The city council ruled it was ‘minded to approve’ the £25m plan by Stobart Air, but the backing is only provisional and the council will meet again this week to outline the conditions it wants the company to adhere to before it gives full consent.

The proposal would see a new runway, passenger terminal, air traffic control centres hangars, warehousing and offices built at the site. The new runway would allow scheduled flights to London and other destinations. The Eddie Stobart haulage operation and WA Developments engineering firm would also move to the site. It will also rebrand it Carlisle Lake District Airport.