Plymouth’s businesses have welcomed moves to reopen the city’s mothballed airport and said they would use it – but have suggested some novel approaches including using it for training flights or even as a drone port.
A poll run by Business Live on Twitter resulted in 78% of respondents saying the 113-acre site, which was shut in 2011, should see flights return.
And dozens of business leaders have responded to the same question – asked if the airport should reopen – via LinkedIn.
The majority again backed the idea or restarting services from the airfield.
The airstrip was closed in 2011 when long-lease-holder Sutton Harbour Group Plc (SHG) triggered a so-called “Armageddon clause” enabling it to stop flights if the aerodrome was deemed uneconomic.
The Derriford site has been disused since, and SHG now wants to turn it into a mixed-use housing-led estate, though planning inspectors have kiboshed development of the site until 2024.
But with Cllr Tudor Evans, leader of freehold-owner Plymouth City Council, saying he would like to see the site reopened, and the Government should help finance it, business bosses have said the idea is a flyer.
Brett Phaneuf, president of Submergence Group, which runs Plymouth submarine manufacturer M Subs, said reopening the airstrip would benefit the business, its employees and customers.
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He said he would like to see: “The airport open so that we could fly to London City Airport, or elsewhere in the 海角视频 and EU.”
And he added: “It would be a great way to back up the rail-line service as well. Great to see this being seriously discussed. I'd use it almost weekly if it were to reopen.”
Mr Phaneuf is one of the business bosses who also back the idea of using the site for drone flights. He said: “I actually thought that a drone-port for developing that tech would be ideal here in Plymouth, coupled with our marine autonomy efforts.
“There is a similar drone-port R&D centre in Germany that would serve as a model for us. We should go for it. “
Daniel Green, managing director at the Black Arrows, said: “If there is a struggle to make a viable business with passenger-based aircraft, has anyone had the thought to speak to Amazon et al about Plymouth leading the way in becoming a hub for drone-based deliveries and more?”
Stuart Elford, chief executive of Devon and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, said: “It is fair to say that numerous businesses would like to see it reopen.
“If a sustainable and viable plan is put forward then I would support it. It may be some way off until scheduled flights return, but general aviation, military and business jets etc would be a good start. “
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Darren Lawson, owner of Lawson Estate Agents, said: “This would be a huge step for the city’s business credibility and viability. I’d certainly be a regular patron.”
Sales consultant Neil Jeffery, said: “I fly regularly from Exeter to London and miss the Plymouth Route.”
Entrepreneur Ryan Buckle said: “It needs to reopen if Plymouth wants to attract top talent and business to the area. A meeting in London can take two days out of your schedule through trains/driving, especially if you’re driving on a Friday.
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“With so many projects focussed on improving Plymouth, an airport will only support growth for businesses and the economy. it would be a massive help to our business as we work on contracts throughout the 海角视频.
“I have found travel to be the single biggest frustration and barrier to growth owning a business in Plymouth. Plymouth has changed since the airport closed, and there is a new focus in the city around business, growth and tourism which is great for the city but only if people can get in and out easily.”
Jason Harding, a contracts buyer for Princess Yachts, agreed and said: “The amount of meetings I have with suppliers who come down the night before and are there first thing so they can travel back and not get stuck too late in the South West is unbelievable.”
Sarah Greep, who runs Janner Jam, said: “It's just crazy not to have one in or at least nearer to Plymouth than Exeter and Newquay.”
But she asked: “Would reopening Plymouth, cause Newquay and Exeter to close?”
Brand development specialist David Smith said: “my wife and I still bemoan the loss of flights to South West Ireland.”
Social media expert Ash Mashhadi said: “I used it for business trips to London when it was open and would again if it reopened. So long as the cost wasn’t prohibitive this time.”
Quality consultant Allan Proudfoot said: “If Plymouth intends to attract high-profile international business then an airport is one of the checkboxes that competing locations will have filled.”
Martin Lewis, who works in off-shore diving and sub-sea, asked: “What city who wants to be seen as a prosperous place to live and work doesn't have its own airport?”
Robert Kathro, director at Environmental Futures and Bid Data Impact Lab, said: “I used to use the airport for work to connect to London or for flights via Bristol to the rest of the country. It's a key part of regional infrastructure.”
Katharine Bourke, director of South West Growth Service, said she was not convinced of the need for the airport to reopen, but agreed that businesses would would use it, and said: “I haven't seen anything to show that flight costs will be competitive, let alone direct.
“When we used to use Plymouth airport - something we did only for work - we almost always flew via Newquay to London and, even more infuriating, the same on the way back, so the idea of a direct flight was then a bit of a misnomer as it mostly involved a hop via Cornwall.”
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Business Live's South West Business Reporter is William Telford. William has more than a decade's experience reporting on the business scene in Plymouth and the South West. He is based in Plymouth but covers the entire region.
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But she added: “If the stats and research now support a direct flight link from Plymouth to other 海角视频 and European hubs, then I'm sure the whole business community would support it, provided flight costs are economic.
“That said, the idea of a direct work or home to airport link to Exeter and Newquay using modern logistics and transport options would, I'm sure, also be appealing.
“Imagine a service that picks you up from home, work or your hotel, a dolmus-style direct road-based service with wifi enabled vehicles (dare I mention autonomous ones?) taking you in comfort straight to the airport for your departure.
“And keep the existing airport as a training base and landing space for private aircraft and helicopters. Perhaps that could work too.”
And Trevor Worth, founder of Portcullis Legals, was also sceptical, and said: “As a Janner concerned about opportunities and links for the city then yes, absolutely. However has that ship already sailed with all the houses now built around it and the incredible growth and infrastructure of nearby Newquay and Exeter?”
Not everyone wanted flights to return, however, with marketing expert Stephen Bateman saying: “I'd rather preserve the planet than add further damage, so train will do nicely thank you.”
Simon Baker, and energy consultant at Lidl, said: “In the movement of carbon consciousness, short haul/domestic flights should become a thing of the past. As road transport is better (than short haul) and is set to turn greener sooner, perhaps links such as the A38 require development instead.”