MORE than 200 motor racing jobs are to go at Biggin Hill Airport. Formula One Management, the company owned by Bernie Ecclestone, is making around 220 people redundant after closing its digital television channel.

The decision was a blow to the airport, which has been developing a niche role in executive and specialist charter aviation but has suffered a downturn in activity from the uncertain economic times. Formula One is Biggin Hill's biggest tenant, with a total workforce, before the latest announcement, of about 340.

Airport spokesman Julie Black said: "If they've cut back their number of personnel, they're going to cut back on the number of flights and that has a real consequence for us."

Demand for flight training has also dipped in recent months and corporate aviation has taken a hammering as preparations for war in the Gulf make the situation more difficult. There was also disappointing news for the airport on another front when Bromley council turned down its bid to operate scheduled services to Amsterdam and Barcelona.

Andrew Walters, airport chairman, said the decision was a serious blow to local shops, businesses and airport community. He called on the council to meet urgently with users and operators to discuss possible ways of filling the vacuum in the local economy.

"The airport is keen to help in every way it can and is ideally placed to develop and encourage new investment and employment to replace as many of these job losses as possible," he said.