Air traffic controllers could be trained at Carlisle Lake District Airport - but too late to resolve the recruitment crisis which has delayed the launch of scheduled daily flights by three months.

Airport owner Stobart Group wants to establish a training academy there to tackle the skills shortage in the UK aviation industry.

The plans were drawn up long before last Tuesday's announcement that the first flights were being postponed until September 3 because of a shortage of air traffic controllers.

Kate Willard, head of corporate projects for Stobart, said: "About three months ago we commenced discussions with the University of Cumbria and South Essex College [based in Southend] with a view to developing a skills hub here, to address the skills shortage in the UK aviation market.

"There's a real opportunity to develop people here. We're looking at a range of different levels: ground handling, customer services, air traffic control itself. We will be announcing a timetable for that in the next few weeks."

Carlisle MP John Stevenson welcomed the prospect of aviation personnel being trained here. "If we have the opportunity to set up some kind of training facility here the benefits would be enormous," he said. "It would be great for the airport and the area. There would be all kinds of jobs, some of them skilled - especially air traffic controllers. The arrival of the airport is hugely important for our region.

"The delay [in scheduled flights] is unfortunate and slightly disappointing. But at the end of the day they've got to make sure they're getting it right. I think people should get behind the airport and recognise the massive opportunity it brings."