The future of Fife’s only airport is in doubt after its owners cast doubt on its economic viability.
Tayside Aviation, owners of Fife Airport at Glenrothes, have stated that trading in the economic downturn has become increasingly difficult and that no guarantees can be made about long-term operations at the site.
Although the possibility of a closure of the airport would appear to be some time away, the news that the future of the site is in jeopardy has come as a bitter blow to flyers, operators and members of the local community.
Used by private flyers and as a training centre for student pilots, the economic downturn has seen many enthusiasts ground their planes thus denying the airport revenue in landing fees and associated income.
Tayside Aviation sales and marketing director Bob Garmory said, “We’re trying to make clear to people that the aviation and restaurant sides of the business are very different.
“The Tipsy Nipper restaurant is doing well and is profitable but the aviation side has experienced a downturn.
“The number of people flying and wanting to learn to fly is diminishing but we’re doing everything we possibly can to increase turnover.
“You look at firms like Thomas Muir and Highland Airways and you see that respectable companies are finding it hard to trade right now.
“We had a very difficult winter and expected a better summer in 2009 than we did.”
He added, “This summer is going to be testing but we’re working hard to make sure that aviation in Glenrothes is viable.”
Around 30 students at the airport are in the process of earning their pilot wings, with most of the airfield’s other users being private flyers.
The airport was originally opened in 1964 and consisted of a single grass runway.
Upgraded to a tarmac airstrip and with several hangers and maintenance buildings under the ownership of Glencair Aero Services in the 1970s, Fife was voted the best airfield in the UK in 1998 by readers of a popular aviation magazine.
In 1993 the airport did close for a brief period before the site was purchased by Tayside Aviation a year later.