Airport News
Below are news items relating to specific airports
East Midlands airport claims runway extension won’t create headache for residents
A planning application has been submitted to NW Leics District Council for a runway extension. The airport claims plans to extend the runway at the airport will increase the noise from only a "small number" of planes. They say the proposed expansion will actually reduce the level of noise from the majority of landing aircraft for some residents. The proposed runway extension would allow larger aircraft to depart at slightly heavier take-off weights. (This is Derby)
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BA chief puts case for third Heathrow runway
Willie Walsh warned ministers that rejection of the project to build a third runway at Heathrow would leave Britain without a hub airport to match rivals in Europe and the Middle East for a generation. He told an aviation conference in London that the UK economy would be held back by inadequate air links for 30 years. (FT)
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Hazel Blears ignores local residents and environmentalists by giving the go-ahead for thousands more flights at City Airport
A decision by Sec of State Hazel Blears NOT to demand a public enquiry following an application by City Airport to increase the number of flights from the airport from 76,000 to 120,000 per year is undemocratic and environmentally unsound, according to local people. The decision was made despite the fact that the initial application did not contain accurate data on noise going back nearly a decade, in breach of planning agreements. (SW Essex Greenpeace)
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Belfast City Airport seeking runway extension
A planning application to extend the runway at George Best Belfast City Airport has been submitted. If granted, it would extend the runway by 590 metres in the direction of Belfast Lough. The airport's chief executive said it would allow planes to fly further, to new destinations in Europe and the Mediterranean. Belfast City Airport Watch said the runway extension would constitute an "irreversible nightmare" for east and south Belfast. (BBC)
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SSE takes Government to the High court over Stansted decision
SSE has lodged an Appeal with the High Court challenging the Government's decision to sanction an additional 10 million passengers a year on Stansted's existing runway. SSE's legal action will say the increase in CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions cannt be disregarded in the decision to approve the extra flights; the economic impact on the UK trade deficit cannot be disregarded; and the adverse noise impacts do amount to a reason for refusal.
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Councils team up on Gatwick airport plans
An agreement to protect residents' interests in the face of possible developments at Gatwick has been signed by Surrey County Council. The Memorandum of Understanding ensures West Sussex and Crawley councils take the interests of other authorities into account when considering airport plans. Other signatories already include Mole Valley, Reigate, Tandridge, Horsham, Mid Sussex and East Sussex councils. The airport is currently for sale. (BBC)
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BAA plans to reduce construction costs with cheap foreign labour
BAA is looking to cut labour costs on airport construction work. But the current downturn, and a change in ownership after the Ferrovial takeover, means BAA is believed to be taking a different approach including plans to use cheaper foreign labour. It is speculated that BAA is considering plans to bring in workers from abroad, including Spain, for future works and paying them as little as £6 an hour. (Contract Journal)
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Battle lines drawn in Heathrow expansion
During a Commons debate on the expansion of Heathrow, Geoff Hoon said it should go ahead in spite of any short-term fears about recession. He said the airport was at full capacity and would fall behind European rivals if a 3rd runway was not allowed, and the decision had not already been made. The Tories described the DfT consultation as "a complete sham". Hoon said Heathrow would lose jobs, and passengers to Amsterdam or Frankfurt unless it increased capacity. (FT)
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The Big Question: What would a third runway mean for Heathrow, and is it really necessary?
Opposition to a new Heathrow runway is mounting, even within the Government's own ranks. A debate on this was called after around 50 Labour MPs backed a Parliamentary motion opposing expansion. Cabinet ministers - Hilary Benn, Harriet Harman, Ed and David Miliband - are all said to have expressed concerns. The most common argument for a runway is growing demand. Ministers talk about needing to take "tough decisions" to keep the UK competitive.(Indy)
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Inspector agrees to think again on Stansted runway Inquiry
The Pre-Inquiry Meeting on the Stansted second runway took place today, to consider the arrangements and timetable for the Public Inquiry. The Inquiry is due to start in April 2009 and the Inspector had proposed a 6 month timetable which he believed could be achieved by splitting the Inquiry into two 'streams'. Today he areed to re-consider the proposed timetable and insisted that he attached great importance to the Inquiry being conducted fairly. (SSE)