General News
Below are links to stories of general interest in relation to aviation and airports.
Attack of the vapours – how jet trails block out the sunshine
The Mail had realised that planes jetting holiday makers off on their jaunts cause vapour trails, which leave cloudy skies. The phenomenon occurs when aircraft fly above 25,000ft, where the air temperature is around minus 30C. This causes water vapour emitted by the engines to crystallise and form contrails. If the atmosphere is damp, these can linger for hours, if the extra moisture makes the air over saturated. These can cover one fifth of UK skies.
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IATA announce that air travel rebounded in May above pre-recession levels
May 2010 figures compared to May 2009 show the number of global air passengers rose by +11.7% (in Europe it was +8.3%) while air freight rose by +34.3% (in Europe +21.9%). Passenger traffic is now 1% above pre-recession levels, while the freight market is 6% bigger. In Europe the passenger load factor was up to 77.4%. In Europe, the growth rate is the slowest, and there is expected to be slower demand growth than is experienced in other parts of the world. (IATA)
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Transport Minister says domestic flights ‘thing of the past’
Philip Hammond has claimed that flying within the UK is heading for extinction. It will be a thing of the past, he said, and fast train links will be critical to addressing growing demand for air travel. Airlines like Flybe, the UK's largest domestic operator, and BA doubt this and say there will still be demand from people in the UK regions to fly to the Heathrow hub. Hammond talked of "spare capacity at Stansted". A new working group has been set up. (FT)
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London air pollution ‘worst in Europe’ with high PM10 level
The City of London is one of the most polluted places in Europe after monitoring equipment recorded dangerous levels of PM10s for the 36th time this year. Parts of London breached the annual EU levels after just 6 months. Other parts of central London are close to the limit and can be expected to break the law within weeks. Aircraft produce PM10s (from engine, brakes and tyres) and FoE said London City Airport should not be expanded, producing more PM10s.
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Online ‘Slot Shop’ for airlines to trade take-off and landing slots
Owned by 9 major UK airlines and run independently on a not-for-profit basis, Airport Coordination Limited (ACL) is responsible for allocating slots at UK airports. It has launched its new online service, SlotTrade, to the world's airlines. In the past, it depended on airlines finding each other. Now airlines can post their slot requirements and respond to other airlines wishing to acquire or dispose of slots. Probably only relevant at Heathrow and Gatwick.
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Osborne postpones action on Air Passenger Duty or per plane tax till the autumn
The government has postponed its decision on AGP. George Osborne said in his budget: "The government will report back in the autumn on its proposal to impose a per plane tax as opposed to a per passenger tax to contribute towards a reduction in carbon emissions." Much of the UK travel industry - airlines and travel agents - has called for the tax to be scrapped. The Treasury plans to raise £3.8 bn in 2014-15 from air travel, compared to £1.9 bn last year
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Peel sells airports stake to Vancouver Airport Services
Peel Holdings, the private infrastructure company, has agreed to sell a 65% stake in its airports business to Vancouver Airport Services (VAS), the Canadian operator. Peel Airports owns Liverpool John Lennon airport, Robin Hood airport, a 75% stake in Durham Tees Valley airport and Manchester City airport. It has been looking for a strategic partner as the recession has hit traffic at the airports, which rely heavily on charter flights and low-cost airlines.
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Budget 2010: Air traffic control organisation Nats to be sold off
George Osborne announced in the budget that the Treasury is to open discussions with fellow shareholders in NATS (National Air Traffic Services) over selling its 49% stake. Nats is 42%-owned by a consortium of airlines including easyJet, BA and Virgin Atlantic, with 5% controlled by staff and 4% owned by BAA. EasyJet is opposed to the sale, if it put profit before running an efficient service. The union of air traffic controllers is opposed. (Guardian)
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Budget 2010: Green policies ‘sidelined’ and little on aviation
The only proposals in the budget, relevant to aviation, were that the government will look at how to dispose of its shareholding in air traffic body NATS - it owns 49% at present. And will report back in the autumn on its proposal to impose a per plane tax as opposed to APD. Green groups were disappointed that there was little on climate change. Some expressed concern that 25% cuts in government departments could damage the environment.
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Air pollution from airports revealed by volcanic ash cloud
The closure of UK airspace for 6 days due to the ash cloud allowed scientists to confirm that airports are significant causes of air pollution. As planes and road vehicles produce very similar pollutants, it is normally very difficult to distinguish between them. During the ash crisis researchers from King's Collelge found a clear measurable effect on NO2 [nitrogen dioxide] concentrations, at both Gatwick and Heathrow. Short report available. (AEF)