The RAF base is earmarked for mothballing in 2007

RAF St Mawgan, which shares some facilities with the airport, is one of the bases that could house the new Joint Combat Aircraft (JCA) in 2013.

The move could secure the future of the loss-making airport, say civic leaders.

But the county council says it would prefer not to have the JCA at St Mawgan because of concerns about noise.

Jobs risk

Six civic leaders, from Newquay, St Columb Major, Camelford, Truro, Bodmin and Wadebridge, are writing to the council asking it to rethink its decision.

They say that the airport, which is used by about 300,000 passengers a year, is crucial for business and tourism and the JCA could bring 1,000 civilian and 3,000 RAF jobs.

Mayor of Bodmin, Lance Kennedy, said: "All the six towns will be affected. Newquay and St Columb will be most affected and it will ripple out from there."

We know that if the JCA comes to Newquay there would be restrictions in the number of civilian landings Colin Jarvis

But county councillor Andrew Mitchell said the airport did not need the RAF's support to survive.

He said: "We are looking at a 20-year business plan to expand Newquay Airport to over 1m passengers a year."

Colin Jarvis, head of transportation and estates at the county council, said the JCA could actually squeeze the civilian operation out.

"We know that if the JCA comes to Newquay there would be restrictions in the number of civilian landings, and that will restrict us in the working day to fewer services than we have now.

"That will threaten the long-term future of civilian operations."

Under current proposals, flying from St Mawgan will cease in April 2007.

The station will be mothballed pending a decision on the possible deployment of the new aircraft to the base as part of a government's Strategic Air Review.

A decision is expected in the next two or three months.