Airport News
Below are news items relating to specific airports
Appeal Court refuses to re-open Stansted case
The application by SSE to the Court of Appeal, asking it to re-examine the legality of the Government's decision to approve permission for an extra 10 million passengers per annum on the existing Stansted runway, has been refused by Lord Justice Elias and Lord Justice Keene (presiding. SSE will not be seeking any further leave to appeal because these two highly respected judges have clarified important aspects of the unsatisfactory original ruling. (SSE)
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Cardiff Airport may be left behind in Bristol’s wake
Plans to expand Bristol Airport could leave rival Cardiff Airport further behind as the two terminals battle for passengers, a transport expert has warned. But officials at Cardiff described Bristol’s expansion plans as "just potential", with the planning application only recently launched. A transport expert argued that the Welsh Assembly Government needed to do more to market Wales to attract inbound passengers to Cardiff Airport. (Wales online)
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Luton Airport to charge £1 to drop-off passengers
Luton will begin charging drivers £1 to drop-off passengers from July 1st. Drivers will pay at barriers at the exit of the zone. They will have to stay with their vehicles while inside the drop-off zone and will have to leave it within 10 minutes. Luton already charges £1 for the use of luggage trolleys and £1 for clear plastic bags in which to take liquids through security. To save paying, drivers can leave passengers at the mid-term car park. (Times)
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Stansted Airport runway public inquiry delayed again
A public inquiry into whether a 2nd runway should be built at Stansted was today delayed for a 2nd time, by the DCLG Secretary, John Dehham. He said, in a letter to all parties, that it was not yet "feasible nor realistic" to draw up a timetable for the probe - because the future ownership of the airport remains in question. The inquiry had already been postponed once by his predecessor Hazel Blears, and will not now take place till after the election.
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Bristol Airport planning application launched
Bristol Airport have submitted their long awaited planning application, to North Somerset Council. Their plan is to grow to handle 10 million passengers a year. The airport claims this will create more than 3,500 new jobs across the region. And they say there are measures to mitigate the impact of the airport’s activity on the local community and environment. The expansion includes expansion of the terminal to double its floor area.
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Heathrow: Taxpayers ‘could pay for runway’
MP John McDonnell has said taxpayers could end up subsidising the £9bn bill for a 3rd runway because of the "precarious" finances of the airport's operator. He was speaking amid reports on what would happen if BAA went into administration. A BAA spokesman reiterated that the cost of developing Heathrow "will be met by the private sector". Transport Minister Paul Clark didn't answer the BAA claims but insisted expansion was vital for the UK economy. (BBC)
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OFT asked to investigate alleged unfair trading practices at Stansted
Stop Stansted Expansion has written to the Office of Fair Trading asking it to investigate allegations of unfair trading practices operating at Stansted Airport in relation to its treatment of local taxi firms and small accommodation establishments such as local B&Bs and guest houses. Over the years SSE has received a number of reports alleging anti-competitive and/or unfair behaviour by BAA Stansted towards these small local businesses. (SSE)
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Hoon exit: ‘time for Heathrow rethink’
Geoff Hoon’s resignation provides an opportunity for the Government to rethink its policy towards Heathrow expansion, according to the 2M Group. Hounslow Council’s leader, Cllr Peter Thompson, speaking on behalf of 2M said that Lord Adonis now has the chance to draw a line under the Hoon era and take a long, hard look at just how a 3rd runway squares with the Government’s key policies on climate change. They are seeking an early meeting with him. (eGov monitor)
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Airlines may get subsidies to fly long-haul from Birmingham Airport
Airlines could be offered cut-price deals to operate from Birmingham when an extension to the main runway has been completed. A proposal to lure operators with subsidies for new routes emerged in a city council study into the £120 million runway extension scheme. The committee warned that adding 405 metres to the runway was not guaranteed by itself to deliver the sharp growth in long-haul flights to America, India and China. (Birmingham Post)
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Ministers ‘misled’ MPs over Heathrow
The government has been accused of misleading MPs by trying to cover up lobbying of ministers by BAA, over the expansion of Heathrow. Conservative MPs believe they were given inaccurate replies to questions in parliament about whether Lord Mandelson’s business department had met BAA to discuss expanding the airport. Justine Greening will now ask the Speaker, to investigate. Official figures now show higher illness figures around Heathrow. (Sunday Times)