Airport News
Below are news items relating to specific airports
BAA told to spruce up Stansted operations
The CAA has added its voice to the criticisms of BAA, saying it needs to improve operation and communications at Stansted Airport. The CAA's comment was part of its referral of the pricing mechanism at Stansted to the Competition Commission. Airlines said the report opened the door for over inflated increases in landing charges at Stansted. (Telegraph)
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East Midlands and Birmingham – Report raises failures on cargo flight ‘catastrophe’
A string of failures caused a plane to crash-land at an airport before taking off again and carrying out an emergency landing at another, a report by air accident investigators has said. It highlights inappropriate and incorrect procedures that could have led to a ‘catastrophe’. The plane landed at East Midlands airport, and then at Birmingham, in June 2006. (UK Airport News)
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New planning rules ‘will push through third runway’
It has been confirmed that Ministers are to fast-track expansion of Heathrow airport under new planning rules. The proposals for a 3rd runway could be decided within less than a year by a new planning commission - sparking fears it will be railroaded through in the face of widespread opposition from Londoners. The same process could be used for the proposed switch to using current runways for both take-offs and landings. (Evening Standard)
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BAA compulsory purchase powers to be examined by Competition Commission
Stop Stansted Expansion welcomed the publication of the Competition Commission's 'Emerging Thinking' Report on BAA's airport monopoly. In further bad news for BAA - but news that will be very welcome to many local homeowners and landowners - the Competition Commission has announced that it is to investigate potential abuse by BAA of its compulsory purchase order (CPO) powers. (SSE)
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Heathrow – T5 shops seek rent rebate
Disgruntled retailers at Heathrow Terminal 5 are to demand rent reductions from airport operator BAA following ‘dreadful’ sales in the wake of the building's chaotic opening, the Telegraph reports. It says that many retailers' sales have fallen well below their budgets due to disruption caused by cancelled flights and lost baggage. (UK Airport News)
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Birmingham Airport runway extension could hit homes
More than 20 families could be forced from their homes if Birmingham Airport is granted permission to extend its runway. The airport's application to extend the runway by 405 metres is due to go before Solihull borough planners later this month. Some of the people living at the Haven Caravan Park, on Catherine-de-Barnes Lane, have been on the site for decades. (UK Airport News)
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Businessman wants to save Sheffield Airport
A millionaire businessman bankrolling a legal fight to save Sheffield City Airport has revealed he is interested in buying the site as a going concern - and said its loss would be ‘madness’. A group supporting this bid hopes to get a court injunction to stop the runway being dug up after the airport shuts on April 30. (UK Airport News)
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Passengers up 12.1% at Bristol Airport
Passengers were up by 12.1% at Bristol Airport in March to 503,449, with an increase in low cost and charter capacity. Domestic passengers were down 11.3% but international passengers increased 24.4% (to 325,000), mostly as a result of the opening of the new Ryanair base in November 2007. (UK Airport News)
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British Airways abandons long-haul flights from Manchester
BA has dropped its last long-haul flight from a regional airport as it concentrates its international efforts on the South East of England. The cancellation of the service between Manchester and New York has angered businessmen and politicians. BA has scaled back its international and European operations from regional airports such as Manchester and Glasgow in favour of more profitable long-haul routes from Heathrow and Gatwick. (Times)
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Stansted – Residents get to grips with what half a million planes a year overhead would mean
The reality of the prospect of being overflown by half a million planes a year using a 2-runway Stansted was brought home when representatives from 4 villages at the end of the proposed second runway joined their counterparts in Great Hallingbury. On average, the second runway plans mean that each day there would be 678 arrivals AND landings (ie 1356 total per day, compared with c 570 total at present). (Stop Stansted Expansion)