Airport News
Below are news items relating to specific airports
Gatwick chairman, Sir David Rowlands, blasts Government’s airport expansion ban
Date added: 11 December, 2010
Sir David, a fromer permanent secretary at the DfT till 2007, naturally wants more runways in the south east. He claims the need for new airport capacity in the UK cannot be avoided and warned that aviation's contribution to the British economy was not appreciated as much as it should be. The industry, and Sir David, claim Britain must have better connections to China and new markets, [and (somehow) new runways are necessary for this?] (Guardian)
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Door panel fell off Flybe plane at Southampton on take-off in April
Date added: 10 December, 2010
An unsecured engine door panel fell off a passenger plane and damaged a wing as it was taking off from Southampton Airport. Before departure on 22 April the captain had inspected the plane, including a check that the engine panels were secure. The report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch concluded the door had not been properly secured. The panel was found in the grass near the runway. The plane landed safely with no injuries.(BBC)
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Belfast City residents’ fury at removal of airport passenger limit
Date added: 7 December, 2010
Local residents are furious that Edwin Poots has decided to do away with the
passenger limit at George Best Airport. The limit was a crucial aspect of the
airport’s planning agreement, designed to protect local communities against undue
aircraft noise. There will now be nothing to stop all 48,000 of the permitted
annual flights using the airport from using the larger, noisier type of planes
which have been operating there – which will greatly increase the misery of people
living below
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Glasgow airport has lost around 2m passengers, but hopes to get more long haul
Date added: 6 December, 2010
Despite losing nearly two million passengers over the last two years, Managing
Director Amanda McMillan said the airport had retained its position as Scotland’s
leading hub for long-haul destinations and traditional bucket ’n’ spade charter
holidays. She said Glasgow was now well placed for recovery, with long-haul and charter flights
both increasing in popularity. (But with the usual whinge about APD ... )
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Gatwick chairman blasts airport expansion ban (not a surprise)
Date added: 2 December, 2010
The government moratorium on airport expansion has been strongly criticised by
the former permanent secretary at the DfT, who warned that ministers could not
ignore the demand for new runways. Sir David Rowlands, now chairman of Gatwick Airport, said the need for new airport
capacity in the UK could not be avoided and warned that aviation's contribution
to the British economy was not appreciated as much as it should be. (Guardian)
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Managing director, Stewart Wingate, leaves Stansted – succeeded by David Johnston
Date added: 2 December, 2010
BAA today announces that David Johnston has been appointed managing director
of Stansted Airport, succeeding Stewart Wingate, who has chosen to leave the company
to join Connaught plc. David is currently group procurement director, having joined BAA in 2007 as managing
director of Edinburgh Airport. This is the 4th change of MD in four years.
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Council claims “Diverting A45 for Birmingham Airport runway will provide £631m boost to economy”
Date added: 2 December, 2010
The airport and Birmingham City Council are claiming that the planned extension of theAirport runway and diversion of the A45 will create
almost 3,400 new jobs and deliver a £631 million boost to the local economy. Forecasts produced for the Council by consultants Arup suggest that the 2 projects
combined will trigger significant long-term economic and transport benefits, boostingknowledge-based
business parks around the M42. (Post)
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BA launches new route from London City to Chambery (for skiing not business)
Date added: 29 November, 2010
BA is extending its route network from London City Airport with the launch of
a new flight to Chambery, the gateway to the French Alps, on December 18. It
operates 4 times a week each way till March. The airport said it "is ideally set up to give our customers the opportunity to spend a long weekend,
a full week, or even longer, skiing on some of the world's best slopes and resorts."
Strange for an airport devoted to helping business flyers. As its Ibiza route.
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Aberdeen Airport’s £10m runway 124 metre extension goes ahead starting March
Date added: 29 November, 2010
A £10m 124m. extension of Aberdeen Airport's main runway is to finally take off,
it has been announced. Aberdeen City Council approved the extension in December 2006 and now BAA has
said work will begin in March. Plans were first put forward in late 2005. It is expected to finish in the summer of 2012. The longer runway opens up new
destinations, and the airport hopes it will attract business to the area. Green
groups are deeply opposed. (BBC)
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Revealed: Newcastle Airport scandal that could cost taxpayers millions
Date added: 28 November, 2010
North East taxpayers could bear the brunt of a huge debt worth hundreds of millions
of £ £s after 2 airport bosses were paid high bonuses for just taking out a loan. Newcastle Airport, which is partly-owned by the region’s 7 councils, had agreed
a £377m mortgage as part of a refinancing deal with the Royal Bank of Scotland
in 2006. Two directorsiis, had it written into their contracts that they received a % of the loan as
a bonus. (Journal)
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