Airport News
Below are news items relating to specific airports
Cardiff Airport set for increase in passenger numbers this summer
Advance bookings for Welsh tourism operators were no better than for last year’s disastrous summer, and the native holiday industry has suffered another blow with figures showing a boost in the numbers of passengers expected to travel through Cardiff airport. The poor strength of the pound against the euro has failed to dampen holidaymakers’ enthusiasm for Europe’s destinations, like Malaga, Menorca, Alicante and Palma. (Wales online)
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Fight the Flights’ response to the Plane Stupid action at City Airport
The local community group, "Fight the Flights", for residents around London City airport have commented on today's action by Plane Stupid. They say FtF is not a direct action group, but fully appreciates the frustration the climate change activists feel in getting their voices, and concerns heard on aviation expansion. Aviation is one of the fastest growing sources of CO2 emissions. Local residents in Newham are suffering constant nuisance from the airport.
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Air pollution – Big Stink at London City Airport
Back in October, London City airport was evacuated and flights were diverted as police investigated poisonous fumes possibly coming from the ladies' loos. Now it seems the cause might not have been the drains, but the planes. The airport operates a unique parking system for aircraft with the tail exhaust pointing directly into the buildings. Not only does this pollute much of the air of east London, but staff working there report various health problems. (Guardian)
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Stansted expansion still on, says BAA
BAA last week said it remained committed to building a 2nd runway at Stansted even though it could be forced to sell the airport and could face planning inquiry delays. Stansted's commercial and development director said he was confident the £1.66bn proposal for a second runway would go ahead. Speaking at a NCE conference last week he said there is a general growth pattern in aviation, and he expects a 2nd runway will open around 2017/2018. (NCE)
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Is your environment damaging your health? New center aims to find out
The damage that our modern living and working environment could be doing to our health will be investigated by a new 5M MRC-HPA Centre for Environment and Health at Imperial College London and King's College London. Projects planned at the new Centre include a study of people living near Heathrow, exploring how air and noise pollution can affect people's health. It will analyse the effects of living near road traffic from airport uses as well as planes. (GEN)
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Gatwick bidders get second shot at airport
Bidders shut out of the Gatwick auction could re-enter the fray after Manchester Airports Group, the frontrunner, held talks about enlarging its bidding consortium. It is understood that MAG has discussed teaming with Global Infrastructure Partners, and Lysander, a consortium made up of Citi Infrastructure, Vancouver Airport and John Hancock Life Insurance. MAG would welcome a 4th partner in a consortium with two other members. (Observer)
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Birmingham Airport urged to drop plans for second runway
Campaigners have called for Birmingham Airport to forever banish all plans for a 2nd runway. Chris Crean,(West Midlands FoE), and Gerald Kells (CPRE), asked for assurances from the airport during the Examination in Public into the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy. They were calling for an amendment to the draft document which appears to give local authorities the option to "safeguard" land near the airport that could be used for a 2nd runway.(Post)
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The curse of Heathrow’s Terminal 5 strikes again as foundations begin to swell
The state-of-the-art £4.3billion building, used by British Airways, has been hit by a form of subsidence that is gradually pushing it upwards. The phenomenon, known as heave, is caused by swelling of the notoriously troublesome London Clay on which the terminal is built. Tiles have reportedly had to be repaired and experts have been called in to assess the situation. The movement is unlikely to be a short-term issue. (Mail)
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London City Airport firm in lead for Gatwick
GIP, which already owns London City Airport, is facing competition for Gatwick from Manchester Airports Group, which is bidding jointly with Canadian pension fund Borealis. BAA may not want a rival airport operator such as Manchester to buy Gatwick as it might turn it into a threat to Heathrow. BAA said that the sales process was ongoing, and they may try to delay the sales process until economic conditions improve, the sources say. (Sunday Express)
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BAA Won’t Sell Gatwick If Bids Are Too Low – CEO
BAA is in talks with multiple interested parties over the sale of London's Gatwick Airport but won't sell the asset if bids are too low, its chief executive has said. Colin Matthews, said "Most people have an interest to talk down the company and say this is a forced sale so they can push down the price. We don't have to sell below a certain price," He declined to say what price the airport operator was seeking. (WSJ)