REGULAR flights to Europe could be up and running within months after Blackpool Airport's £13 million takeover.

Midlands-based City Hopper hopes to quadruple passenger numbers in less than five years after taking over the Squires Gate site.

They have set an ambitious target of one million passengers annually by 2008 and chairman, Graham Hampson-Silk, says he is already in talks with firms interested in running regular flights to and from the resort.

"If you had to pick an airport up and put it somewhere you would struggle to find a better location than this one," Mr Hampson-Silk told the Citizen.

"Our chief executive, Paul Whelan, and myself have a lot of experience and a lot of good relationships with a number of different airlines. Ryanair is an airline we know extremely well.

"We hope to announce an increased number of routes very shortly, but we cannot say who those particular airlines will be for reasons of confidentiality.

"Obviously we have missed the summer schedules now, but we would hope to have negotiations completed in time for the start of the winter schedules in November/December."

And Mr Hampson-Silk says City Hopper will work with its partner, property firm, MAP, to develop employment and regeneration opportunities around the Squires Gate site which could also bring new visitors to the area.

City Hopper was set up around 18 months ago to invest in and develop regional airports. It already owns Wolverhampton Airport and last month agreed to take over the management of Biella Airport, between Milan and Turin.

It started talks with Blackpool Council last year and hopes to complete its take-over after a full council meeting gives final approval next Wednesday.

The take-over will see the council save around £1 million annually, retaining a five per cent shareholding in the new airport company and limiting its liability to £50,000 per year.

The council will maintain a seat on the new holding company's board and will be able to veto any proposed land developments not in line with the Masterplan and will also be able to take back control of the airport if the new owners fail to fulfil their obligations.

Two other firms had also made offers.

The £13m will be split equally between the council and new investment in the airport.

Council leader, Cllr Roy Fisher, said: "It really is a win, win, win situation. It will mean more jobs for local people along with more travel opportunities for the region and a saving to the council of more than £1 million a year.

"On the jobs front we are looking at hundreds over the next five years. In respect of travel there will be more direct flights to different European destinations and the £1 million plus saving could enable the council year on year to plough more money into other services like education and keeping the streets clean or to reduce the council tax."

But Conservative group leader, Cllr Peter Callow, sounded a more cautious note: "We have a number of questions to ask. We want to know the finer details of this deal as a lot depends on it.

"We're dealing with hard-headed international lawyers and business-people who do not make their fortunes by giving their money away."

He also said Blackpool council tax payers would want to see 'tangible benefits' from the savings.