Blackpool Airport to close after 'no buyer found'

A buyer for the airport has not been found, forcing its closure.

Blackpool International Airport has announced it will close on 15 October after a buyer was not found.

A statement on the airport website said: "Unfortunately there is no option for the company other than to close."

Owners Balfour Beatty announced last week it had set 7 October as a deadline for any sale to be completed.

"This is a very sad day for the airport which has a proud aviation history and a loyal, appreciative customer following," the statement added.

Transferring flights

The company said the airport had been making a loss for several years and had to close because no agreement had been made to secure its future.

It added the airport will remain open to the public until 15 October and will maintain operations as normal until then.

Balfour Beatty, which bought the site in 2008, put it up for sale in August.

About 110 staff are employed at the airport, which served some 235,000 passengers last year.

Jet2, which had been operating out of the airport, will be transferring its Blackpool flights to Manchester from Friday.