Plans for a commercial airport must not get stowed away in Leuchars’ space race.
North East Fife MSP Roderick Campbell is urging the Westminster Government not to leave its consideration of turning the RAF base into a passenger airport on the ground.
He said now was the ideal time for the UK Government to step up and carry out a feasibility study, following the news Leuchars is one of eight sites shortlisted to become the first spaceport outwith America.
Bringing a passenger airport to the area would be a huge economic benefit, he added.
The SNP politician, who has said not to make use of the airbase’s extensive runway after the RAF leave would be a horrendous waste of excellent resources, has written to Business Secretary Vince Cable and new Defence Secretary Michael Fallon to urge them to look into a study.
“The opportunity of a space port at Leuchars is obviously very exciting, but now is also an ideal time to consider the prospect of a civilian airport,” he said, adding the economic benefits could be huge.
“Leuchars is clearly recognised as being a suitable site for civilian space flights I can see no reason that it could not be recognised as a suitable site for ordinary flights.”
A spokeswoman for Mr Cable’s department said officials had not yet received Mr Campbell’s letter.
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