Airport News
Below are news items relating to specific airports
Tim Yeo MP warns of noise from Stansted expansion
Villages will have their peace shattered by aircraft noise if Stansted Airport expands further, a local MP has warned. Tim Yeo, Conservative MP for Suffolk South, expressed his 'unqualified opposition to the continued growth of Stansted Airport,' and said that under the NATS proposed flight paths changes, residents of communities such as Lavenham, Thorpe Morieux, and many others would have their peace shattered by aircraft noise. (UK Airport News)
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Belfast City Airport to submit runway plans
Belfast City Airport told the Belfast Telegraph that they were aiming to lodge the application to extend their runway in the ‘second quarter’ of this year. There is speculation that the application could be made as soon as next month. The news comes at press reports suggest that the airport might be for sale. (UK Airport News)
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Tories change course to fight expansion at Heathrow
The Conservatives today announced that they were opposed to the further expansion of Heathrow airport. In a significant hardening of the party line, shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers said the case for a third runway had not been made. She said the Government should look at alternatives such as greater use of high-speed rail links. (Evening Standard)
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Heathrow Terminal 5 – Second day of baggage chaos
Further chaos is expected at Heathrow's Terminal 5 after its opening day was marred by a catalogue of errors which left many stranded overnight. So far, more than 30 departures have been cancelled, queues are building and frustrated passengers have missed flights. In addition, some of Saturday's flights are expected to be cancelled. (BBC)
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Oxford airport’s business aviation centre on course 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. (Business Weekly)
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Heathrow Terminal 5 launch marred by delays and cancellations [and Flashmob]
The opening of Heathrow's new Terminal 5 was marred today as baggage problems forced British Airways to cancel 34 flights in and out of the £4.3bn terminal and passengers suffered waits of up to 2 hours for their luggage. The arrivals lounge was also brought to a standstill as a flash-mob, wearing "Stop Airport Expansion" of 250 environmental campaigners descended on the terminal. (Guardian)
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The DEMAND Campaign launches a Downing Street e-petition against Night Flights at East Midlands Airport
Steve Charlish, Chairman "DEMAND" (Demand East Midlands Airport is Now Designated) said "We are asking the Prime Minister to limit night flying at EMA, and are asking that the restrictions already applicable to the big three London Airports Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted, are applied at EMA. East Midlands Airport has been allowed massive expansion of night flights which exceed acceptable levels to the local community. (DEMAND press release)
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BIA runway extension ‘could bring in almost £1bn’
Birmingham International Airport "will" generate an income of almost £1 billion a year by 2030 if the main runway is extended. The amount is more than three times as great as last year's £272 million figure, according to research by the city council, and the number of jobs at the airport by 2030 may almost double. (Birmingham Post)
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£20 charge to drop off passengers at Heathrow airport
Drivers taking passengers to Heathrow face a £40 charge under secret plans being drawn up by the airport operator, the Standard can reveal. BAA wants to charge a £20 fee for dropping off passengers by car - on top of a daily parking fee of £20. The airport operator is also looking at a £3 congestion charge fee for lorries using roads around the airport, including the M4. (Evening Standard)
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Second runway at Stansted ‘would put unbearable strain on services’
Plans to double the size of the UK's third busiest airport are to face opposition from six local authorities representing 3.2 million people. A second runway at Stansted would put "unbearable strain" on local services, according to authorities in Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire which pledged to "vigorously campaign" against a proposed expansion announced last week by the airport operator BAA. (Independent)