Airport News
Below are news items relating to specific airports
Leeds Bradford Airport expansion plans approved
Plans to extend Leeds Bradford, which would double its capacity in 5 years, have been backed by Leeds councillors. The proposals include a £28m extension to the terminal building, a new departure lounge etc. In April the council rejected an original plan due to concerns over the impact on roads around the airport. Projections show the airport's expansion plans mean it would consume all of Leeds' carbon budget by 2050. 80% of letters to Leeds City council were against the expansion. (BBC)
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Campaigners to challenge London City Airport flights increase
Fight the Flightsare to launch a legal challenge against controversial plans to increase the number of flights over east London from London City Airport. Earlier this month residents were outraged when Newham Council agreed to allow an extra 50,000 plane journeys from the busy airport, bringing City's annual flight total to 120,000. The increase will lead to greater pollution and noise for people living nearby and under the airport's flightpaths. (local Guardian)
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Coughing up before taking off – Airport Terminal shopping
With the addition of T5, Heathrow is now home to more than 500 shops, while Gatwick, which is currently refurbishing its South Terminal, has started to attract cooler brands such as All Saints. BAA says passengers can choose from cutting-edge brands they might find on the high street but at airport prices. A retain expert says customers are getting the "brand experience." You get the service and the branded bag - that adds a certain glamour. (Metro)
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Tories deny they plan to drop opposition to new Heathrow runway
The Tories today sought to quash talk that they will abandon their opposition to a 3rd runway at Heathrow. Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers slapped down a fellow frontbencher, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, who had said the party's policy on airport expansion may have to be "revisited" after the general election. Ms Villiers said: "Our position is clear and will not change. Under a Conservative government there will be no 3rd runway". (Standard)
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Ryanair cuts at Stansted raise second home owner fears
Thousands of second home owners face being cut off over the winter as Ryanair announced drastic cutbacks in services from Stansted. 10 of Ryanair's routes will be cut, and frequency cuts on another 30. Services to Spain are likely to be safe because the Spanish Government has scrapped tourist taxes and the homes are still used fairly frequently during the winter. Some French flights may be cut. This is in part a bargaining ploy by Ryanair against airports. (Telegraph)
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SSE response to latest Ryanair cutbacks at Stansted
Commenting on news today of major cutbacks by Ryanair in its winter schedules for Stansted Airport, Stop Stansted Expansion's Economics Adviser Brian Ross said: "The idea that there is any need for a 2nd runway at Stansted is now simply pie in the sky. It is also clear that expansion plans have become a distraction for BAA management at Stansted at the expense of the underlying business."”Ryanair accounts for 2/3 passengers using Stansted. (SSE)
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Heathrow campaigners picnic on the site of the 3rd runway
A plot of land with over 50,000 "owners" near Heathrow Airport was the venue for a picnic organised by the No Third Runway Action Group (NoTRAG) as part of The Big Lunch initiative on Sunday. The Airplot in Sipson was bought by Greenpeace, and now has over 50,000 beneficial owners, becoming a symbol of defiance, as well as an allotment and a small nature reserve. Even the blustery winds and light summer drizzle did not dampen the campaigners' spirits.
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Cardiff Airport road scheme axed
Plans for a new link road to Cardiff Airport have been scrapped because of the cost. It was announced at the unveiling of a 5-year transport plan. Only a fraction of the benefits a proposed airport link road would bring the area were associated with the airport. As an alternative, the assembly government would investigate a half-hourly express bus service from Cardiff city centre to the airport, and more frequent train services. (UK Airport News)
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What is Bristol International Airport planning to do?
Details of the Bristol Airport planning application, which was published on 29th June. Deadline for comment is 17th August. Plan is - by 2016 for a 60% increase in passengers. A 40% increase in commercial flights. A 50% increase in passenger car journeys to the airport. A 36% increase in night flihts, and a 50% increase in summer night flights. And all that amounts to a 60% rise in carbon emissions from the airport's activities by 2016. (From SBAE)
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BA refuse to disclose booking levels on new London City – New York route
BA has declined to disclose bookings for its new London City Airport - New York flights, which are scheduled to start 29 September, Flightglobal reports. The airline's reasons for refusing it that, at this point, the niche business travellers targeted by the flight are not prepared to book flights for travel later in the year. This probably means the figures are not good. (UK Airport News)