Devon International is one name proposed for Exeter Airport

It follows revelations that the Regional Development Agency and the Regional Assembly are to recommend to the government that future air services are concentrated on Exeter and Newquay.

They have dismissed proposals for a new airport in the Sherford Valley in the South Hams, meaning Plymouth Airport will be left as it is.

Chairman of Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, Charles Howeson, said if Exeter was to be the main regional airport, it should be renamed to reflect that fact.

"I would certainly like to see the Exeter lobby being a little more regionally generous and deciding that it should be called something other than Exeter Airport," he said.

The Sherford proposal should not be written off before it is properly and independently costed Charles Howeson, Plymouth Chamber of Commerce chairman

"If it is to be a regional facility, then perhaps it could be called Devon International, or Devon and Plymouth International.

"But the bottom line is, let's finish the research into Sherford before we throw it in the bin.

"There is no need for absolutism on this at this juncture."

Sutton Harbour Holdings proposed building houses on the sites of both Plymouth and Exeter airports and using the income to fund a new, larger airport east of Plymouth in the South Hams to cater for the region.

Independently costed

Mr Howeson said: "We are uncomfortable that the right amount of work has yet to be done on the Sherford proposal.

"It should not be written off before it is properly and independently costed.

"It is perfectly possible to leave the Sherford door open until the costings have been done.

"If the costings say the thing is hopeless, then fine."

Unrealistic proposal

The Sherford proposal has received opposition from many quarters.

An all-party seven-strong group of Devon MPs said the plans were a non-starter and Exeter Airport should be backed instead.

South West Tourism has also described the proposal as unrealistic.