General News
Below are links to stories of general interest in relation to aviation and airports.
BAA’s airports handled 2.8% less passengers in 2010 than in 2009, and 0.2% less at Heathrow
Date added: 12 January, 2011
In the UK in 2010 BAA handled 103.9 million passengers, a drop of -2.8% on 2009.
There were strikes, icy weather and the ash cloud. BAA estimates that without
these, there would have been a rise of +0.6% in passengers. The annual actual
decline was - 0-.2% at Heathrow; - 7% at Stansted; - 3.2% at Southampton; - 5%
at Edinburgh; - 9.6% at Glasgow; - 7.4% at Aberdeen. For all the UK, air transport
movements were down - 4.4% and cargo up + 14.2%. (BAA)
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Air passenger tax plans could make flying out of London even less appealing
Date added: 9 January, 2011
At the end of December, Theresa Villiers said the government might look at a higher tax to fly from congested South-East airports, and that
this would help regional airports to flourish as well as releiving overcrowding
in the SE. Birmingham Airport wants to take on many of the services currently
operating out of London. BAA is arguing strongly against a south east tax, and
claiming it would put Heathrow at a disadvantage against Frankfurt, Paris and
Schiphol.
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IATA expects average price for aviation fuel up to $84 in 2011 from $79 in 2010 – it was actually $127.5 for 2011
Date added: 9 January, 2011
Boeing has predicted that jet fuel would be a "big driver of profitability" for
its customer airlines in 2011. Every $1 rise in the price of crude adds more than
$1.6 billion ( £1 billion) to aviation’s annual fuel bill, according to airline
trade body IATA. Aviation fuel consumption is about 1.6 billion barrels a year.
IATA forecasts the average oil price will be $84 per barrel in 2011, up from the
$79 per barrel for 2010 and total fuel bill $156 billion - up from $139 billion
in 2010.
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ROLLS-ROYCE GETS LIFT FROM BA’S £3.2BN ENGINE ORDER
Date added: 8 January, 2011
ROLLS-Royce’s has landed a £3.2billion deal with British Airways to power its
new fleet of 12 A380s for delivery in 2013. This is the first order for Trent
900 engines since one exploded on a Qantas Airbus A380 in November. The deal
was first announced in 2007, and there are options for 7 more. The contract also
includes Trent 1000 engines for BA’s 24 Boeing 787 Dreamliner planes with options
for 18 more. (Express)
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UK terrorism security threat level raised from “substantial” to “severe” at airports
Date added: 7 January, 2011
The terrorist threat level specific to major UK transport hubs has been raised
from substantial to severe. The move includes airports and London railway terminals; there is no suggestion
of any intelligence of an imminent attack. The BBC has seen a letter to aviation chiefs saying there are indications al-Qaeda
"may be considering an attack against a UK airport or aviaiton sector target"
due to the economic, political and psychological significance of the sector.
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EasyJet to buy 15 new Airbus A320s to expand in Europe
Date added: 6 January, 2011
easyJet is to convert options on 15 A320s with a list price of $1.1billion ( £705million),
into firm orders with "substantial confidential price concessions" secured with
Airbus and the engine provider, CFM. Options have also been agreed on a further 33 A320s, and easyJet has converted
a contract for 20 A319s due for delivery from next January into the larger A320.
This means easyJet's fleet will grow to 220 aircraft by September 2013 from 196
in September 2010
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3 dead and scores injured after passenger plane explodes in fireball on Russian runway
Date added: 2 January, 2011
A Russian passenger jet, owned by Kogalymavia airline, carrying 124 people caught fire as it taxied down a snowy runway at Surgut in Siberia and then exploded, killing 3 people and injuring 43, including 6 who were badly burned. Most were evacuated before the explosion. The flames spread, especially after a passenger opened an emergency exit and air rushed in. All 3 engines on the Tu-154 are located in the back of the plane. The fire started in one engine. (Mail)
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Coalition proposes higher air tax from South-East airports to beat congestion
Date added: 1 January, 2011
At a "New Direction in Aviation" conference in London, Theresa Villiers intimated
the Government is looking at imposing higher taxes - through APD - on passengers
flying from SE airports in a bid to reduce overcrowding there, and boost regional
airports. BAA and south east airport are predictably not keen, but Birmingham
and Manchester airports are delighted, and making as much of it as they can. Her
statement came in a response to MAG.
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4th January: VAT goes up to 20%; Aviation still pays no VAT
Date added: 31 December, 2010
Campaigners claim it is ‘deeply unfair’ to the rest of British industry and hard-working
families that the aviation industry continues to be a special case. Campaigners
are calling for VAT to be imposed on aviation. The call comes as VAT is about
to go up to 20%. Currently aviation is zero-rated for VAT. Air passengers pay
no VAT on tickets, airline fuel is zero rated and no VAT is due on purchases of
new aircraft. Indeed, because of the zero rating, the airlines are VAT registered
and can reclaim VAT on goods and services.
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Crude oil price hits two-year high amid concerns over demand
Date added: 29 December, 2010
The crude oil price was the highest for 2 years after blizzards hit NE parts of the US, and Kuwait’s oil minister said the global economy can withstand an oil price of $100 a barrel. Other Arab OPEC members said they would probably decide against boosting output in 2011 because the market was well supplied. Oil prices have climbed 35% since this year’s low in May. In week ending 24th Dec the jet fuel price was $107.7 per barrel and $104.6 the week before.
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