Newquay airport is set to reopen for passenger flights in July with airlines already taking bookings for flights.

The airport is set to start operating on July 1, with the first flight taking bookings being an Aer Lingus service to Dublin.

Other flights set for that week from Cornwall Airport Newquay, which is owned by Cornwall Council, include services to London, Faro, Dusseldorf and Alicante.

Geoff Brown, Cornwall Council Cabinet member for transport, said: “The airport is a key part of the economy of Cornwall and whilst we anticipate passenger numbers and flights will be reduced significantly in the short term some routes are vital to support residents and businesses alike.

“In addition to this news our new airport manager is due to start shortly with a focus on making Cornwall Airport (Newquay) the greenest airport in the country.”

Bookings can currently be made for the Dublin flight on July 1 and you can also book for flights to London Heathrow with British Airways on July 2. Cllr Brown said it was expected that BA would announce plans to restart flights from Newquay to Heathrow on Wednesday (May 20).

Eurowings is taking bookings for flights to Dusseldorf on July 4 and Ryanair is selling seats to Faro on the same date. Ryanair is also taking bookings for flights to Alicante on July 5.

While the airport has been closed for passenger flights it has remained open to provide support for emergency services including search and rescue and Cornwall Air Ambulance.

It has also had to continue to provide services for contractors such as Cobham Aviation and provide air traffic control and accept aircraft for maintenance and storage.

In the statement Cllr Brown added: “The current plan is for the airport to reopen on 1 July, in order to meet the demand from airlines to recommence flights for the remainder of the summer period. 

"The requirements for transport operators is set out in the Government’s current Covid-19 Safer Transport guidance.

"Cornwall Airport Limited are currently working on plans to ensure the airport complies with this guidance and to ensure the appropriate risk assessments are in place.”