General News
Below are links to stories of general interest in relation to aviation and airports.
Gatwick consultation published: A proper consultation would have given the public a straightforward chance to say ‘No’
Gatwick Airport Limited (GAL) has put forward 3 options for a 2nd runway at Gatwick and is now asking for comment from the public to its consultation. They key omission in their consultation is a proper option to say NO to any new runway. A proper consultation would have given the public a straightforward chance to say ‘No’ at the start of the response form. As it is, there is a small box buried in section D with the option of "None of these options". Gatwick is asking people to choose between a narrow spaced runway (something the airport does not want, as it would not be practical - so it cannot be considered a serious option) and whether a wide spaced runway (1045 metres south of the existing runway) should be used for both landings and take offs, or for just landings or take offs, at one time. The Airports Commission has effectively already ruled out the narrow spaced runway, so its inclusion in the consultation seems to be a bit of a PR exercise. The purpose of the consultation is to help Gatwick get their runway plans approved, and if possible, keep public opposition to a minimum. Consultation ends 16th May (which is the date all runway proposals must be submitted to the Airports Commission).
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GACC describes Gatwick consultation as “plush and bogus” – it gives no proper chance to say “no” to a new runway
The consultation published by Gatwick Airport today is described by GACC (the Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign) as ‘plush but bogus.’ It is plush because no expense has been spared in an attempt to make a new Gatwick runway look inevitable. But it makes no economic or environmental sense to build a new Gatwick runway when Stansted is not forecast to be full until around 2040. It is bogus because the Airports Commission has already ruled out Option 1, the close-parallel runway. GACC’s objections remain as strong as ever. They will campaign vigorously against any new runway. The consultation document contains no maps showing future flight paths - which is an issue of huge significance to local people. It also ignores the inconvenient issue of necessary increases in landing fees, to pay for a runway + terminal. The consultation is deeply flawed, as it gives no proper option to oppose any new runway. There is merely one small option of "None of these options" buried in its section D. That is difficult to find and somewhat confusing (it could mean a preference for some other runway location). A proper consultation would have given the public a straightforward chance to say ‘No’.
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European Parliament votes to continue with partial inclusion of aviation in weakened ETS – for intra-EU flights only till at least 2016
The European Parliament voted on 3rd April to alter the ETS so that, instead of airlines being charged for all the carbon of flights into and out of the EU, the scheme will only cover carbon emissions for intra-EU flights. This is the "Stop the Clock" (STC) deal, which started in 2013. It means charges for CO2 emissions will be made for flights by European airlines, and for the very few by non-EU airlines between European airports. This severe weakening of the ETS has been caused by relentless pressure from foreign powers (USA, China, India and Russia as the main opponents), and means the ETS will only cover a small fraction of total aviation carbon emissions associated with flights to and from all European countries. The vote on 3rd reverses the position taken by the European Parliament's environment committee last month, when it rejected the change to intra-EU flights only, and very narrowly voted on a compromise that would have required non-EU flights to still pay for their CO2 emissions within EU airspace. The "Stop the Clock" weak version of the ETS will now run until the end of 2016 and the agreement allows for a return to the original full scope of the scheme from 2017 should an agreement at ICAO to implement a global market-based mechanism from 2020 not be reached at its Assembly in 2016.
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Concerns over UK tourism as Europe improves Schengen visa system
The European Commission has unveiled proposals to make it easier for legitimate tourists and business people from countries such as China to visit countries which are part of the 26-nation Schengen agreement. The UK is not a member. The EC believes the plans, speeding up and simplifying the application process, could encourage an increase of up to 60% in trips to Schengen nations from China, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the Ukraine. The EC hopes this would increase a large increase (€130 billion over 5 years perhaps) to the EC countries, and increase (they say 1.3 million) jobs in tourism and other related industries. Some businesses in the UK that benefit from high spending non-EC tourists have lobbied for years for the UK to join the Schengen visa, which covers 26 other European countries. At present visitors have to obtain a separate UK visa, which is a bureaucratic and time consuming process. Some businesses fear the UK will lose out on high spending tourists if the UK system stays the same, but the Schengen visa process is simplified. The tourists are, of course, not deterred by any lack of airport capacity - as has been claimed.
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Airports Commission publishes final version of its Appraisal Framework for short-listed runway schemes
The Airports Commission has published its final Appraisal Framework which is the document it will use to assess the 3 short-listed options for one net new additional runway. There was a consultation draft of the appraisal framework, in January. The Appraisal Framework sets out how the Commission expects the runway scheme designs to be developed, and how the schemes will be appraised by the Commission. The deadline for scheme submissions is now 14th May (not 9th). The Appraisal Framework has a list of "sift criteria categories" which are: strategic fit, economy, surface access, environment, people, cost, operational viability, and delivery. Within these categories are a list of "appraisal modules" with things like "noise, air quality, biodiversity, carbon, water and flood risk, and place" under environment. The Commission hopes "The objectives conform to the principles of mitigating and adapting to climate change and achieving good design, and they should ensure that schemes balance national, local and commercial interests." It adds that " it is unlikely that proposals will meet each objective to an equal degree and that an element of ‘trade off’ between objectives might therefore be required."
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Hillingdon Leader unveils vision with 2 scenarios of future Heathrow without the airport
The Leader of Hillingdon Council has set out his vision for the redevelopment of the Heathrow site should the government decide that a new hub airport ought to be built elsewhere in the south east. There has been a lot of scare mongering promoted by Heathrow, and its lobbying campaign, "Back Heathrow" to cause concern that jobs in the Heathrow area would be lost if a 3rd runway was not allowed. On the same day that Boris set out his own 4 scenarios for the area, if Heathrow closed, Hillingdon now sets out its 2 possible scenarios, in its "Heathrow Park: A Better Future for Heathrow." These are: (1). A smaller West London Airport similar in scale to City Airport; with "Heathrow Park" delivering 31,000 homes for an estimated 67,000 people, and including those at the airport, around 72,000 jobs. (2). If Heathrow Airport closed completely Hillingdon anticipate the creation of "Heathrow Park" with up to 45,000 homes (30% affordable) for nearly 100,000 people, with over 66,000 jobs and a wide range of education, health, public open space and community facilities. In the 2nd scenario, For both scenarios, the principle settlement of Heathrow Gardens and the surrounding ‘urban villages’ will be centred on existing tube and rail networks to maximise connectivity.
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Boris sets out his 4 ideas for future of Heathrow site if airport is closed
Boris has produced a report on what might happen to Heathrow and its surrounding area, if the airport was shut (and a massive airport built on the Thames estuary). The report sets out 4 schemes. Boris says he is "prompting a genuine, honest discussion about what London could achieve in a world post Heathrow.” He said: “The money seems to be going on Gatwick, but I do not think that is the long-term solution that London needs – in having a dual hub solution." The 4 schemes are for a new education and technology quarter, with 2 new large campus universities; a new town, with over 48,000 homes for 112,000 people and 76,000 jobs created in total ; a new residential quarter, on the scale of Hammersmith and Fulham, with 82,000 new homes supporting a population of 200,000, and 54,000 jobs; or a Heathrow City, with education and commercial research, high value manufacturing,knowledge parks and office development - with 80,000 homes and 90,000 jobs created. The report says many of the jobs currently provided at Heathrow would "move to the new airport and be easily accessible via the world class transport links proposed." There is a separate report by Hillingdon.
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Accenture cuts its CO2 emissions per employee by 36% over 5 years, partly due to flying less
The large global consultancy firm, Accenture, has released figures in its corporate citizenship report showing it has cut its carbon emissions per employee by 36% compared to its emissions in 2007. It says this has largely been achieved by increased use of video conferencing rather than flying, and also green procurement standards. Accenture says its CO2 emissions per person have now fallen from 4.0 metric tons to 2.6 metric tons per year, and over 80% is from flying + use of electricity. They champion "sustainable growth" [oxymoron] by using virtual collaboration technologies and exploring alternative travel arrangements. The company's total carbon emissions have risen by 26% between 2009 and 2013, as the company grew. The proportion of total CO2 emissions from flying is around 51% and has been that level (51% - 56%) since 2009. The carbon savings by Accenture mirror the savings achieved by companies working with the WWF-UK "One in Five" campaign which encourages a number of large UK firms to cut their flying by 20% over 5 years. Many far surpassed this target.
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IPCC report sets out impacts, risks and threats of rising CO2 to security, food and human well being
The IPCC has released the report from its 2nd working group as part of its 5th Assessment Report (AR5). This comprehensive report is entitled "Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability." It sets out more clearly, and warns more starkly, than it has done in previous reports, the extent of the widespread and serious negative effects of climate change. They say every part of the world will be affected, and urgent action is now needed both to reduce carbon emissions, and to adapt to the inevitable changes that will happen. The report deals with food security, water supplies and human health, among other topics, and it says rising atmospheric CO2 will mean global warming could undermine economic growth and increase poverty, and the chance of conflics. The warnings on future ability to grow food, for an every growing human population, is chilling. Negative impacts can only worsen if global average temperature is allowed to rise by 2 degrees C and the IPCC warns that by impacts may become potentially catastrophic to human societies if temperatures rise higher than 4C, which is what we should expect if global temperatures continue to rise as predicted without drastic emissions cuts. [How does a rapidly growing, very high carbon, aviation industry fit into this future?]
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Cardiff to Anglesey air link continues to get large government subsidy as bus grants are slashed
The Welsh Government has defended a big increase in subsidy for the North-South Wales air service while it cuts funding for lifeline bus services. From 2010-11 to 2012-13, subsidy for the flights between Anglesey and Cardiff increased by 37.2%. Subsidy was £184 for each passenger who used the service in 2012-13. Over the same 2-year period, the Welsh government reduced its grant to councils for unprofitable bus services by 29.2%. At least 94 bus routes have been withdrawn since 2011. Other services are under review because subsidy per passenger exceeds £2 or £3. The Welsh Government has been reviewing bus funding since early 2012 – but has not evaluated the air service’s costs and benefits since the global financial problems and major reductions in public-sector budgets. The route from Cardiff to Anglesey has 2 flights each way, each weekday, and there were almost 15,000 passenger journeys in 2008-09, but only 8,406 passenger journeys in 2012-13. Subsidy for the air operator and the civilian air terminal at RAF Valley on Anglesey increased from £1.08m in 2008-09 to £1.55m in 2012-13.