AN airport vision for Cumbria aimed at boosting Lake District visitor numbers has taken a huge step towards becoming reality.

A £17.75m package of funding was unveiled yesterday as the long-running saga of Carlisle airport took a fresh twist.

It means the site, owned by the Stobart Group, could be dealing with commercial passengers from as early as 2018, with flights to and from London and Dublin.

Set to be named as the Carlisle Lake District Airport, it is seen as the key to unlocking huge potential growth in the area.

Rob Johnston, board member of the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership and chief executive of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, said: “Carlisle airport is crucial to Cumbria’s growth ambitions.

"It is a key strategic asset for the county. Developing the airport’s passenger offer will play an important role in maximising Cumbria’s tourism potential by helping to increase international visits. It will also allow easier business travel to and from the county.”

Yesterday MP Jake Berry, Northern Powerhouse minister, visited the airport as it was confirmed the local enterprise partnership - the county’s strategic economic body - is supporting the airport with funding of £4.75m.

The Stobart Group has separately pledged £13m to the project.

Mr Berry said: “I look forward to working with Stobart Group, one of almost 90 Northern Powerhouse Partners, and, with the local enterprise partnership, working together to go even further to deliver the Northern Powerhouse."

Andrew Tinkler, the outgoing chief executive of Stobart Group, added: “This new funding forms a significant portion of the investment we require to completely regenerate the airport’s runway and to establish an all-new passenger terminal on the airfield.

"We plan to commence the first new commercial flights from the airport next year, utilising the established network from our other group airport – London Southend – and employing Stobart Air as a partner carrier from Carlisle Lake District servicing routes to London, Ireland and beyond.”

Taking over as chief executive of the Stobart Group in July is Warwick Brady.

He said: “This is a significant step in the continued development of Carlisle Lake District Airport.

"The new funding will help ‘fast forward’ the works required to get the airport operating commercially from summer 2018.

"We have all the ingredients within the group – with our airline, civil engineering business and two airports – to successfully relaunch Carlisle Lake District as a commercially viable passenger offering in the region. Our vision is to replicate the success of London Southend Airport here in Carlisle.”