The company, Sutton Harbour Holdings, wants to build on the site but no development can take place until 2024 after planning inspectors safeguarded it solely for aviation operations for five years in 2019.
But a group of business leaders, who formed FlyPlymouth in 2015 with the aim of buying and reopening the airport, say there is a clear argument for flights to return – and Jersey would be an obvious destination.
Having commissioned a report from consultants, FlyPlymouth say that the airport could attract 250,000 passengers a year if flights were restarted.
The report concluded that year-round regional destinations could include Manchester, Glasgow and Jersey, while Edinburgh, Belfast, Leeds Bradford and Newcastle, Cork, Isles of Scilly, Brittany and Guernsey would be seasonal destinations.
FlyPlymouth told the Plymouth Live news service: “The very encouraging news is that despite Plymouth Airport’s mothballing and the air transport industry shakeup precipitated by the Covid pandemic, passenger demand for air services from Plymouth has been found to have grown since 2011 with plenty of headroom for further growth to 2035.
“Moreover, Flybe’s withdrawal from Exeter Airport provides Plymouth with a real opportunity to become the central south-west regional airport, playing a significant but complementary role within the region.”
Pictured: “Flybe’s withdrawal from Exeter Airport provides Plymouth with a real opportunity to become the central south-west regional airport.”
It added: “There is now evidence supporting the real opportunity to welcome airlines operating 30 to 50 seater aircraft much sooner and in greater volumes serving more important destinations and even reconnecting with major hubs.”
Flights between Jersey and Plymouth were previously operated by Air Southwest, an airline founded by Sutton Harbour Holdings in 2003.
The airline, which flew Dash-8 aircraft, folded in September 2011, which prompted the closure of Plymouth Airport.