Airport News
Below are news items relating to specific airports
SSE says BAA should accept Appeal Court victory and sell Stansted
Stop Stansted Expansion has called on BAA to accept today’s ruling by Lord Justice Maurice Kay in the Court of Appeal and sell Stansted Airport without further delay. SSE urge BAA to accept the Court’s decision and relinquish control of Stansted without any more delaying tactics, such as an appeal to the Supreme Court as creating further uncertainty would not be in the interests of either the local community or the airport’s employees.
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Southend Airport announce 5-year deal with bankrupt Aer Arann
Southend Airport says they have hopes for a new deal secured with a low cost airline. The 5 year contract with Aer Arann will create a number of routes between Southend and Ireland. The details of the routes were being finalised but an announcement would be made shortly. The airline hopes it will carry 300,000 passengers starting in March. Aer Aran entered bankruptcy protection in August after suffering losses of 18m euros since 2008. (BBC)
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New Manston night flights blog spot launched
The campaigners opposing any increase in night flights at Manston (Kent International) have set up a new blogspot, called No Night Flights. The blogspot is aiming to collect together all the key questions and issues about the proposed changes, and provide answers and information. For example, on the consultation by TDC, on the details of the proposed flights, on the old and the new S 106 agreements, and on noise and pollution.
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£ millions written off as ousted Glasgow Airport Rail Link firms move back
Businesses which were paid millions of pounds to relocate in order to make way for the Glasgow Airport Rail Link - cancelled in 2009 - are being offered the land back at a fraction of the original cost paid by taxpayers. Transport Scotland has confirmed it is in negotiations with a number of businesses whose properties were obtained using compulsory purchase powers and now have first right of refusal to buy back the land. (Herald)
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Gatwick’s Wingate vows end to playing `Second Child’ to Heathrow
Gatwick airport plans to cut fees, improve rail links and lure long-haul carriers in a bid to boost the annual passenger count as much as 40% and better compete with Heathrow. Infrastructure improvements and more competitive rates for airlines could help lift traffic at Gatwick to as many as 45 million people/year. GIP aims to establish Gatwick as a London gateway for services that don’t require onward links, distinguishing it from Heathrow.(Bloomberg)
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Belfast City residents appalled by failure to enforce noise regulations
The residents’ group, Belfast City Airport Watch, has expressed amazement at the failure of the Planning Service to enforce noise regulations at George Best Belfast City Airport. Their comments came after one of the most senior officials in the DOE’s Planning Service this morning admitted to the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Environment Committee that the agency was not enforcing two key conditions of the planning agreement between the airport and the DOE.
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Herne Bay Matters blogs on the Manston night flights increase
Herne Bay residents are worried about the increase in night noise that the planned increase in night flights at Manston would cause. Infratil want to use a "noise quota system", Quota Count,which is a bit like calorie counting, but for noise. Every plane has Quota Count number. These are added up, and the airport must not exceed its QC permitted total. The standard definition of "night" for the aviation industry is 2300 hours to 0700 hours - but Manston want their night to be 11.30pm to 6am with planes at "shoulder" periods.
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Rushmoor Borough Council U-turn on Farnborough airport flights cap
Rushmoor had wanted to remove a clause limiting how many flights could take off annually from Farnborough. Due to effective campaigning by local residents, Rushmoor had to change its mind, and take account of the noise nuisance suffered. The government decision on whether to allow TAG Farnborough's appeal to increase flights from 28,000 to 50,000 is expected some time in 2011. Meanwhile Rushmoor does not know which flight figure to include in its plans.
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Lydd Airport inquiry may cost £150,000
Up to £150,000 could be spent by Shepway Council on a public inquiry into plans to expand Lydd Airport. Councillors are due to meet to decide if funds can be moved from other budget areas to pay for legal advice, staff costs and consultants. The plans were passed by the Tory-run council in March but the Government Office for the South East decided a public inquiry must be held. The inquiry is due to start on 15 February and sit for 16 days. (BBC)
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Bristol campaigners explore options for airport decision challenge
Stop Bristol Airport Expansion is taking legal advice on how to challenge the government's decision not to call in Bristol Airport's expansion plans. They criticised the refusal by the Government Office for the South West to refer the scheme as "misguided". The airport is concluding a section 106 agreement before bringing forward the scheme. It includes car parking, aircraft stands and a terminal extension. The airport assumes work could begin next year.