Lydd Airport has unveiled ambitious plans for a Centre for Future Flight Innovation (CFFI), which research by The Good Growth Foundation suggests could support more than 1,000 jobs and generate over £75 million a year for Kent’s economy.
The plans were showcased at the airport on Thursday 15 October, when representatives from aviation, technology, industry and government gathered to hear more about the proposals and see live demonstrations of future-flight technology.
The CFFI would make use of Lydd’s existing aviation infrastructure and surrounding airspace to create a base for developing, testing and demonstrating new aviation technologies.
Central to the proposals is securing a commercial Special Use Airspace (SUA) designation at Lydd, providing greater flexibility for testing and operating emerging aviation technologies. The Good Growth Foundation estimates the proposed changes could support 535 direct jobs.
Sam O’Dwyer, Chief Executive of Lydd Airport, said:
“Lydd is a chance to repurpose regional aviation infrastructure for the next era of flight, while driving growth, attracting investment and strengthening national capability.
“Our ambition is for Lydd to become the UK’s Centre for Future Flight Innovation and, in doing so, create a blueprint for other regional airports.
“The demand to design, test and build new air systems at scale in the UK already exists. With the right regulatory changes, we have a real opportunity to unlock that potential here at Lydd, bringing investment and highly skilled jobs to Kent.”
The technologies involved could include uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), advanced air mobility, autonomous systems and green propulsion technologies.
Eagle Eye Innovations is one of the industry partners supporting the CFFI and has worked with Lydd Airport on the roadmap and strategic vision for the Centre.
Alex Kasperczyk, Chief Commercial Officer at Eagle Eye Innovations, said:
“The future of aviation will not be defined by the technologies we invent. It will be defined by the technologies we can trust.
“The Centre for Future Flight Innovation sets out a practical vision for bringing infrastructure, expertise and operational environments together. Eagle Eye Innovations is proud to support Lydd Airport and its partners in turning that vision into trusted capability.”
Speaking at the event, Tony Vaughan, MP for Folkestone and Hythe, said:
“Lydd Airport is an important asset for our area, and these plans show the potential it has to play a much bigger role in our future economy.
“The prospect of creating highly skilled jobs here in Folkestone and Hythe, opening up new opportunities for local people and bringing a growing industry to this part of Kent is hugely exciting.
“I am pleased to support the airport’s ambition and will continue to make the case for the changes needed to unlock this opportunity for our local area.”
The event follows the parliamentary launch of the Good Growth Foundation report on the economic benefits of the CFFI on 8 September, and marks the next stage in Lydd Airport’s plans to develop the Centre.
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