Airport News
Below are news items relating to specific airports
Ministers to throw full weight behind third runway for Heathrow
Geoff Hoon, the Transport Secretary, will use a full-scale Commons debate on the runway plans on Tuesday to send the clearest signal yet that the Government will give the go-ahead to the expansion of Heathrow within weeks. Ministers are determined to face down Labour rebels after 38 of the party's backbench MPs signed a Commons motion opposing plans for a third runway. He wants to "smoke out" Tory divisions on the issue. (Telegraph)
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Time to say ‘no’ to Heathrow’s expansion
The Sunday Times leader says Heathrow’s third runway will be debated in the Commons this week. We hope the voices of opposition, said to reach right into the cabinet, will be in full flow. But a government go-ahead, when it comes, will mean little. It will be followed by a judicial review and a lengthy planning process. The government may well be out of office long before a single strip of runway has been laid down.
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Eddie Stobart poised to buy Southend Airport
Stobart Group is currently bidding to acquire Southend Airport in Essex, which is for sale by sealed offer. If Stobart does buy it, the airport would give the firm a potentially lucrative air route into the south east. The long-term lease of the Southend Council owned airport has been on the market since the beginning of the year at £55million. A decision is now expected within three days. (Echo and News & Star)
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Leeds Bradford Airport Unveils Terminal Development Proposals
Leeds Bradford Airport has unveiled a £28m development of its passenger terminal. It consists of a two storey extension to the landside face of the existing terminal, together with internal modifications to the current building, including a new and expanded passenger security screening zone, and a new departure lounge. Bridgepoint plans to invest some £70m in the airport over 5 years. There are public exhibitions till 7th November. A planning application will be submitted by the end of November.
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CAA publishes Competition Commission’s Stansted Airport charges report
The CAA has published the Competition Commission's report and recommendations on charges at Stansted, which will govern how much BAA can charge airlines during the 5-year period beginning April 2009. It recommends an increase in the maximum level of airport charges at Stansted to £6.26 per passenger, compared with the current level of £6.05 per passenger, with an increase of no more than RPI+ 1.75% per cent each year during the 5 years. (eGov monitor)
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MPs revolt over third Heathrow runway
The case for building a third runway at Heathrow has been challenged by figures showing a significant fall in flights this winter as cabinet ministers join a Labour revolt against expanding the airport. The number of flights to and from Heathrow will fall by 1.9% - equivalent to 25 flights a day - this winter compared with the same period last year. BAA said the long-term growth forecasts for aviation in the UK showed a different trend. (Guardian)
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Leeds Bradford to reveal expansion plans
Proposals for a £28m extension of the terminal at Leeds Bradford Airport will be discussed in a series of open meetings before the submission of a planning application to Leeds City Council. The initial expansion proposals are part of a £70m package. A report to a council committee next week says the proposals will provide internal improvements to the existing terminal and a new two-storey extension. (UK Airport News)
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Third runway at Heathrow would wreck climate target
Gordon Brown has been warned by senior ministers that approving a 3rd runway at Heathrow could wreck the government’s green credentials and undermine efforts to combat climate change - an 80% cut by 2050. The prime minister is facing a revolt from the cabinet and senior MPs. Among the critics is Harriet Harman, who fears residents angry at the increased noise and congestion could eject a clutch of Labour MPs in west London at the next election. (Times)
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Bristol – new climate change targets mean airport plans will damage other businesses
Campaigners welcoming the Government to include greenhouse gas emissions from international aviation and shipping in the UK’s Climate Change Bill are today warning that Bristol airport’s expansion plans now mean that other local industries will pay more for the airport’s free ride unless the airport curbs its growth. It currently has plans to increase to 10m passengers per year by 2016. This growth would mean the rich fly at the expense of the poor. (SBAE)
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New runway at Birmingham Airport could take six years
Birmingham’s direct gateway to the West Coast of America and China could be delayed 6 years if the Government calls in a £130 million runway extension scheme. The new CEO, Paul Kehoe, said Government intervention could mean a delay on a decision of up to 3 years – as well as a 3-year building programme. But if Solihull Council approves the scheme before Christmas – and GOWM nods it through – building could start by mid 2009. (Birmingham Post)