Blackpool Airport passenger journeys

Although aviation plays a modest role in Lancashire’s overall transport network, Blackpool Airport sustains a large number of local aviation activities, including flight training, helicopter operations to Irish Sea offshore gas facilities, private chartered flights, and is the local base for North West Air Ambulance.

Formerly known as Squires Gate Airport, Blackpool Airport is one of the oldest established airports in the UK, with an aviation history dating back to 1909. In 2017, the airport was purchased by Blackpool Council and brought under direct management in 2021 to safeguard helicopter and other commercial activities at the site and support the economic development of Blackpool Enterprise Zone. Despite the end of commercial passenger services in 2014, Blackpool Airport continues to play a key role in aviation locally.

The Civil Aviation Authority publishes annual data on the number of passengers and aircraft movements. The latest figures are for 2025.

• In 2025, there were 18,610 passengers recorded as beginning or starting their journey at Blackpool Airport.

• Compared to the previous year, there was a 0.6% decrease in the number of passengers.

• In 2025, there were 38,140 aircraft recorded as taking off from or landing at Blackpool Airport.

• The majority of aircraft movements were aero club activities (59.9%), followed by private flights (18.6%), and air transport (14.3%).

• Compared to the previous year, there was a 1.5% decrease in the number of aircraft movements.

Passenger numbers at Blackpool Airport have fluctuated significantly over the decades. After steady growth in the early 2000s driven by low‑cost airline routes, numbers fell sharply when these routes were withdrawn. The cessation of commercial passenger flights in October 2014 (the final remaining route being to the Isle of Man and onward to Northern Ireland) led to a major slump, with chartered helicopter operations to Irish Sea gas rigs accounting for most recorded passengers. Only in recent months has there been a very small increase in chartered fixed-wing activity.

Although scheduled passenger services no longer operate, Blackpool Airport remains an active aviation hub. It is one of only six UK civil airports with regular helicopter flights, primarily supporting offshore gas platforms. The airport also hosts several aviation organisations, including maintenance companies, training facilities and the Spitfire museum at Hangar 42, alongside the North West Air Ambulance base established in 2020.

There are three international airports that are each around 25 miles by road from different parts of Lancashire's border.

Manchester International Airport is within 45 minutes travelling time of Preston by motorway and accessible by direct train services from Blackpool, Lancaster, Chorley and Preston. With two runways, it offers an extensive range of worldwide destinations and in 2025 was used by a total of 32 million passengers, up 4.2% on 2024.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport (5.6 million passengers in 2025, up 10.6% on 2024) is easily accessible for residents in West Lancashire, and other parts of the county.

Leeds Bradford Airport (4.4 million passengers in 2025, up 5.3% on 2024) is a useful option especially for people in North East Lancashire.

Page updated 22 April 2026