Airport News
Below are news items relating to specific airports
Farmer wins appeal to stop Carlisle Airport revamp
A Cumbrian farmer has won his legal fight to overturn planning approval for the £25 million redevelopment of Carlisle Airport. The Court of Appeal has quashed a decision by Carlisle City Council to allow Stobart Air to build a haulage depot and create a passenger and freight hub. The city council should have insisted on a full assessment of the environmental impact. Stobart was granted permission in December 2009 and is now looking at sites outside Cumbria.
Click here to view full story...
Gatwick Airport: public reactions to the absence of aircraft noise during the volcanic ash crisis
For 6 days peace was restored to the countryside around Gatwick. Older people commented that the world had gone back to what it was like in the 1930’s. It was a less fraught world with blue skies and birdsong, where one could talk to one’s neighbours without constant interruptions and sleep more soundly at night. It was a reminder of how life would be if aircraft had not been given exemption from the laws limiting noise which apply to every other industry.
Click here to view full story...
Government rules out Stansed 2nd runway, but no victory yet
SSE is pressing for early meetings with new Government ministers responsible for transport and planning to press for greater certainty in ruling out a 2nd nd runway, not just in the life of the present Parliament, but in the longer term as well. Ministers will be asked to put pressure on BAA to withdraw completely its runway application, originally submitted 2 years ago but now on hold. SSE want to ensure a 2nd Stansted runway is not in the new NPS. (SSE)
Click here to view full story...
Volcano ash cloud delays hit Heathrow and Gatwick
Heathrow, Gatwick and London City resumed limited flights after being completely closed until 0700 BST. Flights remain grounded in Northern Ireland and much of Scotland and Wales. Restrictions are expected in parts of the UK until Tuesday. Gatwick is closed to arrivals until 1300 BST and departures would be subject to restrictions. BA said airlines should be able to decide whether it was safe to fly, as the current approach was "overly restrictive".
Click here to view full story...
Coalition sets out plans on runways and nuclear
The UK's new coalition government has cancelled controversial plans to build a 3rd runway at Heathrow, and also refuse new runways at Gatwick and Stansted. However, it is not clear what this will mean for other airports in the region, such as London City Airport. In their first press conference Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg both pledged a low-carbon economy, but there are doubts about whether low-carbon energy targets will be met, and nothing on regional airport growth. (BBC)
Click here to view full story...
Birmingham Airport says it “Offers Solution to the ‘Heathrow Problem'”
Birmingham Airport's CEO, Paul Kehoe, has wasted no time in putting in his plug about the airport benefitting from the decision to scrap plans for a 3rd Heathrow runway. The airport says it now handles 9 million passengers per year, and there is enough spare capacity to take another 9 million passengers immediately – and another 21 million passengers in future years, with its runway extension, for which Planning Consent has already been given.
Click here to view full story...
Heathrow 3rd runway ‘buried’: how the Conservative-Lib Dem coalition affects London
Heathrow's 3rd runway was "dead and buried" today after Labour was ousted from power. The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats sealed their opposition to its expansion in the coalition pact agreed last night. John Stewart, chairman of HACAN, said the runway is firmly dead and buried, and there will be rejoicing amongst the residents of west London and beyond. There is no possibility of a U-turn because of the coalition and commitments by both parties to oppose it.
Click here to view full story...
Heathrow runway plans scrapped by new government
Plans for a 3rd runway at Heathrow have been scrapped by the new government. Local residents and campaigners are absolutely delighted. There were parties all evening in Sipson, which was due to be demolished under the plans. Residents under the flight path are delighted and people who stood to lose their homes are relieved. But there is caution from campaigners because of previous "broken promises", and BAA put out a statement about "work with the new government to provide strong trading connections".
Click here to view full story...
Durham Tees Valley airport wins 4 year legal battle with bmibaby
The Appeal Court has ruled that bmibaby had breached its contract with the airport when it axed its services in 2006. The decision reversed a High Court ruling last year, which found that the terms of the contract were so vague and uncertain that they were unenforceable. Three judges sitting at London’s Civil Appeal Court yesterday found bmibaby in "repudiatory breach" of the contract. The airport lost money for 8 years when a contract was cancelled. (Echo)
Click here to view full story...
What the political parties told “Gatwick Can Be Quieter” about their aviation policies
On 29th April, Gatwick Can Be Quieter (GatCan) asked 32 local election candidates in the area, and the central offices of each major party to make their views on aviation matters known to the electorate. The asked what plans the parties have for controlling spiraling growth in air traffic, making the polluter pay in aviation, phasing out old and inefficient aircraft, regulating the aviation sector etc - the replies received are printed in full. (GatCan)