General News
Below are links to stories of general interest in relation to aviation and airports.
AIRBUS has said it is holding talks with a number of customers interested in converting its superjumbo A380 - the world's biggest passenger plane - into a flying casino. (News.com Australia)
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Silverjet chief defends strategy as airline’s value crashes to £11m
Silverjet's shares plumbed new lows yesterday – dropping 22% to 17p to value the group at just £11m. Silverjet is an all-business class airline based at Luton Airport. The fall in its share price reflects a growing sense of foreboding about the viability of the all-business class airline model. (Independent)
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Sleepers ‘at risk’ from jet noise
Night-time noise from aircraft or traffic raises blood pressure even while people sleep, a study suggests. Researchers monitored 140 sleeping volunteers in their homes near Heathrow and 3 other big European airports. Volunteers' blood pressure increased after exposure to a noise louder than 35 decibels - whether it came from overhead aircraft, or snoring. (BBC)
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CAA Approves Terminal Control South West Airspace Change Proposal
Changes to the airspace structure linking the Midlands to the south coast of England have been approved by the CAA and will come into effect on 10 April 2008. Due to a redistribution of traffic above AONBs and the New Forest National Park, some areas will experience a reduction in the proportion of overflying aircraft. The CAA claims any increase in noise for some is "within the Government agreed level". (CAA)
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Climate protesters plan campaign of direct action against UK polluters
Climate change protesters have made plans for a nationwide campaign of direct action against greenhouse gas polluters across the UK. They warn that the campaign is set to become "more urgent" in the face of mounting evidence of growing environmental damage. Campaigners say they will target Heathrow again but escalate the campaign by striking at other targets across the country. (Independent on Sunday)
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A380 makes test flight on alternative fuel
An Airbus A380, the world's largest airliner, became the first commercial jet aircraft to use alternative fuel on Friday, marking a milestone on the road to biofuels. The fuel used, a mix of 60% standard jet kerosene and 40% GTL, was used in one of the A380's 4 engines. (Reuters)
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Singapore Airlines to launch Airbus A380 Flights to London in March
Singapore Airlines has confirmed it will fly the world’s largest passenger aircraft - the Airbus A380 - on the Singapore-London route, from 18 March 2008. The inaugural flight will be the first-ever A380 commercial service to Europe. (Asia Travel Tips)
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Aviation duty: a consultation launched by the Treasury
A consultation on aviation duty has been launched by the Treasury. The consultation follows an announcement in the 2007 Pre-Budget Report that Air Passenger Duty is to be replaced by a duty paid on a per plane basis in November 2009. "Aviation duty: a consultation", sets out options for the detailed design of the new per plane duty (Treasury Press Release)
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Beijing plans to build 97 regional airports
The Chinese government has launched an ambitious plan to build 97 regional airports by 2020, at an estimated cost of $62.5bn in an attempt to meet soaring domestic passenger and cargo demand. The cabinet has approved the plan in recent days, stipulating that 45 of the new airports are to be finished by the end of 2010. (Financial Times)
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End unfair subsidy of cheap air travel, to regenerate British seaside resorts, Travelodge tells Inquiry
Travelodge, the UK's fastest growing budget hotel chain, told a House of Commons Select Committee inquiry into tourism today that unfair tax breaks for short haul airlines are slowly bringing the curtain down on regional tourism including Britain's seaside resorts. (Travelodge press release)