Newcastle International Airport bosses have unveiled a £30m open-ended business park plan which could attract dozens of new companies to the North-East and create up to 7,000 new jobs.
The first phase of the scheme — in partnership with UK Land Estates — would see the construction of six office buildings on airport-owned land to the south of the main terminal. They would offer 175,000sq ft of space and be capable of accommodating up to 1,000 people. Target businesses would be within the aviation, freight and high-tech sectors with their staff served by the adjacent Callerton Parkway Metro station.
With a scheduled daily flight to Dubai, and ambitions of opening up direct flights to a number of US cities, the business hub is seen as a key to Newcastle Airport’s continued success. “It will help attract the type of airline that the whole region is desperate for,” said airport chief executive, David Laws. “This is a very important development for us and one which we feel will be very popular.”
The overall project is expected to span at least 20 years and comprise four phases. It has, added Laws, the potential to deliver over 7,000 jobs and boost the regional economy by as much as £300m.
“Other successful regional airports have been able to diversify their business and we see this scheme as critical in supporting the growth of the airport,” he said. “The location is great not only for aviation related companies, but also professional services, technology and IT firms, telecommunications and oil and gas offshore businesses, who can make use of the excellent connectivity on offer.”
The scheme is being overseen by a steering group made up of Newcastle International Airport, UK Land Estates, Newcastle City Council, the Homes and Communities Agency and the North Eastern Local Enterprise Partnership.
“Newcastle Airport provides an important gateway to new business opportunities across the globe,” commented city council leader, Nick Forbes. “The creation of this new International Business Park at Newcastle Airport is a clear indication of our growing economic confidence and we look forward to welcoming new investors to our city and region — knowing they will benefit from a fantastic location and excellent air, road and rail connections.”
Launching the business park project during a visit to the airport aviation minster, Robert Goodwill, was less than encouraging about the prospect of Government support for direct flights from Newcastle to the States. “If you look at how successful the flights to Dubai have been you can see what can be done without Government funding,” said the Scarborough and Whitby MP.
“That route has flourished without the need to use taxpayers’ money to subsidise it. I know there has been some lobbying about this, but we have not been persuaded by the arguments so far. The Dubai flights are very well subscribed flights. The case can, and should, be made to the various operators for more flights to American destinations.”
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