'Hassle-free gateway' - Blackpool Airport's encouraging passenger update ahead of Southport Flower Show 2026

Blackpool Airport is encouraging private, charter and business aviation customers to use its facilities for this month's Southport Flower Show.

Highlighting the airport’s facilities as a convenient gateway to one of the North West's biggest annual events, the airport released a statement encouraging visitors travelling to the Southport Flower Show, which takes place from Thursday 20 August to Sunday 23 August, to make use of a hassle-free arrival experience through Hangar 3 FBO.

The service offers professional aircraft handling, flexible operating options subject to prior permission, competitive landing, parking and handling fees, and assistance with ground transport, accommodation and logistics.

Located within easy reach of Southport, the airport says it provides minimal congestion and is well suited to leisure travellers, corporate hospitality guests, sponsors and private groups attending the show. Operators are being advised to plan ahead to secure aircraft parking, handling and transport arrangements.

The announcement comes as Blackpool Airport continues to emphasise its role within the aviation sector despite no longer operating scheduled commercial passenger flights. In recent months, the airport has highlighted its importance as an international refuelling stop, saying it regularly supplies fuel to aircraft travelling to and from destinations around the world.

Interest also remains high locally over whether commercial passenger flights could one day return to the Fylde coast. Earlier this month, Blackpool South MP Chris Webb said he had held discussions with airlines about the possibility of restoring scheduled services from the airport on Squires Gate Lane.

However, the MP said airline operators had shown "no interest in operating from Blackpool" at the present time, indicating there is currently little appetite within the industry to introduce scheduled routes from the resort.

Despite that assessment, an unnamed London-based businessman has argued that commercial flights could return if investment is made in the airport's passenger facilities.

Before scheduled services ended, Blackpool Airport offered flights to destinations including Belfast, Dublin, the Isle of Man and northern Spain, near Barcelona, providing connections for both business and leisure travellers. Commercial passenger operations ceased on 15 October 2014 when the airport entered administration.