Blackpool International Airport (BLK)

Introduction

Blackpool International Airport is one of the UK’s smaller airports. Due to a recently completed £2 million refurbishment, and the arrival of low cost airlines like Ryanair, Blackpool International Airport has seen a 46% annual growth in passenger numbers to over 553,000 in 2006. Located 2.6 miles (4.8 kilometres) southeast of Blackpool, in Lancashire, Blackpool International Airport also serves north west England’s Irish Sea offshore gas facilities with its helicopter operations.

Facilities and Services

Blackpool International Airport can offer its passengers flights to several scheduled and seasonal chartered destinations, including domestic and European ones.
Blackpool International Airport’s recently refurbished terminal now provides passengers a departure lounge containing a small range of retail and catering outlets. Blackpool International Airport also has currency exchange facilities, car hire representatives and information desks to meet arriving passengers needs.
Blackpool International Airport has an exclusive Business Lounge. Open to both business and leisure passengers, for a small fee passengers can enjoy business facilities such as fax; photocopying and Internet access. Passengers can also take advantage of complimentary drinks and snacks in a quiet and relaxing atmosphere.

Getting To The Airport

By road – FROM M55: At Junction 4 the M55 ends and becomes the A5230 Squires Gate Link Road (signposted South Shore) Continue straight ahead until you reach a roundabout. Take the first exit and continue to next roundabout and take third exit. Continue straight on through three sets of traffic lights. Blackpool International Airport is on your left.
By rail - the nearest railway station is Squire’s Gate, which is only five minutes walk from the airport. A sprinter train leaves this station every hour at approximately 53 minutes past the hour, and travels direct to Preston Station (approximately 35 minutes). From Preston there are regular rail links to the rest of the UK. Tickets for this service can be purchased on the train. Alternatively, regular trains run direct to Preston station from Blackpool North train station, approximately 10 minutes from the airport by taxi.
By bus/coach/tram - National Express coach services operate long distance coach services to Blackpool throughout the year. There are regular bus services throughout Blackpool and the surrounding area. Tram services are available from the nearby Starr Gate tram stop transporting passengers along the promenade past the Pleasure Beach, Central Pier and Blackpool Tower.

Parking at the Airport

The Short Stay car park is located right outside the terminal building and is perfect for dropping off & picking up travellers.
There are two Long Stay car parks that are perfect for any stay for 1 day or longer. These car parks are just a short walk from the terminal.
Alternatively a nearby off-airport parking facility offers a Park & Ride service or a Meet & Greet service to meet all your parking needs. In order to make a booking to secure a space at any of these car parks via carparkinguk.co.uk.

History of Blackpool Airport

In October 1909, the site of Blackpool airport was first used for avaition puposes, when the UK's first official public Flying Meeting was held on a specially laid out site at Squires Gate, followed by another in 1910. Small UK airlines used the airfield during the 1930s. During World War II, Vickers operated an aircraft production facility, producing several thousand Wellington bombers.

By 1949, the Ministry of Civil Aviation controlled the airfield and renamed Blackpool Airport. In the mid 1950s, Hawker Hunter jet fighters were produced in the factory.

Since then the airport has been steadily expanding, accommodating helicopter operations for British Gas, and attracting scheduled flights from budget airlines, Jet2 and Ryanair and also scheduled services by smaller operators to the Isle of Man.