Airport News
Below are news items relating to specific airports
Firm which gave Heathrow 3rd runway a clean bill of health has links to BAA
A company that the Government hired to help make the case for the 3rd Heathrow runway previously worked for BAA, the Standard has revealed. Environmental consultants AEA was commissioned by the DfT to assess the implications of airport expansion on air quality. Geoff Hoon used the report it compiled to conclude the effect of a new runway on public health would be "marginal". The company had previously worked extensively for BAA.(Evening Standard)
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Get real, BAA tells SSE after they accuse BAA of living in a Walter Mitty world
BAA told members of SSE to "get in the real world" after the lobby accused BAA of "living in a Walter Mitty world of make believe". New figures show passenger numbers and flights at Stansted falling for the 15th consecutive month. Stansted handled fewer flights last month than in any month in the past 6 years and SSE estimates this year it will handle just 155,000 flights - down 20,000 on current levels, which is half the capacity of the existing runway.
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120 jobs set to go at crisis-hit Prestwick Airport
Prestwick airport are axing a quarter of their workforce. They have told their staff that up to 120 jobs are to go. The exact number will depend on the final summer schedules and the ongoing consultation process. There is a major decline in aviation activity throughout Europe. In addition, Prestwick have been hit by some firms moving business elsewhere and the demise of Seguro Holidays. There was even a plan to close the airport at night. (Daily Record)
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Over 1,000 jobs to go at Dublin airport
Ryanair has announced cuts in its summer schedule at Dublin Airport, saying they will result in the loss of 200 jobs. These will be among pilots, cabin crew and engineers. SR Technics, an aircraft maintenance firm, has said it plans to close its operation at Dublin Airport with the loss of up to 1,135 jobs. It had been forced to make the decision after losing four key contracts. SR Technics workers could find themselves out of work within the month.(BBC)
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New-look Edinburgh airport revealed ahead of £40m extension
The airport has released the first pictures of a £40 million extension which it says will help deal with an increase in passenger numbers and create hundreds of new jobs. BAA is planning a large new departure lounge, with a purpose-built security screening area. This will allow up to 13 million passengers to use the airport each year, a 50% increase on current numbers. It is also building more bars, shops and restaurants. (Edinburgh Herald)
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SSE says BAA living in a Walter Mitty world
Stop Stansted Expansion has accused BAA of living in a Walter Mitty world as passenger numbers and flights at Stansted Airport fell for the 15th consecutive month according to figures announced today. 5 years of growth have now been wiped out by the economic downturn and BAA’s 2007 decision to double Stansted landing charges to its biggest airline customers. SSE estimates that this year Stansted will handle just 155,000 flights, 20,000 less than now. (SSE)
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Aberdeen – Drop in number of flights to Heathrow
Flights to Heathrow from Inverness Airport were sacrificed for more profitable long haul services. In August 1988 there were 842 flights between Heathrow and domestic airports, and by June 2008, there were 603. In August 1988 there were 22 flights between Aberdeen and Heathrow — 3 a day. In June 2008, there were none, but 27 flights between Inverness and Gatwick. Slots are in high demand at Heathrow, so regional carriers were out-priced. (Press and Journal)
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Sammy Wilson has ‘taken no view’ on airport extension
Environment Correspondent Sammy Wilson has warned campaigners opposing a runway extension at George Best Belfast City Airport not to read too much into his decision not to take part in a crucial Belfast City Council vote. The council voted to call for a public inquiry into the plan to extend the runway by a third, but Mr Wilson was not in attendance. The council was voting on recommendations made by two of its committees. (Belfast Telegraph)
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New Kent Airport – Manston – campaign website launched
A website new opposing the planned expansion of Kent International Airport at Manston has been launched, by the Stop Manston Expansion Group - or SMEG - is at http://stopmanstonexpansiongroup.blogspot.com. The aim of the site is to "bring like-minded people together to stop the unchecked expansion of Manston, and provide alternative comment on the constant positive spin from the local press and our beloved councils, TDC and KCC".
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Heathrow case undermined
An independent parliamentary audit has called into question the government’s economic and environmental case for expanding Heathrow airport. The briefing produced last week by House of Commons library researchers, who are widely respected for their objectivity and trusted by MPs, casts doubt on some of the government’s key assumptions. These range from the availability of new "green jumbos" to optimistic forecasts of the growth of air travel. (Sunday Times)