On a wing and a prayer for airport (From Bournemouth Echo)

On a wing and a prayer for airport

10:05am Thursday 3rd January 2013 in Opinion

On a wing and a prayer for airport

THESE are difficult times for Bournemouth Airport. It was unfortunate timing that the Manchester Airports Group should invest £50m in Bournemouth at the very same time that the UK economy suffered its worst downturn for decades.

The aviation sector always gets hit hard when the going gets tough.

Today’s news that Blue Islands is pulling out from next month is another massive blow, though one that probably came as no big surprise to airport management.

They will have seen the figures. And for the airline, they simply don’t stack up, especially when compared with Southampton. Quite simply, not enough people are using the services available. Carriers won’t commit to new destinations unless they are confident they will be supported.

As Rob Veron of Blue Islands says, they must concentrate on sustainable services. And that’s the heart of the problem.

A fine new look airport. But not enough sustainability.