Blackpool Airport

Blackpool Airport is an airport on the Fylde coast of Lancashire, England, in the Borough of Fylde, just outside the Borough of Blackpool. It was formerly known as Squires Gate Airport and Blackpool International Airport. Ownership of the airport has changed a number of times over the years. The airport was wholly owned by Blackpool Borough Council until 2004, when it was sold to a consortium led by Wolverhampton Airport operators City Hopper Ltd (CHAL), who operated it until May 2008 when Balfour Beatty purchased MAR Property's 95% stake. Blackpool Borough Council retained 5%. During 2014 Balfour Beatty claimed to be looking for a buyer for the airport, and then after just one month announced that it was to close the Airport. On 15 October 2014, the airport's terminal and Air Traffic Control provision was closed, with the last scheduled flights to Dublin and the Isle of Man leaving in the late afternoon. In November 2014, the former company formed a new company, called Squires Gate Airport Operations Ltd, and the airport reopened once again in December 2014 for non-commercial operations. Executive flights are operated by Hangar 3 Blackpool Ltd, which offer access to a private aircraft hangar and private aircraft management as well as a flight briefing room and lounge facilities. NHV Helicopters operate helicopter services to the offshore oil and gas facilities in the Irish Sea, using two Agusta Westland helicopters from a purpose-built helicopter terminal facility. Blackpool Airport is also home to one of three Eurocopter EC135 helicopters operated by the North West Air Ambulance service; the other two helicopters operate from Manchester Barton and are regular visitors to Blackpool. UK Aviation Services (formerly J-Max Air Services) specialise in the maintenance and repair of corporate and commercially owned helicopters. The company holds EASA Part 145 approvals for various Bell, Leonardo, Sikorsky, Airbus, Robinson, Guimbal and MD helicopters.