About 250,000 passengers a year use Newquay Airport

The idea comes as private industry is being asked to help secure Cornwall's only air terminal.

It faces an uncertain future with the end of British Airways flights next month and the growth of budget airlines.

Tim Williams, from the Camborne, Pool and Redruth Regeneration Partnership, said the airport needed to be more commercially attractive.

Cash crisis

"The era of public bodies running these things has probably come to an end," he said.

"The issue is how you get an income out of the 250,000 people currently using the airport.

"That figure will rise to two million in 20 years' time and that is one of the ironies of the situation.

"It is a really viable airport in terms of numbers, but the income side of it is a bit difficult at the moment."

Landing fees

The airport is facing a cash crisis, and it is understood its total annual deficit could turn out to be as much as �500,000.

Air Southwest is taking over the British Airways flights, but they say they cannot afford to pay the same landing fees.

Ryanair, which flies to Newquay twice daily, also pays a token landing fee.