General News
Below are links to stories of general interest in relation to aviation and airports.
Heathrow: The whirlpool of uncertainty is playing to the aviation industry’s advantage
John Stewart, Chair of AirportWatch and of HACAN, writes about the flurry of publicity over the past few days, with speculative stories about the prospects of a third Heathrow runway. John says this whirlpool of uncertainty is playing to the aviation industry’s advantage. This campaign is aiming to change opinion in government, and is one lacking supporting facts and figures, and is based on innuendo, off-the-record briefings, private lunches and advertising slogans. The campaign is typified by the BAA adverts plastered across the London underground. MPs have said they cannot remember such a sustained campaign from any industry.
Click here to view full story...
Boris Johnson: Heathrow third runway will not be built while I’m mayor
Boris yesterday said that reviving the plan "would be an environmental disaster". He said: "It would mean a huge increase in plans over London, and intolerable traffic and fumes in the west of the city – and it will not be built as long as I am Mayor of London. That is why the Government is right to look at all new solutions for extra aviation capacity except the third runway at Heathrow." The Department for Transport said last week opposition to a third runway at Heathrow is a "Coalition policy" that will not change. Ken LIvingstone also opposes a 3rd runway at Heathrow, arguing short-haul capacity should instead be switched from Heathrow to Gatwick and Stansted to open up more long-haul slots to emerging markets including India and China.
Click here to view full story...
Why Heathrow does not need to be expanded and the UK does not need a new hub airport
There have been a great many speculative articles over the past few days, since the Chancellor announced the consultation on the draft white paper on aviation policy was suddenly, and unexpectedly, delayed till summer. A likely cause of the speculation is that the DfT is probably having to include Heathrow in the consultation, or risk legal challenge. GACC (the Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign) has set out some of the key reasons why Heathrow does not need to be expanded, and why a new hub airport is not needed in the UK. Gatwick and Stansted have space and are well under capacity. There is nothing stopping airlines putting on flights to the Far East from London airports, it if is their choice to do so. If these flights could be run at a profit, they would be provided. Geographically, for travellers from Europe heading east, the UK is in the wrong place, so is not well situated as a hub for them. In another informative article, Murad Qureshi also set out why Heathrow does not need to be physically expanded, as its passenger numbers are already growing, it has more than enough space for business travellers, and large numbers of convenient flights via hubs like Dubai to anywhere further east. The problem with the growing number of passengers using Heathrow is the noise and local air pollution.
Click here to view full story...
Sunday papers speculate on Tories’ change of mind on Heathrow runway
There has been a rash of very similar stories in the Observer, the Independent on Sunday and other papers today. The story seems to be somewhat flimsy, and based on no new evidence, on rather a slow news day. There appears to be nothing new other than David Cameron’s vague comment, comment by the Chancellor, and a statement from Tim Yeo earlier. Nothing else is new, other than journalist speculation. The Independent talks of the rifts in the government, between the Chancellor, Nick Clegg and Justine Greening. It also talks of "Secret plans being drawn up in Whitehall include the possibility of transforming the runway at RAF Northolt." The Independent also says: ".. flights from Chongqing, China's biggest city, do not go direct to any of London's four airports. Mr Osborne has privately admitted it was a "mistake" to rule out Heathrow expansion." Zac Goldsmith has threatened to resign as an MP if Heathrow expansion went ahead.
Click here to view full story...
Observer: “Top Tories admit: we got it wrong on third runway at Heathrow”
The Observer says that according to senior sources, both David Cameron and George Osborne have been persuaded by pressure from industry to re-examine a 3rd Heathrow runway. Apparently they have been lobbied that otherwise trade will move elsewhere in the EU. The Liberal Democrats remain deeply opposed to a 3rd runway. MPs such as Vince Cable, Justine Greening and Zac Goldsmith would be deeply opposed. However, many senior Tories want to back the runway, and have this in their next general election manifesto. The possibility of using Northolt has been put forward again. The government is afraid that without a huge hub, even larger than Heathrow, the UK will be left behind economically. Those in favour of the 3rd runway are claiming the hugely increased carbon emissions from expanding UK aviation would be taken care of through the EU ETS
Click here to view full story...
Premium air traffic continues growing, but “weakness” in Europe
IATA produces monthly reports on premium air traffic, worldwide, showing its growth or otherwise, by region and by route. In 2011 premium travel markets grew +5.5%, with economy travel growing +5.1%. Compared to the post-recession rebound in 2010, these results are a slowdown. In 2010, premium markets grew 9.1% while economy travel rose by 5.9%. However premium travel within Europe – the largest route by traffic share – expanded by 5.1% in 2011. Premium traffic Europe to the Far East rose by +8.4% and to the Middle East by +9.1%.
Click here to view full story...
IAG offers more Heathrow slots – 14 pairs – in bid for BMI
IAG has offered extra concessions to try to get regulatory approval to buy BMI, currently making a loss, and owned by Lufthansa. IAG has now offered to increase the number of take off and landing slots at Heathrow that it will relinquish from 10 to 14. Losing more than the 14 pairs of slots IAG is now proposing risked undermining the case for buying BMI, bearing in mind that BMI is loss-making (made a loss of €199m in 2011). Joaquín Almunia, EU competition commissioner, must decide by March 30 whether to approve IAG’s purchase under Brussels’ phase one inquiry process. Virgin Atlantic, which failed with its bid for BMI, wants the EU to prevent the IAG deal. If IAG bought BMI, it would increase its share of Heathrow slots from about 45% to about 53%.
Click here to view full story...
Government plans sale of NATS
The FT reports that 7 airlines, calling themselves the Airline Group, that own 42% of NATS are now willing to reduce their stake to 18 to 20%. They want the government, that currently owns 49% of NATS to own at least 25%. BAA may sell the 4% it owns. The BAA 4% could be used to push the stake being offered for sale above 50%.The airlines have said they would veto any sale of a majority stake to a buyer whose interests were “not aligned with those of Nats’ core business.” Several infrastructure investors have apparently expressed interest in buying a controlling stake in NATS. The government is keen to retain influence over what it sees as a strategically important body.
Click here to view full story...
DEFRA review of Habitats Regulations confirms environmental standards are not a brake on development
DEFRA has published its review of the Habitats Regulations. These are the most important mechanisms the UK has for protecting our internationally important wildlife sites, such as estuary and marsh habitat for birds. The DEFRA review restates the Government’s support for the Birds and Habitats Directives, and demonstrates that these vital environmental safeguards do not act as a brake on economic development. The review found no evidence to back up the suggestion made by the Chancellor, George Osborne, in his Autumn Budget Statement that the regulations are “a ridiculous cost on British business”. The Government’s own review has shown that these comments were misleading rhetoric, with no factual basis. The RSPB gave a cautious welcome to the proposed creation of a Major Infrastructure and Environment Unit. NGOs such as the RSPB will continue to persuade the Government that there is no contradiction between environmental protection and economic growth.
Click here to view full story...
Saturday 24th March: Tens of Thousands expected at Nationwide Protests against Airport Expansion in Germany
UK airport campaigners have sent messages of support to their fellow campaigners in Germany and France who will be staging major demonstrations against airport expansion on Saturday 24th March. In Germany tens of thousands of people are expected to turn out in at least five cities. In Frankfurt as many as 20,000 people could occupy the terminal. And, in Munich the campaigners against the proposed 3rd runway will hold as picnic in the terminal. In Nantes the demonstrators will occupy the centre of the city. There will also be protests in Berlin, Cologne and Leipzig. This gives the lie to the impression always given by the UK aviation industry that airports in Europe will continue to expand. They will not do so without immense and powerful opposition.