Airport News
Below are news items relating to specific airports
Manchester Airport Group agrees deal with solicitors representing local residents
Manchester Airport has agreed a compensation package with residents over the creation of the 2nd runway. Homeowners in Mobberley and Knutsford have been saved a lengthy court battle after the airport and the firm of solicitors acting on its behalf came to an agreement. Over 330 householders have lodged compensation claims. A lawsuit – to be heard by the Lands Tribunal – was due to take place in Sept but this will now not go ahead. (Knutsford Guardian)
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Birmingham Airport receives funding for expansion plans
Birmingham Airport has secured the £45 million funding it wants to extend its runway, which would allow for bigger planes, as well as a long-haul service to destinations in Asia and on the west coast of the US. The funding was obtained from provided by Santander Corporate Banking and Royal Bank of Scotland. Work is also ongoing on the merging of Birmingham Airport's two terminals.
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Community meeting on Stansted aircraft noise on 23rd July
Sir Alan Haselhurst MP will join local councillors, SSE and BAA to discuss the ongoing problem of noisy aircraft and the problems they cause to the people of the Hallingburys, Hatfield Heath, Hatfield Broad Oak and beyond at a special meeting. The issue of increased aircraft noise came to a head last summer after newly-introduced departure practices for planes leaving Stansted coupled with the intrusion caused by the ear-splitting Air Asia X Kuala Lumpur service.
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New chief – Charles Buchanan – appointed at Manston airport
A new chief executive has been appointed to run Kent International Airport Manston. Before joining airport owners Infratil Charles Buchanan worked for more than 10 years at London City Airport, ultimately as Strategy and Communications Director, where he presided over extensive growth.
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Lydd Airport chief Jonathan Gordon steps down
Lydd Airport’s managing director has resigned after the airport’s £25m expansion plans were called in by the Government. Jonathan Gordon said it would be in the "best interests" of the project. Mr Gordon, who was brought into the expansion project in August, spoke of his busy schedule as a consultant to other aviation organisations. The senior management team at Lydd has taken overall control of the business and will fight the public inquiry.
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Dublin airport ‘an alternative hub to Heathrow’, for North American destinations, says Aer Lingus
More on reasons why Heathrow will not be the only hub airport for UK passengers in future. Aer Lingus is expanding its long-haul business to North America and says more passengers in the north of England and Scotland are happy to fly to the US and Canada via Dublin, as opposed to Heathrow. Aer Lingus said it had a 36% increase in the number of UK passengers flying to North America via Dublin in June compared to a year earlier. It carries some 100,000 UK passengers a year to destinations in North America from Dublin. Passengers from the north of England and Scotland who transfer through Dublin can clear US customs in advance to avoid large queues in the US. Flying via Dublin also avoids Air Passenger Duty. Aer Lingus claims Dublin recently overtook Schiphol as the preferred hub for UK passengers who want to avoid flying via Heathrow to North America.
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Bristol Airport campaigners set up fighting fund for legal challenge
Stop Bristol Airport Expansion has set up a fund to launch a legal challenge against North Somerset Council's decision to allow the airport's expansion plans. The council approved the expansion, subject to 70 conditions, in May. If Eric Pickles does not call a public inquiry, necessary as some of the development is on green belt land, then SBAE will launch their legal challenge - claiming there is no government policy to support the decision.
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MPs sign up to back Thames airport on ‘Boris Island’
An all-party group of over 20 MPs has been formed, by Bernard Jenkins, to rescue Boris's controversial vision of an island airport in the Thames. The MPs have signed up to campaign for "Boris Island". It might be 4 or 6 runways. But Bernard Jenkins' email appeal for members was given short shrift by Kent Tory MPs, such as Jackie Doyle-Price and Gordon Henderson. Most Conservative MPs oppose it, as do Labour, who support Heathrow runway 3.
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Politicians to hear Belfast residents’ concerns on plane safety and noise
The Ulster Unionist Party leader, Sir Reg Empey, will be among a number of local politicians speaking at a public meeting on 30th June on aircraft noise and safety, organised by Belfast City Airport Watch. The meeting is being held in response to rising concern among local people, following two recent incidents in which roof tiles were dislodged from houses, apparently by aircraft, in the Parkgate area. People want answers from local politicians.
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Southend Airport expansion says it is ‘on target for 2012’
At Southend airport, the new railway station, with trains to Liverpool Street, is nearing completion. The new control tower is due to be operational by February. Plans for a 129-bedroom hotel at the airport have been "unveiled", and the airport is hoping to cash in on Olympic traffic in 2012. Roadworks to divert Eastwoodbury Lane to make way for the extended runway will begin in the autumn, and plans for the new terminal building are starting. (Echo)