| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 24/07/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 22 |
| Copyright: Other |
Doncaster finningley
Airtours threatens to pull out of airport if building is blocked
Report by LOUISELONGMAN
AIRTOURS has threatened to take its airline business elsewhere if Doncaster Finningley Airport fails to get the go-ahead to be built.A decision date on whether the former RAFbase is converted to a passenger airport is expected to be made in October by Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council.
Airtours is backing the construction of the airport but has hinted it may use airports abroad if Finningley is not built.
Airtours’ aviation director Bill McGrorty said: “I will be disappointed if Finningley Airport does not get the go-ahead. We have good coverage in the UK but we’ll have to take our business elsewhere including looking at international opportunities.”
The airport has a two mile-long runway, second in size only to Manchester in the North.
If permission is granted McGrorty said Airtours would consider operating long-haul flights from Finningley, taking them away from airports including Manchester.
Elaine Beckett, Donacaster Finningley Airport’s marketing manager, said a similar size runway to Finningley’s two miles would cost around £100m to develop. Beckett said other tour operators had also shown interest in the airport but she was unable to reveal names.