NEWQUAY AIRPORT OPENING: "GREAT CHRISTMAS PRESENT FOR CORNWALL"

11.00.00am GMT Thu 18th Dec 2008

Stephen Gilbert has said that the re-opening of Newquay airport is "a great Christmas present for Cornwall".

The Liberal Democrat Prospective MP for Newquay was speaking after the airport was granted an operating licence from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Stephen Gilbert added: "Credit where credit is due. The team at the airport have worked round the clock over the last three weeks to get the licence and their hard work has paid off. Newquay airport now looks set to be one of the fastest growing airports in Britain and will provide a much needed facility for Cornish businesses and travellers. We still need to know what went wrong, but this is a great Christmas present for Cornwall and the airport is now set to play a major role in the Cornish economy for years to come."