Cornwall Airport Newquay has unveiled a significant investment in its critical infrastructure, with plans for a major upgrade to its radar system. The project forms a core part of a wider modernisation drive aimed at bolstering safety and operational reliability for the thousands of passengers and aircraft operators using the South West transport hub each year.
Funding and Strategic Importance
The crucial upgrade is being part-financed through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund via the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme. This funding aligns with the broader Cornwall Airport Newquay Development Strategy. Councillor Leigh Frost, leader of Cornwall Council, emphasised the airport's central role, stating it is at the heart of the region's economy.
"It provides essential global links for business and our residents, and plays a key role in attracting investment into the region," Frost said. "The new radar system is part of a wider programme of infrastructure modernisation, supporting safe and reliable operations for commercial, business and general aviation, military activity, lifeline services and Spaceport Cornwall."
A Long-Term Commitment to Safety
The contract to supply the advanced new system has been awarded to UK manufacturer Easat Radar Systems, a company founded in 1987 whose products are now used in more than 60 countries. Dean McAllister, Senior Airfield Engineer at the airport, framed the investment as a foundational commitment to the region's future.
"Safety is at the centre of everything we do at Cornwall Airport Newquay," McAllister stated. "This project is not just about upgrading technology. It ensures the airport continues to operate to the highest standards as Cornwall’s primary air gateway." He described the move as a "long-term commitment to protecting the skies over Cornwall."
Technical Advancements and Future-Readiness
Matthew Jackson, Managing Director of Easat Radar Systems, highlighted the capabilities of the forthcoming technology. "The systems we will be supplying are engineered for improved performance, exceptional detection and reliable operation even in challenging environments," he explained.
The high-performance technology is designed to provide air traffic controllers with superior tools to manage Cornwall's increasingly busy airspace. Jackson confirmed that the new radar would "equip the airport with a modern, future-ready surveillance capability that supports continued growth and operational excellence."
The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme, which is facilitating this investment, was launched in 2022. It is managed by Cornwall Council and is funded with £186 million from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, underlining the scale of the strategic infrastructure development planned for the region.
