APPROVED plans to expand the runway at Southampton Airport is great news for sunseekers on the Isle of Wight.

Eastleigh councillors have approved plans for the runway to be extended by 164m and passenger numbers at the airport — the nearest to the Isle of Wight serving international destinations.

It is predicted it would have a positive impact on the local economy, boosting direct employment to around 1,400 jobs, and indirect employment to 2,367, by 2037.

By lengthening the runway, it will allow bigger aircraft to use it and serve more international destinations.

An increase in passenger numbers, up to a capped three million a year, would attract a range of operators — providing those routes to many European destinations, used by the business and tourism sectors.

The effect of the runway extension is also estimated to result in 2.8 per cent growth in the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership's GDP by 2027.

The decision had secured the future of Southampton Airport, said Steve Szalay, its operations director.

"This is our plan to adapt — to make sure we become a viable business again," he added. 

"We cannot sustain losses of £8 million a year. There's no maths that suggest the airport will be OK.

"A vote for the runway extension secures our future, it secures current jobs and it creates more jobs."

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