AIRPORT chiefs have put the final touches to a plan they say is vital to its future.

They claim the final draft of the Biggin Hill Airport Master Plan, which covers the next 30 years and was released on January 13, answers concerns raised after earlier draft proposals were released.

Bosses at the airport in Main Road, Biggin Hill, say future profits lie in passenger flights and want to introduce flights for fare-paying passengers to destinations in Europe and the UK.

But Bromley Council would need to change lease terms to allow this.

When bosses published a draft plan last year they received 3,600 objections, including opposition from Flightpath, an organisation made up of interest groups in the area.

Objectors claim the airport will have to increase its operating hours by 17 hours a week if its plans went ahead.

But airport owner Biggin Hill Airport Limited (BHAL) says the only increase in hours would be an extra seven hours at weekends.

However, on weekdays it does want to remove take-off and landing restrictions during its first and last opening hours, from 6.30am to 7.30am and between 9pm and 10pm.

To get the go-head to attract fare-paying passengers the firm is prepared to accept a reduction in the 125,000 flights currently permitted by Bromley Council and a cap on the number of jet movements.

BHAL hopes to attract 500,000 passengers to the terminal, compared with 23,000 at the moment.

Opponents fear this will lead to problems with traffic congestion and building work.

But BHAL bosses say an independent transport assessment study shows most of the additional traffic generated by passenger flights would be during off-peak hours and not cause a significant impact.

The company says an independent study shows the increase in noise will be "imperceptible" and within limits set by Bromley Council and the Government.

BHAL says it will pay for road improvements, such as traffic lights at the junction on the A233, at the entrance to the passenger terminal.

It estimates 10 per cent of staff will use public transport and 10 per cent of passengers will use shuttle buses running to and from Bromley South and East Croydon stations.

BHAL also says no changes will be made to existing runways and no land outside the airport boundary will be developed.

It is also discussing concerns raised by Princess Royal University Hospital, Farnborough, which is under the flight path.

Airport director Peter Lonergan said: "As operating costs rise, we need to make better use of the airport and find new revenue sources for its upkeep otherwise it will not have a secure and sustainable financial future.

"It makes little sense to have a historic airport and people not be allowed to use it as fare-paying passengers which could help them save time and money."

At the time of going to press, Flightpath said they had not had time to read the document in full.

MASTER PLAN AIMS

Re-introduce flights for 500,000 fare-paying passengers to the UK and Europe.

Increase take-offs and landings from 75,000 to 90,000 each year.

Redevelop the west end of the airport to include a Heritage Centre, restaurant and hotel.

Replace the existing 3000sqm passenger terminal with a bigger building to make things easier for passengers.

Increase the present 800 jobs on site to 1,300.

Continue its flying lessons. The airport currently runs 60,000 light aircraft movements each year.

Make sure business aviation continues to compete with other London airports.