In an attempt to build stronger links with the community, Biggin Hill Airport has opened its doors to the public. DAVID MILLS went on a behind the scenes tour to find out more.

AIRPORTS can be a nightmare, a place associated with delays, lots of waiting, queuing, and rigorous security checks.

They seem to be continually expanding, with villages knocked down to make room for runways, and more and more flights damaging our increasingly fragile and precious environment.

But Biggin Hill Airport is unique, steeped in history and of great importance to the Biggin Hill community, especially for providing jobs.

Jets fly to the airport from as far away as San Francisco and Tokyo, flying in heads of state, footballers, film stars and other celebrities, as well as people on business trips to London.

Formula One president Bernie Ecclestone owns the west camp of the airport site, where he has a hangar for his private jet.

Under the terms of the airport lease, commercial airlines are not allowed to use the airport, and managing director Peter Lonergan says it will not become a cheap airline operator.

He said: “We are not going to become a low cost jet operator like Ryanair or Easyjet, that’s not our business.

“I don’t care who says we are, it’s not sustainable here.

“This air field is 600 acres, the north car park at Gatwick is bigger than that and they have three car parks.”

But he hopes one day to be able to offer flights to people who live in the area.

Mr Lonergan said: “There are people with private jets but they are few and far between, and you need serious money, for example a flight to the USA costs $80,000.

“But we have empty planes leaving for example for Nice, why can’t local people buy a seat on that?

“We could support a small type of lighter operation to somewhere close to Paris or Brussels.”

Almost 100 staff, who are mostly local, are employed by the airport and if plans to build a £10m hotel are successful, a further 50 jobs would be created.

A planning application for the 76-bedroom hotel is due to be submitted to Bromley Council in the next two weeks, following 13 weeks of public consultation.

As well as being a source of jobs, the airport is also the training ground for future pilots and aircraft engineers, with six flying schools on site.

Working in partnership with Bromley College, the airport provides work experience to students interested in a career in aviation.

And they are looking to set up a training scheme to create more skilled labour for the 60 companies that use the airport.

The airport hopes to take on up to 25 young people a year, where the students would study at the college for a year and then go on to work at the airport.

Dennis Persaud went on the tour and says any development which brings more jobs to the area will benefit him in his job as a courier.

The 43-year-old, who has lived in Lunar Close, Biggin Hill for 17 years, said: “Without doubt the airport is a good thing for the area.

“The tour was excellent, it gives an insight into the activities of the airport.”

Thelma Harold, aged 76, of Jail Lane, Biggin Hill, said: “I found the tour extremely interesting.”

The airport plans more tours later in the year, to find out more call 0845 838 8908.