Airport News
Below are news items relating to specific airports
Greening clashes with MPs over ‘Boris Island’ airport
The government has ruled out building a new runway at Heathrow and there are restrictions on further expansion at Gatwick and Stansted. Some business groups say that London will lose out to other European countries if more airport capacity is not built near the capital. Justine Greening, appearing at the parliamentary select committee on transport, […]
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Leeds Bradford Airport ‘selling a pup’ over plans for expansion
Councillors in Leeds have accused the airport of ignoring communities living near the airport. The airport had around 2.8 million passengers in 2008, and around 2.7 milion in 2010, and want to increase the number to 4 million per year. They are now building at the airport to provide a new departure lounge, more shops, a large walkway to the aircraft etc. Councillors say there will be no additional infrastructure to support the expected big increase in passengers, and the road traffic congestion that would bring.
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Bird life in the Thames estuary a significant reason to block project
Article about Kent concerns about an estuary airport. Include the threat of catastrophic bird strike and the destruction of wetland habitats protected by EU and global treaties. "They will cull all the birds but then they will sterilise the land. If you want to stop attracting birds to go near an airport you need to make sure the land is not attractive to them". Lord Foster's plan would destroy five nature reserves and disrupt hundreds of hectares of marshland designated as SPA under the EU Birds Directive and the Ramsar Convention. The RSPB -backed by a million members- sees the Thames Estuary as a test case.
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George Osborne’s airport hint has Thames estuary in a spin
For residents of Grain village the Chancellor's statement that the government will consider plans for an estuary airport next year was confirmation of the threat to their homes. Osbourne is sold on the idea that infrastructure investment can boost the UK by providing economic links for business and unlocking cash from British pension funds. He also unveiled a memorandum of understanding with the National Association of Pension Funds and the Pension Protection Fund to invest up to £20bn in projects such a the four-runway airport.
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Are environmental safeguards for London City Airport strong enough?
On 1st December the GLA's Environmental Committee will meet to look at how well new environmental controls around the City Airport are currently working, and if they would continue to be effective if the number of flights increases. The LCY now has permission from Newham Council to increase the number of flights from the current level of 73,000 to 120,000 per year, subject to tougher environmental controls for air quality and noise levels - which is likely to adversely affect residents in many London boroughs.
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Gatwick airport says it has had 3.3% passenger growth March to September
Gatwick airport says it has had an underlying passenger growth rate of 3.3% over the 6 months March to April. (The apparent increase of 8.5% is distorted by the ash cloud effects in 2010). Gatwick has increased the aircraft landing charge during summer and removed them in Winter to encourage greater all-year round use of the airport. Some new airlines will start to operate services from Gatwick this Winter, including AirAsia X, Vietnam Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa.
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Thames Estuary airport plans will be considered by the government
People living around the Thames estuary are increasingly worried about prospects of one or other scheme being taken seriously by government next year. There are concerns about wildlife and birds; also about the wreck of a wartime ship that contains explosives. Kent County Council has joined forces with Medway Council and the RSPB in the Stop the Estuary Airport campaign, which encourages people to email Mr Johnson stating their opposition.
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Belfast City Residents meet Environment Minister to discuss City Airport
The Northern Ireland Environment Minister has told local residents he has yet to make a final decision on the shape of his forthcoming inquiry into modifying the noise regulations governing George Best Belfast City Airport. He is awaiting legal advice. The inquiry which would investigate how the planning agreement between the Department of the Environment and the airport could be altered. The aim of the agreement is to provide protection for residents against undue levels of noise pollution from planes. Belfast City Airport Watch asked for assurances that the Minister would, in the meantime, enforce two crucial clauses in the planning agreement – relating to late flights and the number of seats offered for sale by the airport.
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Gatwick goes after the business traveller – and rejects “Heathwick”
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Boris’s 2nd report on his Estuary Airport (megalomanic) dream
The GLA has now produced the 2nd part of the Mayor's report into his plan for a mega-giant airport in the Thames estuary. The first part of the report came out in January. It would appear that this monster airport, with up to 180 million passengers per year, (almost x3 the size of Heathrow) would only get this size if aviation climate targets are reduced and if other airports in the south east, or in the rest of the UK, have fewer passengers. Megalomania indeed.