Cornwall Council says that it hopes the Government will give cash to help Newquay Airport which has been forced to close due to coronavirus.

Geoff Brown, Cabinet member for transport, said there had been an indication from the Department for Transport that there will be financial support for regional airports like Cornwall Airport Newquay.

Cllr Brown said: “We had to close the airport at the beginning of the lockdown. It has not been operational for flights but we have maintained it for the air ambulance and search and rescue aircraft and use by emergency services.

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“The airport has remained open but we have furloughed some staff. We will probably restart the airport from the beginning of July.

“But that depends on international flights and how airlines are able to manage flights into European destinations.

“We have approached the Department for Transport explaining that, like all airports, we have experienced a huge financial downturn.

“The Government has given an indication that there will be possibly some support to help airports.”

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Steve Double, MP for St Austell and Newquay, asked a question in Parliament on Wednesday about the need for regional airports to get support from the government.

He said he was pleased that the minister gave some reassurance that there would be help for airports in the recovery stage and also recognising the role that regional airports play for the economy and in keeping places connected.