RAF Leuchars: Commercial airline flights may be an option for base
Commercial airline flights could take off from Leuchars as part of its controversial future as a home to the army, the Scottish Government has suggested.
- By David Clegg, political editor
- Published in the Courier : 04.08.11
- Published online : 04.08.11 @ 10.07am
First Minister Alex Salmond is to ask the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to examine the possibility — which would provide a welcome boost to the local economy — in the wake of the decision to end the Fife town's century-old link with the RAF.
Defence Secretary Liam Fox caused outrage and heartbreak last month when he confirmed the RAF was to be axed from Leuchars in order to retain RAF Lossiemouth in Moray.
Although disappointed by the decision, Mr Salmond believes the base's future role as a divisional headquarters of one of five new multi-role army brigades is a "substantial consolation prize" that must be seized.
He is lobbying for the base to maintain its aviation facilities and hopes to convince the MoD to make it an "embarkation point" for troops across Scotland.
The majority of military deployments in the UK take place from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, although Leuchars, Edinburgh and Prestwick airports have been used for Scottish troops in the past.
Mr Salmond believes using Leuchars for that purpose would allow aviation skills and jobs to be retained in Fife and make use of the base's runway, which has been the subject of millions of pounds of investment in recent years.
Government strategy secretary Bruce Crawford told us that the prospect of commercial flights must also be investigated thoroughly.
"It is vital for the future of the local economy in Fife and the surrounding region that aviation facilities are kept fully operational at Leuchars and the Scottish Government will do all we can to make sure that happens," said the Stirling MSP.
Crucial
"It is crucial that the airfield is kept in use so that it can be used as an embarkation point for military personnel involved in future operations — and beyond — that there must be scope to investigate securing commercial flights from Leuchars to make the most of the facilities there.
"There is no reason why military and civilian flights could not both use Leuchars, which would be a huge boost to the economy of the area."
Mr Crawford's suggestion is not the first time the possibility of commercial airline flights from Leuchars has been raised.
In 2002 a feasibility study by the MoD indicated that potential exploitation of spare capacity at RAF Leuchars might include greater use of the base by civilian and commercial aircraft.
However, Project Pioneer was put on hold the following year because RAF Strike Command wanted to keep its "options open" as the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq escalated.
continued...
06.16pm - 04.08.2011 Keith P - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Oh, if only Dundee Airport could get similar support from the first minister.
06.17pm - 04.08.2011 Hazelkaye - Cumbernauld, UK Report This
AND it rail linked!
08.00am - 05.08.2011 Daz Hales - Koblenz, Germany Report This
Good of Alex Salmond to pay attention at last! Shame its too little too late and this stunt is just for his image. He doesn`t care a hip flask about Leuchars. I would bet his pension that there will never be commercial flying from there. Army Air Corps maybe!
08.22am - 05.08.2011 Balumbie Ryan - Dundee, UK Report This
A great oppurtunity. Instead of making Edinburgh and Glasgow airports bigger and busier, use Leuchars to provide a service to the catchment around Dundee, Angus, Fife and Perth. As #2 says, there is already a rail link in place.
10.13am - 05.08.2011 n morrison - Fife, Scotland Report This
".....It is vital for the future of the local economy in Fife and the surrounding region that aviation facilities are kept fully operational at Leuchars and the Scottish Government will do all we can to make sure that happens...." Exactly what will the SNP govt. do to help?
Add a comment