Blackpool International airport has confirmed it will close next month unless a buyer can be found.
A statement from the airport said it has “been making a loss for a number of years” and will close on October 7 if no agreement can be made.
“On 28 August 2014, we announced our intention to find a buyer for the airport operating company. The airport operations have been making a loss for a number of years and we are currently exploring a number of options in an attempt to secure the future of the airport, the statement said.
“We regretfully confirm that if no agreement can be reached before 7 October 2014 which ensures the viability of its operations, then it is likely that the airport operations will close. In this event, we expect that the last commercial flights will take place on Wednesday 15 October 2014.”
The airport was brought in 2008 by engineering company Balfour Betty that said it’s “exploring a number of options” to secure the future of Blackpool airport.
A spokesperson for Jet2, one of three airlines operating from Blackpool, said the announcement came as a surprise.
"Should the airport make the decision to close, contingency plans will be in place and we will do everything we can to support both our loyal Jet2.com and Jet2holidays staff and customers.”
Blackpool International employs around 100 staff with annual passenger numbers reaching 550,000 in 2007. These had dropped to just over 235,000 by 2012, with last year's total recovering slightly to nearly 263,000."