AMBITIOUS plans to open a York airfield for business travel were revealed today.

Bosses at Elvington Airfield want to run an air taxi service to let business people fly in from foreign and domestic airports to get quicker access to companies in the city.

Elvington Park Ltd company secretary Chris Hudson said York's biggest employers, such as Nestl, regularly flew in overseas clients to Leeds-Bradford Airport.

"We want them to fly into Elvington," he said. "We would also like to fly more jockeys in for the big race meetings."

Mr Hudson said the firm was submitting an application to build two aircraft hangars next to the runway at a cost of more than £250,000.

It is hoped these could pave the way for more aircraft activity at the site, including the introduction of the air taxis, but also aircraft maintenance and a flight school.

Mr Hudson said it was still awaiting a decision by the Civil Aviation Authority to grant an aerodrome licence.

The airfield is still heavily restricted, which means fare-paying passengers cannot use it and nor can it be used for flight training.

Planes currently have to get prior permission from Elvington Park each time to take off and land.

Mr Hudson said: "It's a long-term project but we want to increase aircraft activity at the airfield. We want to utilise the site for what it was meant to be used for."

He said getting planning permission for the hangars - which could accommodate up to six light aircraft - was an "important stage" in achieving this.

"There are a lot of hoops to jump through," Mr Hudson added.

Len Cruddas, chief executive of the York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said the air taxis were a "great idea".

"There is a definite gap in our transport infrastructure relating to air travel. It's often a difficult journey from Leeds-Bradford Airport to York by road.

"Air taxis would just make the whole sub-region more accessible and easier to do business with."

Mr Hudson ruled out Elvington as a future regional airport, saying such a move would be fraught with difficulties.

Updated: 15:18 Thursday, April 03, 2003