Blackpool insists on Euro market

Bosses at Blackpool Airport have dismissed speculation about transatlantic flights being chartered in the near future and committed their focus to European services.

Following the recent open skies agreement between the EU and US to liberalise air travel between the States and the Union's member states, speculation is mounting that many of the UK's regional airports will begin transatlantic services.

But chiefs at Blackpool Airport moved to dampen the rumours, although it is thought that long-haul services to the US could get underway within five years.

Gareth Kennedy, business development manager for Blackpool Airport, revealed that the runway at Blackpool is simply not suitable.

"It is not long enough to take the current generation of aircraft flying the Atlantic and I don't think we will be able to accommodate the new aircraft in development either," he told the Blackpool Gazette.

"No airlines have contacted us in relation to long-haul services, whether to America, or other destinations.

"If somebody is interested, and the facilities or aircraft are there, then of course we will sit down and talk. But at the moment we just aren't in the race."

Ryanair, a low-cost airline that runs services from Blackpool Airport, recently revealed it plans to offer transatlantic flights from as little as £6 one-way before tax.