Airport News
Below are news items relating to specific airports
Heathrow-on-Sea set for takeoff
The airport, which could cost £40 billion, would span 4 runways across 2 islands and operate 24 hours a day, with landings over water to minimise disruption to residents. It would be linked to mainland terminals by either bridges or tunnels, and powered by giant water turbines. On Wednesday a panel of experts at the ICE will discuss the plans. It will be led by Sir David King, who will submit his research to Boris Johnson 3 weeks later. (Times)
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Night flights to take off from Bournemouth airport
Residents living under the flight path of Bournemouth Airport could have a rude awakening next summer should newly proposed timetables get the go-ahead. Thomson Holidays and First Choice, have announced they want to incorporate new routes to Turkey, Corfu, Tunisia and Sharm el Sheikh. Many of these will arrive at night, often around 1 - 2 am. The airport has an annual quota for night flights and is allowed some, as long as the quota is not exceeded.
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Local MP and Councillor launch campaign against City airport flight paths
Member of Parliament for Romford, Andrew Rosindell MP and local Hylands Ward Councillor Georgina Galpin have embarked upon a campaign to reduce the number of flights and the flight paths which are allowed over Hornchurch. Andrew and Georgina have began this campaign following scores of complaints from local residents, who have been left angered and disturbed following the vast and increased number of flights over the area on their way to City Airport.
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World’s first Personal Rapid Transit System bursts onto scene at Heathrow
At Heathrow the world’s first Personal Rapid Transit system reached a milestone this week as the system was officially handed over from construction to operational testing. When the system is launched, passengers will board PRT vehicles at one of three stations and select their chosen destination using a touch screen. The programmed vehicle takes them directly to their destination, at speeds up to 40kph along dedicated guideways. (BAA)
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Cut Heathrow ‘stacking’, say MPs
A report by the Commons Transport Committee, on the use of airspace, has been published. It says government must reduce the number of planes allowed to "stack" over south-east England, and that stacking needs to be cut if a 3rd Heathrow runway is built. Also ministers should examine limiting noise levels and aircraft numbers over sensitive areas, and current guidance appears to allow unchecked increases in aviation over national parks. (BBC)
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Campaigners blast ‘brazen’ expansion of City Airport
Newham Council confirmed the planning application to expand City Airport, to accommodate nearly 50,000 extra flights per year after the project is complete. Campaigners have criticised the decision to increase the number of flights in and out of the airport to 120,00 from 73,000. They warn about the exaggerated claims made by the council about job increases, and theoretical benefits to the local economy. Flights would be capped at 120,000 per year. (Standard)
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New peril to Heathrow pilots from attacks by £10 laser guns
Pilots landing and taking off at Heathrow and Gatwick are reporting a dramatic increase in the number of laser beams fired into their cockpits. More lives are being put at risk by £10 laser guns bought from corner shops and online. BALPA warned that unless the culprits are stopped it is only a matter of time before a pilot is blinded, and passengers are at risk. Incidents rose to 206 last year compared with just 3 in 2003 and 29 in 2007. (Standard)
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Manchester Airport – £50m air terminal work finished
The £50m overhaul of the airport is complete. Designed to take the hassle out of travelling through Terminal 1, the project began 4 years ago. The overhaul is part of an £80m investment across the North West's busiest airport's 3 terminals with new airside shopping and catering facilities as well as a redesigned passenger flow. A £14m, 14-lane security area has been installed and retailers have spent almost £15m on 52 shops. (Gazette)
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Luton airport misery as drop-off fee causes chaos
Passengers arriving for early-morning flights last week were horrified to find traffic tailing back for more than a mile beyond the airport perimeter. With taxis and private cars crawling at a snail’s pace, desperate passengers got out and started the long, uphill hike to the terminal. scheme to charge drivers to drop passengers at a "priority set-down area" alongside the terminal. If you’re in and out in 10 minutes, the fee is £1, for longer it's £50. (Times)
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EC Funding ( £24.3m) for Newquay airport is approved
A £24.3m grant to help redevelop Newquay has been approved by the EC. Officials said the money, from Cornwall Council, the EU and South West Regional Development Agency, conformed to EU state aid rules. It was approved because the airport's transition from a partial military base to a fully civilian airport (up to 1.4m pax) was deemed beneficial to Cornwall's development. The Commission has already awarded the airport a 22.5m £19m EU grant. (BBC)