Waterlogged airport means Land's End flights still diverted to Newquay

LAND'S End Airport remains waterlogged and closed to sceduled flights to and from the Isles of Scilly until the new year, it was announced today.
The airport has been shut for most of December due to poor weather conditions and all passengers travelling to and from the islands have been forced to travel via Newquay instead.
The airport was due to open again today, but flight operator Skybus instead announced it would continue to operate flights to the Isles of Scilly via Newquay Cornwall Airport up to and including Wednesday, January 2, 2013, when the situation would be reviewed.
"This follows further heavy rain at Land's End Airport falling on already saturated ground and the forecast of more rain in the coming days," said a statement issued by Skybus.
Since the closure of the scheduled helicopter service from Penzance at the end of October, Skybus operates the only passenger service between west Cornwall and the islands during the winter.
The operator has talked of hard-surfacing the runway at Land's End to avoid problems with waterlogging, but the project is expected to cost hundreds of thousands of pounds and has attracted vocal opposition in the past.
The company has apologised for the inconvenience and all passengers are being notified. Anyone planning to travel during this time can contact Skybus on 01736 788771.