Airport News
Below are news items relating to specific airports
Oxford Airport business aviation centre set for summer launch
Businesses in the Oxford-Milton Keynes-Northampton arc are promised greatly improved transport linkages when Oxford Airport completes construction of a brand new business aviation centre this summer. The new facility replaces the existing general aviation facility. Oxford Airport has the capacity to handle up to 160,000 movements a year. In 2007, it only saw 50,000. (UK Airport News)
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Does London need a bigger Heathrow? – Evening Standard debate between Ruth Kelly and George Monbiot
Ruth Kelly has come under fire over the expansion of Heathrow and been accused of "extreme moral cowardice" over the controversial plans. The Transport Secretary was slammed by angry Londoners and panellists at the Evening Standard debate on 22nd May on whether London needs a bigger Heathrow.
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Night flight councils lose High Court battle
Three councils (Richmond and Wandsworth councils, and Windsor and Maidenhead)have lost their High Court claim that the government did not deal with the intrusive effects of aircraft noise at Heathrow at night. The councils had challenged ministers' pronouncements on noise levels and wanted judges to overrule decisions on which type of plane, and how many, could land before 0600 BST. High Court said the issues had been dealt with three years ago. (BBC)
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Llanbedr – Lawyers review Snowdonia airfield
Plans for an aerodrome in Snowdonia have been delayed as details relating to its lease are reviewed by lawyers. Law experts for the assembly government are looking at the lease documents of Llanbedr airfield. Operators Kemble Air Services want to take over the old military airfield near Harlech, Gwynedd on a 125 year lease for private light aircraft. (BBC)
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Heathrow noise effects ‘ignored’
Three councils (Richmond and Wandsworth councils and Windsor & Maidenhead) are at the High Court, taking legal action to get the DfT to reconsider which type of plane, and how many, can land before 0600 BST. They accuse the DfT of unlawfully failing to act after it was discovered three years ago that some early arrival planes had been placed in the wrong noise category - so government did not protect residents from excessive noise at night. (BBC)
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Government looks set to back Heathrow mixed mode
Ministers are set to back increasing the use of Heathrow's runways to deal with delays. Currently, the airport's 2 runways are used alternately for take-offs and landings, changing at 3pm each day, to allow residents in different areas a break from aircraft noise. But the Government is supporting "mixed-mode" operations - take-offs and landings on both runways - to deal with peak demand and delays at the airport. (UK Airport News)
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Expansion of Heathrow backed by Ministers
Ministers underlined their support for the future development of Heathrow airport despite growing opposition to plans to build a 3rd runway and a 6th terminal. The government was responding to a recent report issued by the Commons transport select committee, which said Heathrow was losing its popularity as a transit hub to other European airports.
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BA Flight 26 – the way two million Londoners start the day
Imagine a Boeing 747-400 filled with 400 people audibly passing over the heads of, according to DfT figures, an estimated 2 million people at around 5am each morning. That is the BA Flight 26, the first scheduled flight of the day to land at Heathrow airport - the first of an average 15 further flights legally allowed to land at Heathrow before 6am. Tomorrow 4 borough councils will take their bid to stop night flights to the high court. (Guardian)
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Bristol Airport – first blood in fight to stop airport walkway
Campaigners fighting to prevent the expansion of Bristol Airport have won the first round of their fight to stop a covered walkway being built. The airport wanted to build the 2-storey structure, leading from the terminal to the edge of the runway, under permitted development rights, without submitting a formal planning application. Councillors from North Somerset Council have agreed that the walkway wouldn't be allowed without their permission.(Bristol Evening News)
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London City Airport (LCA) could be operating illegally – say Fight the Flights
London City Airport could be operating illegally. LCA have failed to submit actual noise readings of aircraft operations since the year 2000, instead using historical figures and manufacturers details in their application for more flights. Fight the Flights have seen documents which indicate that London City Airport could have been operating illegally since the year 2000., in not submitting annual "actual" noise measurements. (Fight the Flights)