Airport News
Below are news items relating to specific airports
New fears on ‘Boris Island’ airport
The coalition Government's stance on a Thames Estuary airport off Sheppey has been questioned by a Swale councillor. He asked the Swale Council leader whether the failure of David Cameron to dismiss the proposal meant it might be taken more seriously. This came after the issue was raised during a BBC interview with Mr Cameron at the Conservative Party conference. Mr Cameron had indicated he was happy for a series of feasibility reports to have been done.
Click here to view full story...
Passenger numbers drop at Gatwick Airport
Gatwick has announced a drop of 2.6% in passenger numbers during September due to the continuing effects of the economic downturn and lower numbers of leisure travellers. Long-haul travel to destinations other than North America was the only sector to see any increase in passengers, recording growth of 7.1%. Passengers going to Ireland decreased by more than 10%, while travellers on services to north Atlantic destinations fell by just over 1%.
Click here to view full story...
‘No noise assurances’ from airport over Airbus A380 using Gatwick
Click here to view full story...
Residents welcome Assembly Environment Committee decision to defer Belfast City passenger cap move
Local residents are delighted that the Assembly’s Environment Committee is to tell the Environment Minister (Edwin Poots) to defer a decision on removing a crucial noise regulation governing George Best Airport. The Committee wants the proposal to be considered either after or as part of the forthcoming public inquiry on the airport’s controversial runway extension plan. Removal of the passenger cap would lead to significant expansion by stealth of the airport.
Click here to view full story...
Gatwick cleared for A380 superjumbo flights
Gatwick has been granted planning permission to operate the world's largest commercial airliner, the 555-seat Airbus A380 superjumbo. BA and Virgin Atlantic, which operate from Gatwick, have both ordered the plane. Previously, Heathrow, Stansted & Manchester were the only UK airports to regularly accommodate it. Gatwick has spent £43m preparing for the A380, with 2 of its 6 new large aircraft stands able to accommodate it. (BBC)
Click here to view full story...
Possibility of extending Aberdeen airport runway due to BAA sale?
An aviation travel analyst has speculated that if BAA is forced to sell either Glasgow or Edinburgh airport, it will have money available to build a runway extension at Aberdeen. That would enable the runway extension of nearly 1,000ft, which was given the all-clear by city councillors nearly four years ago, to go ahead. Meanwhile BAA said it was working out options and "what impact this will have on all of our other airports." (Press & Journal)
Click here to view full story...
BAA told to sell one of its two main Scots airports
Glasgow or Edinburgh airport could soon be put up for sale after the Court of Appeal in London decided that BAA should dispose of one of Scotland’s 2 main airports. With one operator owning two airports within an hour’s drive of each other there has been little incentive for them to introduce competition on routes, tickets or charges. Business leaders are split over which would provide a better return on investment as BAA attempts to cut a £10 billion debt.
Click here to view full story...
Gatwick Airport unveils £53m station revamp
Network Rail said the station was the busiest airport station in the UK last year, and the scheme would provide improvements for passengers. It involves creating a new platform and refurbishing the concourse, as well as upgrading the track and signalling. Work will start next autumn and is expected to be completed by the end of 2013. Network Rail (= the taypayer) will pay £44.9 million towards the upgrade, and Gatwick Airport £7.9 million.
Click here to view full story...
London City Airport investor may be seeking an exit
Click here to view full story...
Court of Appeal tells BAA to sell Stansted and a Scottish airport
BAA has lost the latest round of a long-running legal saga with the competition authorities over its dominance of the UK's airports. It will now be forced to sell Stansted, and either Edinburgh or Glasgow airports. BAA lost a hearing in the Court of Appeal brought by the Competition Commission. Earlier in the year BAA had argued that the Competition Appeals Tribunal ruling has been biased as one member of the committee had advised Manchester Airport's pension fund.