News

Lydd Airport is already showing signs of expansion as it awaits the planning decision from Shepway Council which could see it able to handle half a million passengers a year.

Reports indicate that many new jobs have been created following a sharp increase in business.

Staff numbers have been increased across the board, including ground operations, air traffic control, catering, customer services and the airport's rescue and fire fighting service.

The airport reports a very busy few months and expects the trend to continue during the spring and summer.

During September, October and November last year aircraft movements were up and the October figure soared by 45% compared to the same period in 2006.

Lydd's state-of-the-art facilities for pilot training for 2007 are also flying high by 220% on 2006 for the period between June and October.

The airport has invested more than £20m in modernising facilities over the past three years. It is awaiting a decision from Shepway District Council on two planning applications: one for a new terminal building, capable of handling up to 500,000 passengers a year; and one for a 294-metre runway extension together with an additional 150-metre starter extension.