BOURNEMOUTH Airport closed to non-commercial flights for three days.

All private flights, including business flights, light aircraft and flying schools, were grounded this past weekend after a staff shortage at air traffic control.

The decision was made to "protect the travelling public".

Paul Norwood, a private plane pilot who flies a two-seater Europa, was left frustrated that he and his friends were grounded.

He said: "There is a group of us who normally go flying twice a week over to France or the Channel Islands or even other parts of the UK.

"We are all frustrated with this because all can't go now. We were planning to go to the Channel Islands.

"As bad as it is, we have to give 12 hours' notice to control before we leave. The flying school can't even fly or business flights.

"Especially with the weather being so nice, it makes it particularly frustrating."

A spokesperson for the Civil Aviation Authority said: "We are aware of this and it is due to staff shortages and this closure appears to be a business decision to protect the travelling public."