London mayor Boris Johnson warns expanded Heathrow will not help Teesside connections
Boris Johnson has alerted business and political leaders in Teesside that they face the prospect of not regaining its aviation route to Heathrow, even with a 3rd Heathrow runway. The number of British cities served by Heathrow has fallen from 18 routes in 1990 to just 7 today. Teesside has not had a London connection since 2009 when flights from Durham Tees Valley Airport (DTVA) to Heathrow were scrapped. Boris has written to 11 regions and more than 480 key UK businesses to highlight the “staggering” fact the Airports Commission’s own analysis has forecast that an expanded Heathrow would accommodate even fewer domestic routes. This would mean there would only be 4 regional airports with Heathrow flights, rather than 7 now. It is therefore increasingly unlikely DTVA will regain its connection. Boris, of course, instead wants his “Boris Island” airport in the Thames estuary …People in Teeside can already fly to Amsterdam or Schiphol to connect to international flights. DVTA wants to reposition itself to focus on business routes, expanding general aviation activity and broadening the base of aviation-related activity on the site – to stay afloat.
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London mayor Boris Johnson warns expanded Heathrow will not help Teesside connections
20 OCT 2015
BY MIKE BLACKBURN (Gazette)
His calls for a new four runway airport east of London have been backed by Teesside business leaders
Outspoken London mayor Boris Johnson warned today that Teesside is unlikely to have a Heathrow flight restored if a third runway is built.
The Mayor is alerting business and political leaders in Teesside that they face the prospect of not regaining its aviation route to the UK’s only hub airport – even if a third runway at Heathrow is given the go-ahead.
The number of British cities served by Heathrow has plummeted by more than 60% from 18 routes in 1990 to just seven today.
Teesside has not had a London connection since 2009 when flights from Durham Tees Valley Airport to Heathrow were scrapped.
Today Mr Johnson has written to eleven regions and more than 480 key UK businesses to highlight the fact the Airports Commission itself has forecast that an expanded Heathrow would accommodate even fewer domestic routes.
This, claims the London Mayor, would reduce the number of British airports connected to a UK hub from seven to four – and make it increasingly unlikely DTVA will regain its connection to an expanded Heathrow.
Mr Johnson, a strident and long-standing opponent of a third runway at Heathrow, said: “Having connections with the UK hub airport is hugely important for Yorkshire.
“Those connections allow businesses to trade and secure investment across the globe.
“But the truth is that Heathrow has been failing our regions well over a quarter of a century and quite staggeringly the Airports Commission’s own analysis shows that the construction of a third runway only worsens the situation.”
The London mayor believes the only long-term solution that would enable British businesses to compete on a level playing field with European competitors is to build a four-runway hub airport, to the east of London.
Keith Miller, managing director of Middlesbrough-based Ecco Finishing Supplies, said: “International flight connections are essential for doing business. Going abroad and meeting you’re customer face-to-face is critical.
“If we can’t expand Heathrow enough because of air pollution and noise pollution over London – a new four runway airport is a great idea.
“We live in a global business world nowadays and if we don’t build an airport with enough capacity people will continue to make long-haul flights from Amsterdam or Paris.”
Last week DTVA’s owner said more must be done to boost private sector “confidence and ability” if the Northern Powerhouse is to succeed.
John Whittaker, chairman of The Peel Group, has asked for “fresh dialogue” between business, Government and other Northern-based partners in a letter to the PM and the Chancellor.
Its masterplan, published last year, aims to reposition DTVA to focus on business routes, expanding general aviation activity and broadening the base of aviation-related activity on the site.
Last month Peel announced controversial plans to quit the Teesside Pension Fund.
http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/london-mayor-boris-johnson-warns-10291125
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See earlier:
Airports Commission report shows fewer, not more, links to regional airports by 2030 with 3rd Heathrow runway
The Times reports that analysis by Transport for London (TfL) of the Airports Commission’s final report shows that, with a 3rd runway, Heathrow would only serve 4 domestic destinations by 2030, compared to the 7 is now serves. It would serve only 3 with no new runway by 2030. (The Gatwick figures are 7 domestic destinations by 2030 with a 2nd runway, compared to 10 now). Heathrow has been claiming that its runway will be important for better links to the regions, and improved domestic connectivity by air. The Heathrow runway has been backed by Peter Robinson, the first minister of Northern Ireland, Derek Mackay, the Scottish transport minister, and Louise Ellman, the chairwoman of the transport select committee – on the grounds that it would help the regions. The Commission’s report says: (Page 313) “15.8 ….without specific measures to support domestic connectivity even an expanded Heathrow may accommodate fewer domestic routes in future….” The Commission cannot see effective ways to ensure domestic links are not cut in future, as less profitable than long haul, but they suggest public subsidy by the taxpayer for these routes. This is by using PSO (Public Service Obligations) which could cost £ millions, is a bad use of public money, and may fall foul of EU law.
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Also
Councillors are told Durham Tees Valley Airport must focus on its Amsterdam routes if it is to survive
The strategic planning director of Peel group, which own the airport, says that its existing routes to Amsterdam and Aberdeen must be prioritised ahead of new London or international routes. The Peel Group gave an overview to local Darlington Borough councillors, of the airport’s masterplan to develop businesses and houses at the airport site. Peel says any future London routes were dependent on increased capacity being granted at Heathrow or Gatwick airports something that could take more than 15 years to get through government. Peel say the airport should secure its routes to Schiphol and Aberdeen, while keeping an eye on the London opportunities, as and when they arise. Durham Tees Valley lost its route to Heathrow in 2009. That was not because it was not making money, but Heathrow could make a lot more money by using the slot for a long haul route. A councillor commented: “To keep the airport going we need to accept that expanding leisure flights is not viable. You can’t get enough of those flights to keep the airport paying its way.” Peel want to “look at the site as a whole by growing the airport, the employment park and also the community aspect with the housing.”
Click here to view full story…