Bosses have admitted the Squires Gate Lane terminal is losing millions of pounds every year and claim the plans are the only way to secure its future.

The £10 charge, which will be introduced on January 5 for passengers aged 16 and over, is expected to raise £400,000 in its first year.

It will mean passengers can park for up to 15 days at the airport free of charge.

The current cost is between £40 and £45 per week.

The scheme is aimed at attracting more passengers from Lancashire and Cumbria, who will save on parking costs.

Cash will be channelled into attracting new routes to the airport.

Clive Coleman, technical director of Balfour Beatty, which bought a 95 per cent stake in the airport in May, said: "We are absolutely intent on turning it around.

"We are putting a lot of money into route development.

"We have bought the airport at one of the most challenging times in the industry but we are clearly taking a long-term view.

"The airport development fund does not solve our financial problems today but helping to stimulate traffic volume will help make it sustainable."

Passenger numbers have fallen from 500,000 last year, to a predicted 450,000 in 2008.

Blackpool International Airport chief executive David Kershaw said: "Funds from the airport development fee will support continued investment from the owners to improve facilities and help attract new airlines which in turn will increase route choice.

"This is our vision for the future of Blackpool International – we are investing for the future for the benefit of everyone."

The airport will be the only international hub in the country to offer free parking, and only the third after Newquay and Norwich to introduce an airport development fee (ADF).

There are 800 parking spaces at the airport but bosses are looking at three new sites for additional spaces.

Blackpool Council, which has a five per cent stake in the airport, has backed the plans.

Council leader Coun Peter Callow said: "The public has made it clear free parking is something they would welcome and this nominal charge makes it possible for everyone flying from Blackpool International.

"This will also relieve the pressure felt by local residents who have suffered from airport users parking in their streets."

Blackpool-based travel expert Tony Stone also said he believed passengers would pay the fee. Mr Stone, chairman of the Focus Partnership which represents the UK's top 100 independent travel agents, said: "Blackpool has a lot of regular users and I think they would be quite positive about this."

But some staff are unhappy. One employee, who asked not to be named, said: "This is dreadful. The extra cash is even more money on top of the price of a ticket.

"The airport management are appalling and people are very worried about their jobs."

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