New airport owner pledges £5m investment

Passenger flights from Carlisle stopped operating in March 2020 and never resumed

The new owner of an airport pledged to invest millions of pounds as it officially announced the site's takeover.

AW Jenkinson Group has taken over responsibility for Carlisle Lake District Airport from previous owner Esken.

The company said it will invest £5m to create "quality sustainable jobs".

While it said the previous company had been unable to secure a deal to operate commercial flights, AW Jenkinson did not reveal whether it would be pursuing new routes.

Under Stobart Group's ownership in 2019, Scottish-based company Loganair ran flights from Carlisle to Dublin, Belfast and London Southend.

However, flights did not resume following the coronavirus pandemic.

'Economic purpose'

A spokesman for AW Jenkinson said the company had now assumed responsibility for the airport, including the leased buildings on the site.

He added: "Following the cessation of passenger flying in March 2020 due to the impact of Covid, and despite best efforts by Esken, it has not been possible to identify a commercial airline to partner with to facilitate the recommencement of commercial flying.

"Agreement has now been reached between Cumberland Council and Esken to facilitate the change of ownership to the AW Jenkinson Group."

The company said it aimed to provide the site with "long-term economic purpose".

It declined to offer more information on plans for the site.