutton Harbour Holdings wins the contract to run the airport.

The existing airport passenger terminal is improved with a single- storey extension.

2001: The terminal is made 70 per cent larger in a pounds2.3 million expansion plan. With improved parking and an adjacent hangar, the airport offers services to London Gatwick, London Stansted, the Isles of Scilly, Bristol and Southampton.

2003: Serco Aerospace is chosen to run the airport over Sutton Harbour Holdings.

2004: Cornwall County Council takes sole ownership of Newquay.

2006: The opening of the new extension to the existing passenger terminal building takes place – including security and safety improvements, car park extension and airside pavement works.

2007: Cornwall Airport Limited assumes operational management of the airport, following the expiry of Serco’s contract.

2008: Military flights from RAF St Mawgan to continue until December. Further expansion of airport due to take place.

(c) 2008 Western Morning News, The Plymouth (UK). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.