Airport News
Below are news items relating to specific airports
‘Bullying’ BAA tries to scare off protesters
Politicians are accusing BAA of "bullying" after it sent a warning letter to those due to take part in a mass protest at Heathrow tomorrow. John McDonnell MP and Caroline Lucas MEP say they were outraged to be sent such a thinly disguised threat. The letter said: "While we respect people's right to protest, we also have a duty to ensure that thousands of passengers can go about their lawful business within our airport on that day..... and more. (Observer)
Click here to view full story...
Heathrow’s third runway to fall foul of EU rules
Heathrow's controversial third runway (probably) due to be given the green light by ministers this week (Thursday?) is unlikely ever to be built because it will fall foul of new European pollution laws. Neither anti-runway campaigners nor the Environment Agency see how EU air quality standards can possibly be met if the number of flights rises by 50% as planned. Plans for the 3rd runway will be presented as a New Deal-style series of public works. (Indy)
Click here to view full story...
More people used London’s airports in 2000 than used all the Paris airports in 2007
So Where’s the Competition? New research challenges the view that, unless Heathrow expands, business will go elsewhere in Europe. In 2007 a combined total of 139 million passengers used Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and City airports - compared with 88 million using all the Paris airports, London’s closest rival. More passengers fly in and out of London than any other city on earth, giving it some of the best air connections in the world. (Hacan)
Click here to view full story...
Heathrow runway ‘white elephant’
A third runway at Heathrow will be a "white elephant" unless aviation is made greener, a think tank has said. The Institute of Public Policy Research said if the runway is approved, conditions for meeting noise and emissions targets must be attached. It is understood that Boris Johnson will lead a legal challenge if the scheme is agreed, as the proposed runway would put the health of Londoners at risk and blight communities under the flight path. (BBC)
Click here to view full story...
Heathrow expansion will undermine climate targets
Friends of the Earth is deeply concerned that the expansion of Heathrow and other British airports will make it extremely difficult for the UK to meet its legal requirement to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050. The environmental campaign group is calling on the Government to scrap all of its airport expansion plans and urgently bring aviation policy in line with the latest climate science and the requirements of UK climate law. (FoE)
Click here to view full story...
Brown poised to face down Heathrow opposition
Gordon Brown is poised to face down Cabinet opposition and back the building of a third runway at Heathrow. On Monday, a powerful coalition of business groups and unions will urge Brown to publicly announce the go-ahead for the airport’s expansion. More than 50 Labour MPs and several Cabinet ministers oppose the new runway. Mr Brown believes that large infrastructure projects are crucial to boosting employment in Britain during the recession. (Telegraph)
Click here to view full story...
‘Heathrow is a monster. It must be fed’ – John Stewart interview
For a decade, John Stewart has fought the 3rd runway, creating one of the most formidable civil coalitions Britain has seen. Next week, world crises permitting, No 10 will give permission for an application to be made to build the runway - but John is getting on with scuppering the project. More than 20 local authorities, 6 unions, environmental NGOs, 50 rebel Labour MPs and all the opposition political parties are now opposed to the expansion. (Guardian)
Click here to view full story...
Heathrow terminal faces blockade by activists posing as passengers
A mass protest against a third runway at Heathrow could cause hundreds of flights to be cancelled next week as demonstrators attempt to blockade Terminal 1. Geoff Hoon, the Transport Secretary, is likely to approve the £13 billion third runway next week, which would allow BAA to submit a planning application next year. Climate Rush plans to block the departure gate at T 1 on Monday evening, and expects at least 1,000 people to attend the protest. (Times)
Click here to view full story...
Imagine this once every 5 minutes – Bromley and flight path changes
Airplanes could be droning overhead every 5 minutes if a major flightpath alteration goes ahead, an expert has warned. Weeks before the government decides on a 3rd runway at Heathrow, campaigners claimed they discovered 'hidden' evidence that the number of flights going over areas including Beckenham, Dartford and Croydon could be a third higher than expected. Planes could be flying over Beckenham every 5 minutes.(Bromley Times)
Click here to view full story...
Heathrow rail hub, HS2 and third runway all being planned?
The government appears to be paving the way for a possible ‘triple whammy’ announcement of plans for a new rail hub serving Heathrow, plus a new high-speed rail line between London and the North — as well as a 3rd runway at Heathrow. The government is keen to go ahead with Heathrow’s 3rd runway despite strong opposition. Minister Andrew Adonis said there was "a very strong case" for a new high-speed line up north, and the Heathrow Hub. (Rail News)