Airport extension - business boost

Only aircraft carrying up to eight people can be used at present

A runway extension at a mid Wales airport could provide the key for an increase in business opportunities for the area.

At present only small eight-seater planes can fly in and out of Welshpool airport because of the shortness of the runway.

But a 190 metre extension of the runway will allow local businesses to fly in larger executive jets carrying up to 14 people.

The move could provide an economic boost to mid-Wales companies.

The provision of upgraded airport facilities means that companies will be able to set up in Montgomeryshire and still have the convenience of easy travel Lembit Opik, MP

The long-term future of the airport was discussed on Tuesday at a meeting of local politicians and airport owner, Bob Jones.

Montgomeryshire MP, Lembit Opik - who holds a pilot's licence - flew in to the meeting from Elstree.

Better facilities

"In this day and age it is essential that we keep up with the rest of the world by having decent air facilities," said Mr Opik.

"We need to have a consensus and a way to go forward to investigate the opportunities at the airport to offer better facilities for our local economy."

"The provision of upgraded airport facilities means that companies will be able to set up in Montgomeryshire and still have the convenience of easy travel.

"A few flights a week could be enough to ensure a lot more investment in Powys."

The MP was flown into Welshpool for the meeting

Welshpool airport was set up as a green strip airport in 1986.

The injection of £200,000 of public money by the local authority in 1990 allowed the building of a control tower hangars and a hard runway.

At that time the operator ran the facility as a flying school until Mr Jones took over the operation in April 2002.

Among the 15 planes and six helicopters based at the 24 acres site are Navahom and Cessna 150s and 172s

. "When I took over the airport I decided to develop it as a facility for businesses to use, he said.

Although current aircraft can fly as far as Finland and the Baltic to Italy and the Mediterranean, an increase in runway length will allow flights to arrive from further afield.

"With more Eastern countries becoming part of the European Community we are looking to travel as far as Turkey and the Baltic," said Mr Jones.

According to Mr Jones, the plan has the full backing of several mid Wales companies including Newtown-based Control Techniques, which makes computer parts and employs about 800 people.