AirportWatch | General News

Below are links to stories of general interest in relation to aviation and airports.

IATA figures for May show growth in global passenger numbers of + 6.8% compared to May 2010

IATA traffic results for May showed a +6.8% increase in passenger traffic over May 2010. This is +4% higher than the beginning of the year. International passenger load factors rebounded by 0.8% to 75.8%. European carriers’ traffic expanded by +10.9%, boosted by increased northern European economic activity and a weaker Euro encouraging trade and inbound travel. Capacity expanded by 10.6%, and load factor rose to 77.7%

The Ecologist: Peak oil is ‘getting closer’ but the world is not ready

The end of cheap oil has got governments panicking to control prices rather than planning for a post-oil era. The major oil consuming countries agreed last week to release some of their emergency reserves of oil in an attempt to try and cut its high market price. It was only the 3rd time such collective action had been taken. There are suggestions the US and others had lost faith in Saudi Arabia being able to increase oil production enough to keep prices stable.

Apparently “Four Million Britons Give up Flying Due to Airport Stress” ?

Bad airport experiences have led close to four milliontravellers to give up flying altogether, with more than a third of Britons who have flown now claiming the airport experience is more stressful than the working week. According to new findings from CPP, 42% say airports make them feel stressed and 23% find the prospect of getting on to their flight as stress inducing if not more stressful than moving house. Mislaid baggage, delays ....

Cambridge technology resolves airport versus wind farms conflict

Cambridge technology could end conflict between airports and wind farm developers. They may have found a solution using a holographic radar mitigation system to counteract the threat of interference by wind farms. This could remove a major barrier to wind farms. Holographic Radar is a non-scanning, continuously tracking 3D radar that can reliably discriminate between turbines and aircraft based on easily observable differences in their behaviour.

Passengers fall at some regional airports by up to 70% since 2007; APD blamed (as usual)

Passenger numbers at regional airports have fallen by up to 70% in the last 4 years according to the CAA, and operators say APD is having a ‘damaging and disproportionate impact’ on regional hubs. Over 4 years the APD on short flights has risen 140%, from £5 to £12, and more on longer journeys. They are saying rises in APD would cause loss of more regional routes and airport closures - with Bournemouth, Prestwick, Robin Hood and Exeter the worst affected.

Chief executive of Leeds Bradford Airport in plea to Government to tax others more

Several regional airports are calling on the Government to reduce the tax on regional airports. They have signed a joint letter urging the government to abandon its ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to aviation taxes, which they believe penalises the regions. Regional airport bosses want to see a charge on the busiest airports, Heathrow and Gatwick, and bemoan the fact regional airports have been hit by recession.

Dublin Airport chief’s bonus grounded – he is already paid €308,500 pa plus benefits

Anna.aero analysis of the Spanish air travel in May – up + 6.4% over May 2010

Spain’s economy is very dependent on in-bound tourism. Passenger numbers in May across all Spanish airports were up 6.4% to 17.9 million, after being up almost 5% in the first quarter of 2011. Anna.aero says the drop of -1.1% to Germany must be due to their passenger tax, which is all of €8 per passenger. UK-Spanish services were up 13% in May, and we have APD of £12 per flight, so doesn't look as if the tax has much effect.

Easyjet introduces business travel sales team of 4 to increase current 18% of flights

Easyjet has recruited 4 new people to launch its business travel sales team to attract more corporate clients. Some 18% of Easyjet’s passengers are flying on business, and they want to increase this. They want "cost conscious companies who want to gain more savings,” and savings would be coming from Easyjet’s already low fares not from discounted tickets. Buyers may be able to negotiate “added values”, such as fast-track security at airports.(ABTN)

IATA reports global drop in demand for premium air travel in April

International air travel in first and business class has slumped because of Japan's nuclear crisis, weakening world trade and problems in the Middle East, airline body IATA has said. It produces a monthly analysis of worldwide airline first and business passengers. In April the premium travel market was -1.3% on the start of the year and was growing at only half the 5 - 6% annual rate it hit in the second half of 2010

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General News