Latest News
AirportWatch on 
@AirportWatch
Summaries of, and links to, the latest aviation news stories appear below. News is archived into topics
For a daily compilation of UK articles on national and regional transport issues, see Transportinfo.org.uk | For more stories about specific airports see Aviation Environment Federation Transport & Environment Anna Aero TravelMole Press releases from CAA IATA BA Ryanair easyJet Jet2.com For climate change ECEEE news and Guardian Climate and NoAA monthly analysisCheck Hansard for reports on Parliament |
 |
Latest news stories:
New report from the Netherlands on the failings of aviation biofuels
A new report on biofuels used in aviation has been produced by Milieu Defensie, in the Netherlands. The aviation industry places its hopes of achieving "carbon neutral growth" in future on extensive use of biofuels, as well as carbon offsets from other sectors. The new report shows that not only are the carbon emissions "well to wake" of biofuels for aviation small, but the conventional calculations ignore the non-CO2 effects - cirrus cloud induced by contrails, and NOx effects. These impacts are the same for biofuels as for conventional jet kerosene, and may as much as double the climate effect of jets flying at high altitude. The report points out that the carbon emissions caused by the growing of biofuels are not accounted for anywhere, under the current system - creating a large anomaly in the EU ETS.
Click here to view full story...
Nasa scientist Jim Hansen: climate change is a moral issue on a par with slavery
Prof Jim Hansen, who is leading climate scientist at NASA, says that the way in which our society now is storing up expensive and destructive consequences for society in future - by altering their climate - is an "injustice of one generation to others". Current generations have an over-riding moral duty to their children and grandchildren to take immediate action. He is also calling for a worldwide, flat rate tax on all carbon emissions to force immediate cuts in fossil fuel use, and this tax would rise each year. It would promote a dramatic increase in the investment and development of low-carbon energy sources and technologies. He says the latest climate models had shown the planet was on the brink of an emergency, with repeated natural disasters from extreme weather events which would affect large areas of the planet.
Click here to view full story...
Frankfurt night flight ban between 11pm and 5am upheld by higher court
A German court on Wednesday ruled in favor of a night flight ban at Frankfurt airport, Europe's third busiest, dealing a blow to German flagship airline Lufthansa and airport operator Fraport. Lufthansa says it needs Frankfurt night flights so its cargo operations can compete with fast-growing Gulf airports and it will be hit financially if there is a ban. In 2009 the local government said it would allow 17 flights between 11 pm and 5am from the end of October 2011 on economic grounds. Then residents under the flight paths took the case to court. Their complaint was upheld in October by a local court just before the opening of the 4th runway. Now a judge at a higher court in Leipzig confirmed the ban and said the federal state of Hesse must make a new decision on whether to allow night flights. This will have implications for other European airports like Paris Charles de Gaulle and Heathrow.
Click here to view full story...
Birmingham LEP chairman wants Heathrow 3rd runway as well as Birmingham airport growth
The Chairman of the Birmingham Local Enterprise Partnership, Andy Street, who is also MD of John Lewis, is a key member of the organisation called London First, which produced a report in Feb 2012, wanting a 3rd Heathrow runway, mixed mode on both Heathrow runways, as well as a new hub airport, more lax planning restrictions, and public subsidy for aviation. As well as pushing for growth at Birmingham airport, Mr Street is also pushing for a new Heathrow runway, and has somewhat upset his colleagues in Birmingham by not seeing "the issue from a national perspective and neglects the valuable role regional airports can play in satisfying this demand in both the short and long term.”
Click here to view full story...
Aviation biofuels conference regards price of “sustainable” jet fuel to be the main problem
GreenAir online reports at length on proceedings of the World Biofuels Markets 2012 conference that took place in March in Rotterdam. Delegates agreed the price of biofuels was still too high to make them commercially viable, and finding fuels that genuinely avoid ILUC (indirect land use change) are not available in large amounts. The airlines and companies want credits for these fuels, and incentives to increase production. Some airlines are prepared to pool together to buy jointly, in order to give producing companies the scale, and the future certainty, they need. For example, there is a 14-airline agreement with AltAir for up to 75 million gallons per year of camelina-derived fuel and a 10-airline letter of intent with Solena for 14 million gallons per year from 2015. And United has executed a LOI to pursue the purchase of 20 million gallons of fuel from Solazyme
Click here to view full story...
Aviation should be included in the UK’s carbon budgets, Government advisers recommend
The Committee on Climate change produced its long awaited statement on how aviation should be included in the UK's 5-year carbon budgets. The Climate Act currently omits international aviation and shipping, but while setting budgets, the CCC has to "take account" of’ these emissions. The government must decide by the end of 2012 on whether to include them. The CCC recommends that international aviation and shipping should now be included, and that UK international aviation emissions should be back at the level they were in 2005 by 2050. The CCC says international aviation emissions should be added to currently legislated budgets based on the UK share of the EU ETS cap (i.e. 31 MtCO2e per year - which is 155 MtCO2e over the three 5 year budgets, taking us up to 2027). UK aviation emissions grew around 120% between 1990 and 2005. Due to the inclusion of aviation and shipping, the CO2 emissions of all other sectors have to be cut by over 80% of the 1990 level by 2005, so aviation is being given a very generous deal indeed. The CCC has decided not to include the non-CO2 effects of aviation for the time being, though these NOx etc impacts of other sectors are included, and it presumes that technology may be able to remove the problem in coming decades.
Click here to view full story...
Bombardier Q400 plane to make first Canadian commercial flight on 49% Camelina + 1% ? GM brassica carinata
In mid-April, Porter Airlines plans to use one of its Bombardier 70- to 80-seat Q400 turboprop airliners to conduct the first biofuel-powered revenue flight in Canada. It has already made a biofuel test flight. Rather cynically they are timing their flight close to Earth Day "to emphasize the contribution that biofuels are expected to make in helping the aviation industry meet its targeted reduction in emissions,” and there are a lot of worthy-sounding green sentiments expressed about carbon savings .... the usual over-optimistic greenwash stuff. The fuel they will use will be 50% biofuel, and of that 49% camelina and 1% Brassica carinata (a member of the brassica, cabbage, family). Targeted Growth Canada (TGC) produced the crop of Camelina. The 1% Brassica carinata may be a GM crop, being grown in Canada.
Click here to view full story...
Runways, emissions and the EU ETS: why Tim Yeo is wrong
This week Tim Yeo MP announced that he had changed his mind about Heathrow expansion and now supported the idea of building a third runway. He had two reasons: that the economic case in favour has changed, he says, and that aviation is now part of the EU ETS. He didn’t mention noise, air pollution, or destruction of local villages. But even on his own terms he’s wrong – on both counts. AEF’s new 2-page briefing Runways, emissions and the EU ETS explains why.
Click here to view full story...
Richmond Park MP Zac Goldsmith warns of Heathrow expansion backlash
Zac has warned that a Government u-turn on Heathrow expansion would have “crushing political ramifications” for his party. He says if the Tories back reconsideration of a third Heathrow runway, it would be an “unbearable betrayal” for the 2 million residents living under the flight paths - and he threatened to resign if the Conservative Party went back on its pre-election pledge to block Heathrow expansion. He appreciated that the Heathrow controversy helped him win his Richmond seat, one of the biggest victories for the Conservatives in the 2010 election. Vince Cable, MP for Twickenham, declined to say this week whether he would quit if the Government reconsidered a third runway.
Click here to view full story...
Air China says no change in Airbus orders
TAir China Ltd has not cut or cancelled any Airbus orders and is sticking to the delivery plan for the aircraft. China has suspended the purchase of a total 55 Airbus jets, including 45 long-haul A330s and 10 Airbus A380 superjumbos worth a total of $14 billion amid a trade row over the ETS. Air China's chairman said the stand of China's central government is to oppose firmly the EU's unilateral move to impose a carbon tax and Air China is doing the same. Air China would stick to its plan to take delivery of 35 new aircraft this year, including fourteen A320/A310 and six A330 from Airbus. China wants the EU to conduct bilateral talks with the Chinese government to solve the dispute. Air China wants to expand passenger capacity by 8% percent on domestic routes and 12%t on international routes this year.
Click here to view full story...
Cautious welcome from Belfast City residents for airport noise consultation
Local residents have given a cautious welcome to news that the Environment Minister, will hold an inquiry and consultation aimed at addressing the issue of aircraft noise linked to George Best Belfast City Airport. Belfast City Airport Watch (BCAW) want protection for local residents and their quality of life. They say: “A far higher number of residents living near City Airport have to suffer unacceptable levels of noise than is the case at major UK airports such as Stansted or Gatwick." They also face more noise this year from several new international routes operating out of City which are likely to push up noise levels even further. BCAW wants the consultation to result in a tougher airport Planning Agreement which is properly enforced. Many thousands of Belfast people suffer levels of noise above those recommended by the WHO.
Click here to view full story...
John McDonnell MP calls for publication of all contacts between aviation industry & ministers
In a letter to the Guardian, John says that since the government decided against a 3rd runway, BAA and the aviation industry have mounted a vastly expensive lobbying campaign to reverse this decision. Now we have the revelation that companies have been able to buy access to ministers with the opportunity to influence policy. "I am calling for the publication of all contacts between the aviation industry and ministers, civil servants and party officials at all levels." If the government "seeks to ride roughshod over the democratic wishes of our people on this issue, we will call up the largest environmental direct action campaign this country has seen. It won't just be a campaign about a runway it will be a campaign to reclaim democracy and demand honest politics."
Click here to view full story...
Heathrow’s third runway is not happening – move on. John Stewart.
It turns out that the stories about the government having changed its mind on a Heathrow 3rd runway were just rumours, set off by the aviation industry as part of their PR machine. The Financial Times quotes George Osborne's office: "There is no softening on the question of a third runway at Heathrow." This is significant, as the chancellor was the man consistently fingered as pushing for a review of the policy on Heathrow. In November 2011 the Chancellor said the government would "explore all options for maintaining the UK's aviation hub status, with the exception of a third runway at Heathrow". In reality, the practical and political difficulties of building a 3rd airport at Heathrow are insuperable. The high-profile aviation industry campaign has not produced any convincing evidence to back up its vociferous claims that the UK economy will suffer unless there is additional runway capacity. John McDonnell has called for publication of all contacts between the aviation industry and ministers, civil servants and party officials at all levels, to reveal lobbying.
Click here to view full story...
APD ‘shows little impact on sales’ for long-haul
Hayes & Jarvis is reporting an ‘unexpected’ long-haul bookings boost, with the Americas and Caribbean doing particularly well. They said bookings for the Caribbean are up 37% overall, despite fears passengers would be put off by having to pay more APD than other destinations. Dominican Republic is seeing an 800% increase in bookings; Cuba is reporting a 66% increase; and St Lucia is up 55%. Mexico has seen a bookings surge of 143%, fuelled by demand for ‘value’ among people opting for upmarket all-inclusive packages. The Caribbean destinations have argued the current APD banding system is unfair, because passengers to the Caribbean pay more than, for example, passengers to the US, even though flight times are similar.
Click here to view full story...
Government announces National Planning Policy Framework – comment from many organisations
Minister Greg Clark has released the final version of the new planning policy. Some environmental NGOs welcomed the unveiling of new planning guidance which addresses some the concerns raised. The new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) contains a definition of sustainable development which may be able to ensure local authorities can plan for vital homes, jobs and transport links without causing damage to our wildlife and countryside. The recognition of the value of undesignated countryside, and the explicit acknowledgement that use of brownfield land is a core planning objective are welcomed. WWF said it was disappointing and a lost opportunity. "Ultimately though, there's still no strong, clear guidance to local authorities on how they can use the sustainable development policy in the NPPF and apply it to their circumstances."
Click here to view full story...
Simon Jenkins: London’s airports and a string of broken promises
What value a politician’s promise? As London airport policy returns to centre stage, this issue is centre stage. Nothing in London politics has been more cynical than the “historic pledges” given by governments to residents around Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick airports. Time after time local people have been told that if only they would capitulate and accept giant jets flying over their homes, “There will never be any question of further expansion in the future.” The congestion and noise pollution associated with major airports in residential areas are now regarded, in most countries, as unacceptable. The aviation industry once promised to invent engines so quiet that airport noise would be a thing of the past. In London, millions must have been devoted to lobbying successive governments to break the promises of no expansion from their predecessors.
Click here to view full story...
Belfast City Airport Drops Runway Extension plans – comment from BCAW
Belfast City Airport Watch give a cautious welcome to the news that the airport has dropped its plan for a runway extension. But BCAW say the City Airport is, in any case, transforming itself into an international airport (with 9 international routes this summer) which - because of the larger, and so noisier planes required - is likely to exacerbate the existing noise nuisance suffered by thousands of residents. What’s needed is tougher noise regulation so there can be a balance between the commercial interests of the airport, and the health and quality of life of residents. BCAW welcome the fact that the Department of the Environment is about to hold an inquiry to look at the noise issue, and hope residents will get better protection from noise as a result of it. They feel that the City airport should not be an international airport, while there’s an existing international airport – Belfast International – just up the road with plenty of spare capacity.
Click here to view full story...
Thousands gather at German airports to protest against aircraft noise
On Saturday 24th, thousands across Germany - perphaps as many as 30,000 - took part in protests at airports, against airport expansion and aircraft noise. At Frankfurt airport there were around 10,000 people, wanting a night flight ban from 22:00 until 6:00 and a cap on the number of take-offs and landings each day. At Berlin there were about 10,000 protesters against the planned new Brandenburg airport. And at Munich airport, over 500 people had a picnic in the terminal, protesting against a planned 3rd runway, the decision on which is due in June. There were also protests at Halle, Düsseldorf, Leipzig, Bonn and Cologne - as well as at Nantes.
Click here to view full story...
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...
Luton Airport expansion plans ‘ludicrous’, says Herts County Council
Herts County Council say the plans are ludicrous and the application needs to be called in and decided by the Secretary of State. They say they are surprised "how little intelligence accompanies this consultation" and that having two consultations and two applications going on in parallel is very confusing for everyone.The Cabinet Member for the Environment said: "I would urge the borough and the operator to consider their respective positions and - regardless of the merits or otherwise of growth at the airport - come forward with a mutually acceptable proposal"
Click here to view full story...
EasyJet flights from Southend to 9 destinations start on 2nd April
EasyJet starts its flights from Southend on 2nd April. They say there will be 70 easyJet flights per week. They will start a ski flight to Geneva at the end of the year. The easyJet launch programme includes family destinations, city breaks and a few business routes. There will be 9 destinations, rising to 10 with the addition of Geneva. Alicante, Amsterdam, Barcelona Berlin, Faro, Ibiza, Jersey, Majorca and Malaga. Amsterdam is proving the most popular route to and from Southend. There will also be two routes to Ireland by Aer Lingus, to Waterford and to Dublin. EasyJet say Southend is their 11th UK base, bringing 3 new A319s and "over 150 employees" to the airport. They expect over 800,000 passengers in the first year.
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...
Belfast City Airport withdraws runway extension plan
The management of Belfast City Airport have withdrawn their plans for a 590 metre runway extension. It had first submitted its plan in 2008. The airport's Chief Executive said it was being withdrawn as some of the information in the application was out of date. The airport had hoped that having an extended runway would mean it could attract a number of new airlines that could not use the existing runway to fly to European destinations. There was huge local opposition to the proposed runway extension, as there is a real problem with noise and a great many Belfast residents are overflown. Belfast City Airport Watch, a group which opposed the runway extension, said they were still worried about noise nuisance and that more - and noisier - international flights are still likely. Congratulations to Belfast City Airport Watch for their perseverance and hard work on this over many years
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...
Protect Kent: Manston airport sale “a chance to introduce proper planning”
The Kent branch of CPRE, Protect Kent, has said that Manston has been unable to become a commercial success for many reasons, not least its lack of infrastructure. They notice the undeniable fact that Manston airport has consistently struggled to attract passengers and airline operators despite the massive amount of investment into it. They hope, along with thousands of local residents in Thanet, that Thanet District Council will take the sale of Manston as an opportunity to bring the operation under the proper control of a robust planning agreement to protect the interests of all of Thanet's residents. "The prospect of intensification of night flights, while Manston airport has been unable to exploit its daytime capacity, has hung over the county for far too long."
Click here to view full story...
Transport secretary pledges to ‘remove barriers’ to Birmingham Airport expansion
Justine Greening has said she wanted to “remove barriers” which prevented Birmingham airport growing. The airport has been lobbying ministers to be allowed to expand, and has argued that in the long term regional airports such as Birmingham should be considered as an alternative to a new airport in the Thames Estuary. Ms Greening said the planned high speed rail line, which will include a new station close to Birmingham Airport, would make it far more accessible to people from across the country. On the Aviation Policy Framework (consultation on which is now delayed till summer from March) she said "... we are quite keen to see what we can do to allow regional airports like Birmingham to flourish. They have a key role to play and we want to look at how we can take away some of the barriers that stop them doing that and look at how we can really put them in the best possible position to do well."
Click here to view full story...
Thames estuary airport fears as full National Planning Policy Framework to be published next week,
In his Budget, George Osborne said: ”Next week my right hon. Friend the Communities Secretary and the Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tunbridge Wells (Greg Clark), the Minister with responsibility for planning, will publish the results of our overhaul of planning regulation. We are replacing 1,000 pages of guidance with just 50 pages. We are introducing a presumption in favour of sustainable development, while protecting our most precious environments. The new policy comes into effect when the national planning policy framework is published next Tuesday. This is the biggest reduction in business red tape ever undertaken.” This does not bode well for the Thames estuary.
Click here to view full story...
New York Times: says EU ETS can be profitable for airlines
The New York Times says many airlines like Emirates could make significant amounts of money out of the EU ETS. It could make a modest profit of €1.5 million from a small surplus of permits, each representing a ton of carbon dioxide, that airlines can trade as part of the system. So far more than 20 countries have agreed on a basket of retaliatory measures that will penalize European carriers unless the system is suspended. As the current price of carbon is so very low, the cost is about €3 on the price of a round-trip ticket between Brussels and Washington, or about €4 for a round trip between Brussels and Beijing. Significant price increases are only expected after 2020. Airlines get 80% of their permits free, but many charge passengers anyway.
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.
Click here to view full story...
Boeing, Airbus, Embraer sign MOU to cooperate on biofuels
Boeing, Airbus and Embraer signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) "to work together on the development of drop-in, affordable aviation biofuels," the aircraft manufacturers have announced. The companies said in a joint statement that they have "agreed to seek collaborative opportunities to speak in unity to government, biofuel producers and other key stakeholders to support, promote and accelerate the availability of sustainable new jet fuel sources."
Click here to view full story...
Osborne delays launch of government aviation consultation to “summer”
In his Budget speech, George Osborne said: "I also believe this country must confront the lack of airport capacity in the South East of England – we cannot cut ourselves off from the fastest growing cities in the world. The Transport Secretary will set out Government thinking later this summer." The aviation consultation that had been intended to start sometime between the Budget and the end of March appears now to have been postponed, to an unspecified date - probably some time after May. This appears to have taken the DfT themselves by surprise. It is speculated that the reason has been disagreement between George Osborne and the Lib Dems, on the desirability of future aviation expansion. The Budget states that Air Passenger Duty (APD) rates will rise from April 2012, as had been set out in the Autumn Statement 2011. APD rates for 2013-14 will rise by the RPI from 1 April 2013. The aviation industry campaign to try and get APD reduced or removed has cut no ice with the Chancellor.
Click here to view full story...
Third runway plan for Hong Kong gets green light – and risk to rare pink dolphins
Hong Kong’s Executive Council has, in principle, endorsed the construction of a third runway at Hong Kong International, according to the official Hong Kong government website. This means the airport authority can proceed with an environmental impact assessment, plan design details and financial arrangements. The EIA needs to look at marine ecology, noise and air quality and is expected to take two years. "The government wants the authority to complete the assessment, design and financial options by the end of 2014 so the runway can be built by 2023." The runway is expected to cost $136 billion and involve the reclamation of 650 hectares of land from the sea.
Click here to view full story...
Why have oil prices gone up, and how is jet fuel affected?
IATA expects the price of oil to rise this year. The price of jet fuel is about $139 per barrel at present, and has been around $124 to $140 over the past 12 months. There is speculation about what is causing the current increase in the price of oil, and to what extent this is caused by difficulty in pumping much more crude oil. Partly due to the recession since 2008 the amount of oil pumped worldwide has not risen much over the past 5 years, with slight fluctuations. Even the International Energy Agency said last year that production of conventional crude oil will decline slightly to "around 68 mb/d by 2035. To compensate for declining crude oil production at existing fields, 47 mb/d of gross capacity additions are required, twice the current total oil production of all OPEC countries in the Middle East."
Click here to view full story...
IATA expects the price of oil this year to dip global aviation profit to $3 billion
IATA says it is downgrading its profit forecast for the global aviation industry this year to $3.0 billion for a 0.5% margin. This is $500 million lower than it forecast in December, due to the increasing price of oil. IATA expects the average price of oil to be $115 per barrel this year, up from its earlier forecast of $99 for Brent crude. This will push fuel to 34% of average operating costs and see the overall industry fuel bill rise to $213 billion. If Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz, oil could spike to $150 per barrel. Airline performance is closely tied to global GDP growth. Historically, when GDP growth drops below 2.0%, the global airline industry returns a collective loss. Global passenger demand is now expected to be 4.2% in 2012. IATA says European airlines are expected to make a $600 million net loss.
Click here to view full story...
Birmingham Airport contractors selected for road improvement and runway extension
A £65 million project to improve the roads around Birmingham Airport was unveiled today, laying the ground for a runway extension. It was announced today that contractors VolkerFitzpatrick and Colas have been jointly appointed for both the A45 Transport Corridor Improvement and the runway extension. Work will start on the £32m road scheme in July, and it is expected to be completed by next summer, with work on the runway extension starting in June 2013. The £33m runway project is expected to be in operation by the spring of 2014.
Click here to view full story...
India to ask airlines to shun EU carbon scheme
India is apparently poised to ask airlines not to take part in the ETS. China in February barred its airlines from participating in the ETS. The Indian official, with direct knowledge of talks between the EU and other countries on the issue, told Reuters that India will soon ask local airlines not to share emissions data with the bloc or buy any carbon credits. The official said that if the EU retaliates by suspending Indian airlines from flying to Europe, India would make similar moves and consider charging an "unreasonable" amount for flying over India. "We have lots of measures to take if the EU does not go back on its demands. We have the power of the economy, we are not bleeding as they are."
Click here to view full story...
David Cameron says Britain needs bigger airport for London
Mr Cameron's comments came in a speech in London shortly after a meeting of the so-called Quad of senior Tory and Liberal Democrat ministers to put the final touches to Wednesday's Budget. He said:"I'm not blind to the need to increase airport capacity, particularly in the south-east." "We need to retain our status as a key global hub for air travel, not just a feeder route to bigger airports elsewhere, in Frankfurt, Amsterdam or Dubai." "Yes, this will be controversial. We will need to take decisions for the long-term - and we will be bringing forward options in our aviation strategy which will include an examination of the pros and cons of a new airport in the Thames estuary." "The aviation paper that we will be producing will look at a range of options and possibilities, scope the whole issue but also look at what the estuary options are - obviously there is more than one." Hints at expansion at Gatwick.
Click here to view full story...
“The road to climate change isn’t a road. It’s a flight path.” Subvertising!
Climate Rush have been out subvertising. Subvertising means adding a slightly different message to billboards and posters, subverting the advertising. Heathrow airport has been lobbying MP’s on their way to work with posters and advertising all the way up the escalators with a £100k advertising campaign in Westminster Tube station. The billboards bear grotesque slogans including, ”The road the economic recovery isn’t a road. It’s a flight path”. And then "Which is why we need an aviation policy that doesn't restrict growth [meaning aviation growth]. Climate Rush has now modified them, to give a more climate aware message.
Click here to view full story...
Observer article on BAA, Heathrow expansion, hub airports, capacity, tax etc leading up to the consultation
"Sustainable" aviation remains an aspiration, and Heathrow continues its lobbying campaign to get its 3rd runway. Justine Greening has said there will be no new Heathrow during the life of this parliament. However, the Observer says "Despite officially ruling out Heathrow expansion, noises emanating from the Department for Transport suggest BAA's claims won't go entirely unheard." One apparent compromise could be getting more planes in and out under "mixed mode" – using both runways as air traffic controllers see fit. John Stewart said: "If you take [runway alternation] away, you could generate revolution in Richmond. It could be even more controversial than a third runway." Environmentalists are not the only ones to query the hub argument: plenty within the industry do too.
Click here to view full story...
Second consultation at Luton Airport – this time it’s the Master Plan
Back on 13th February, the London Luton Airport Ltd, that owns the airport, launched its public consultation into expansion plans, called "futureLuToN:Optimisation”. This consultation ends on 25th March. But on 14th March, the operators of the airport, London Luton Airport Operations Ltd (LLAOL) launched their own consultation on a new, draft Master Plan, prior to submission of a planning application. This Master Plan consultation ends on 25th April. Both consultations are to increase the number of flights greatly, with the LLAOL proposal anticipating 15- 16 million passengers per year eventually, which is lower than the London Luton Airport Ltd plans. The plans appear to be relatively similar, neither propose extending the runway, and both are unconvincing on noise - which is bound to get significantly worse for all those overflown, with almost doubling of flights.
Click here to view full story...
Heathrow welcomes China’s largest airline, and a new trade route to Guangzhou
China Southern, the largest Chinese airline, has now been able to get take off and landing slots at Heathrow for 3 flights a week to Guangzhou. This is the first direct flight to Guanzhou from the UK, though there are many other flights to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, from where connecting flights can be made to all the regional Chinese cities. BAA complains that it is limited in how many flights it can provide to China, that its European rivals have more, and that they have more direct routes. BAA says Paris, Frankfurt or Amsterdam airports will boast direct flights to Chengdu, Hangzhou, Wuhan, Xiamen, Nanjing, Shenyang and Qingdao this year. However, Heathrow manages around 21 flights per day to Miami, and large numbers to other non-business but profitable routes. Heathrow appears to have many more passengers each year travelling to China (Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong) than Frankfurt, Paris or Schiphol.
Click here to view full story...
BA and UK leading airlines warn Government of impending chaos during Olympics and ask for ‘urgent action’
BA, easyJet, BMI and Virgin have warned Justine Greening that they expect delays and disruption to air traffic around London during the Olympics, unless measures are taken to improve management of air space. They say the major airlines and air traffic controller bosses had together come up with a list of potential solutions to the expected air chaos caused by the extra traffic during the Olympic period – particularly the three days before the Games, the period of the men's 100 metres final, and the period immediately after the closing ceremony. They want temporary permissions to be given to airlines, airports and NATS to work differently during the games, to avoid delays and reputational failure of the UK. The airlines and air traffic controllers have been calling for more flexibility to prioritise the bigger airports such as Heathrow and Gatwick over smaller airports such as Farnborough in Surrey during times of highest demand.
Click here to view full story...
UK Air Transport Movements in 2011 up a bit on 2010, but lower than any other year since 2003
Overall for the UK in 2011, the number of Air Transport Movements (commercial movements, not including hobby flying, general aviation etc) rose by +2.18% compared to 2010. The number of ATMs in 2011 was down 15% from the peak of over 2.4 million in 2007.At Heathrow, the number was very slightly higher than the previous peak, in 2007, and more significantly higher than more recent years. At Gatwick, the number of ATMs is lower than it was in 2005, to 2009. At Manchester, ATMs were slightly up on 2010, but very substantially lower than in earlier years. At Stansted, they were the lowest for the past 10 years. At Edinburgh the number was lower in 2011 than in 2004 to 2009. At Birmingham they were the lowest for 10 years. At Luton they were lower than in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 or 2009. And so on.
Click here to view full story...
More stories on the airlines’ publicity push to get APD reduced or scrapped …
This goes on and on. The aviation industry complains that they cannot pay tax, or else they will not be able to grow and prosper, and they need to keep their low tax status. They also make out, repeatedly, (and incorrectly) that the UK economy is dependent on having growing air travel, in order to prosper. This week Virgin Atlantic has again joined forces with easyJet, IAG and Ryanair to demand the Government commissions an independent study of the economic effects of Air Passenger Duty. They say it is "fantasy economics to continue to impose such an uncompetitive tax without any analysis of its impact." Sigh. This again conveniently omits the fact that air travel pays no VAT and no fuel duty, so the overall effective annual subsidy, even taking account of the new rates of APD starting on 1st April, is around £8.5 billion per year. That's money not paid to the UK treasury for public services etc.
Click here to view full story...
Environmental regulations set to be slashed
Scores of environmental regulations are to be slashed under government plans to be announced on Monday 19th. The rules affected include controls on asbestos, invasive species and industrial air pollution; protection for wildlife and common lands; as well as restrictions on noise nuisance and deadly animal traps. Ministers are expected to say the cutting of red tape will save businesses £1bn, but the move has shocked campaigners, who argue that the government's search for economic growth is mistakenly targeting the environment. The impending announcement follows intense pressure from David Cameron and George Osborne to remove what the chancellor has called the "ridiculous costs" of "endless social and environmental goals". 174 regulations that will be scrapped, merged, liberalised or simplified.
Click here to view full story...
Is the Solena / British Airways plan for jetfuel from London domestic waste greenwash?
Damian Carrington, of the Guardian, discusses the potential benefits of the plant in East London that is to be built by 2015 by Solena, to turn London's household waste into jet fuel. It will also produce some electricity. British Airways is pushing ahead with a plant that aims to turn half a million tonnes of Londoner's household rubbish into 50,000 tonnes a year of jet fuel. Damian says: " I'll let you decide if this is greenwash or not: here's some of the details." BA's Jonathan Counsel says "We accept we are a significant source of emissions, and growing," he says. "Taking action is about earning our right to grow." Boeing says the industry wants to get 1% biofuel into the global jet fuel supply by 2015, which equates to 600m US gallons a year. And more if it can. Why should this household waste go to aviation fuel, rather than energy for other uses?
Click here to view full story...
Jury still out on Heathrow operational freedom trials
Heathrow has been running its 'operational freedoms' trial for several months, from November 2011 to February 2012. This is the first of two trial periods, with the second during the Olympics, from July to September this year. BAA produces results of the trials, and a daily report, which are very difficult indeed to interpret. The trials are to allow Heathrow to use both runways for takes offs or landings, if a delay builds up, so flights do not suffer more than a minimum delay. It appears that an average of 23 aircraft landed on the ‘wrong’ runway each day during the first two months of the ‘operational freedom’ trials at Heathrow, which compares to a daily average of 12 during the same period in 2010. The number of complaints received by BAA rose significantly but more analysis is being carried out on the reason for this.
Click here to view full story...
Durham Tees Valley airport lobby to get Public Service Obligation route to London
Phil Wilson, the Labour MP for Sedgefield, will table an amendment to legislation currently before MPs to require airlines to maintain routes if investment and jobs depend on it. He wants to revive air links to London from regional airports such as struggling Durham Tees Valley. The idea will also be put to Aviation Minister Theresa Villiers when a delegation, led by Mr Wilson, meets her on April 24, to discuss the Durham Tees Valley Airport problems. He wants the committee considering the Civil Aviation Bill to examine the possibility of a clause, which would require an obligation to continue to fly because of the impact on the Tees Valley of withdrawing flights to London.
Click here to view full story...
ICAO sees difficult path to airline emissions plan
A senior ICAO official has said that getting a global agreement to limit aviation emissions will be difficult because of developing country concerns about the economic impact. ICAO met this week to discuss the issue, and directed a working group to continue studying the four options that could form an alternative to the EU ETS, and report back in June. One problem is the principle of "common but differentiated responsibility," under which developed countries should shoulder most of the burden of cutting emissions. And at the same time adhering to the Chicago Convention, that requires "non-discrimination" between members.
Click here to view full story...
Frankfurt night flights between 11pm and 5am to be banned
The Frankfurt campaigners have won a partial night flight ban at Frankfurt in the teeth of opposition from the airlines and the regional government. The local government had allowed 17 flights per night between 11pm and 5am. The High Court has now ruledt ht there is a ban on all flights between 11pm and 5am. The number of hours of the ban is similar to the one that operates, in theory, at Heathrow (11.30 – 4.30) but it is a significant achievement for the campaigners. There can still be a total of 133 flights over the full period of 10pm to 6am - so during the periods of 10 - 11pm and 5 - 6am. The campaigners at Frankfurt say: "This Frankfurt decision will encourage you all at Paris, London and Amsterdam, but as well at Madrid, Barcelona and other airports of Europe. Frankfurt will be the first big Hub having a night flight restrictions!"
Click here to view full story...
Munich now Europe’s 6th busiest airport, overtaking Rome; decision on 3rd runway to be made in June
Munich airport is Lufthansa's 2nd largest base in Germany after Frankfurt. A third runway has been proposed for the airport and last week, a variety of supporters from across the political and business spectrum got together to promote the benefits of an additional runway. A decision is due in June as to whether the airport can proceed with its plans. Campaigners are getting organised to oppose the planned building of a new 3rd runway at Munich. The case for a new runway there is weak because the existing runways are nowhere near capacity, most of the flights from Munich are domestic so could transfer to rail, and there is very low unemployment in the area.
Click here to view full story...
Naked trio fined for Birmingham Airport protest against biofuel
Back in October 2011, three protesters stripped off at Birmingham Airport, to draw attention to the "bare faced" publicity stunt by Thomson Airways, in putting on a few flights with one engine using 50% biofuel from used cooking oil, brought 5,000 miles from a refinery in Louisiana. They have now been fined £150 each, and ordered to pay costs of £80 and a victim surcharge of £15. Thompson said they know the available volumes of used cooking oil are limited and that it can never replace total fossil kerosene consumption, and neither can vegetable oils.
Click here to view full story...
New York: Jamaica Bay residents oppose plans for JFK airport to expand
Last year, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey did a study on how to expand capacity at its airports amid warnings the region could lose billions of dollars in economic opportunity in the coming decade if travelers fly somewhere else. This sounds so like London and Heathrow …… New York Port Authority study projected […]
Click here to view full story...
Toronto, Canada: Landowners who fought Pickering airport plan mark 40 years
Recently hundreds gathered in the ghost town of Brougham, near Toronto, to celebrate their 40-year fight with the federal government. The group "Land Over Landings" is the latest iteration of the grassroots organization that captured the nation’s attention in 1972 with wild stunts and savvy backroom political dealings. Forty years ago, government announced plans for a new airport in north Pickering to relieve pressure on Malton airport, now known as Toronto Pearson International. That meant expropriating 7,530 hectares nd booting out 2,000 residents. A group of homeowners calling themselves "People or Planes" fought the plans, and though the land is now empty and unoccupied, the blocked the new airport. There are now plans again to perhaps build a runway, and opposition is building again.
Click here to view full story...
New GLA report “Plane Speaking” – Tackling air and noise pollution around a growing Heathrow
In a report the GLA Environment Committee calls on the Government to adopt a new method of measuring aircraft noise. It found that the method recommended by the EU more accurately reflects noise disturbance. Under the method traditionally used by the UK Government, just over 250,000 people are said to be disturbed by noise from Heathrow. But the EU method puts the figure at 725,000. HACAN welcomes the report and urges the Government to take account of its findings. The current way of measuring noise says planes are not a problem in places like Putney or Fulham! This is clearly untrue. The EU method gives a more accurate picture of the true numbers affected by noise. In a wide-ranging report, the Committee also recommended that the noise measurements from Heathrow and London City Airport should be combined to reflect the way people who live under both flight paths hear the noise.
Click here to view full story...
Time to change Heathrow runway policy, says Tim Yeo
Tim Yeo, who is a former Conservative environment minister in John Major's government, is calling on the government to drop its opposition to a 3rd Heathrow runway. Tim Yeo is now chairman of the parliamentary energy and climate change committee, said the inclusion of aviaiton into the EU ETS meant it would not lead to an increase in emissions. Mr Yeo thinks it is more practical to build a 3rd runway at Heathrow, rather than an estuary airport - which is in the wrong place, and for which the costs are unquantifiable. Yeo backs the line that Britain must have a "world class transport infrastructure" if it was to be "a world class economy in the 21st Century".
Click here to view full story...
Dacorum Borough Council’s Overview & Scrutiny Committee opposes expansion of Luton
Dacorum Borough Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee discussed the expansion of Luton Airport on 6th March and gave it a clear thumbs down. Committee Members voted to recommend that the Council object to the expansion of the airport to 18m passengers per annum, and were particularly concerned about the noise impact that would be caused by the extension of the operations – particularly during the night. They expressed the following concerns, among others: * the expansion needs to be taken forward in an environmentally sensitive and sustainable way; * all impacts must be properly accounted and mitigated for; and * the proposal must minimise disturbance to local communities. Any expansion must be underpinned by effective noise and environmental controls.
Click here to view full story...
Kehoe: A third runway at Heathrow isn’t enough. Let’s allow our regional airports to take off
Paul Kehoe, CEO of Birmingham Airport says 3.3m passengers from outside the southeast travel to a crowded Heathrow, mostly for the simplest journeys to well-served, short-haul holiday destinations such as Mediterranean resorts. Holidaymakers from Birmingham flying to Malta or Lisbon are taking the slots needed by corporate passengers in London trying to reach valuable new markets. This makes no sense. No sense for British families or for British businesses. No wonder London’s business leaders are tearing their hair out. And this situation doesn’t help businesspeople in the regions hoping to attract investment to their own local economies. He says there are nine major runways outside of London that could better cater for regional passengers.
Click here to view full story...
Airbus and 6 European airlines have written to 4 European leaders to attack ETS
Seven European aviation firms have written to 4 government leaders complaining about the inclusion of airlines in the EU ETS. These include Airbus, BA and Virgin Atlantic. They are arguing now that the ETS threatens jobs. They are concerned about trade retaliation by countries not complying with the ETS. Airbus is claiming the retaliation by China and the USA is threatening more than 1,000 jobs (at Airbus) and another 1,000 through the supply chain. China had suspended the purchase of planes made by European manufacturers because of the levy. In a draft of the letter seen by the BBC, the companies urge politicians to pursue a "compromise solution"... They now want the ETS to be put on hold until a global plan for carbon emissions is agreed.
Click here to view full story...
Sir Richard Branson’s £5bn Heathrow offer rejected
Branson had made a publicity-grabbing comment to the aviation-loving Telegraph that he would give the UK government £5 billion if they went ahead with a third Heathrow runway. The DfT has said "the Government was committed to developing a new aviation policy framework that would examine all the options with the 'exception of a third runway at Heathrow.' " The Telegraph takes the opportunity of publicising the weak, flimsy report put out today by the World Travel and Tourism Council, with unsubstantiated claims about job gains and economic benefit from removing APD.
Click here to view full story...
Aviation industry pressure on government to cut APD. Again.
The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has commissioned a report by Oxford Economics, to put pressure on the government, before the Budget on 21st March, to cut Air Passenger Duty (APD). APD is the tax on air travel that the UK charges, because air travel pays no VAT and pays no fuel duty. The WTTC report makes out that huge numbers of UK jobs would be lost because of the tax and huge numbers of jobs ..... based on deviously contorted logic. The government is expected to collect £2.8 billion in extra tax from air travellers over the next 12 months.The Treasury appears unmoved, and has commented that "unlike some other European countries, the UK does not levy VAT on domestic flights and aviation fuel is not taxed. The aviation industry will also benefit from the cut in corporation tax.'
Click here to view full story...
Under-taxed Aviation Industry wants to pay even less tax! It wants APD removed!
A report due out tomorrow will claim that Air Passenger Duty (APD) is hurting the economy. But it fails to address the reason for the tax. The report from Oxford Economics, and commissioned by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), will claim that removing APD would result in an additional 91,000 British jobs being created and £4.2 billion added to the economy in 12 months. AirportWatch Chair John Stewart condemned the report “as a little more than a self-interested attempt by the aviation industry to pay its full share of taxation. It pays no tax on it fuel and is zero-rated for VAT”. The aviation industry is actually under taxed. Not over taxed. In 2010/2011 the exemption from fuel tax and VAT was worth more than £11 billion to the airlines. After deducting APD revenues of around £2.5 billion in 2012 after the rise this coming April, the net benefit is around £8.5 billion – equivalent to a subsidy to the airlines of about £360 per household. John Stewart said“The Government has rightly ignored the special pleading of the aviation industry to pay even less tax. There is no indication that this latest report from the industry’s favourite consultant will change the Government’s mind.”
Click here to view full story...
Sir Richard Branson: Virgin expansion finished in UK – without a 3rd Heathrow runway
Virgin Atlantic was now focusing on expansion in America and Australia rather than the UK. Branson's announcement is intended to put pressure on the government to expand Heathrow. He made the somewhat bizarre statement that " If there is one thing that is holding the country back it was the decision by all three parties to do the cowardly thing and that was to say they wouldn't allow a third runway.". So that explains the economic downturn? Virgin's problem is that it cannot get enough slots at Heathrow, especially if BA buys BMI. So as a bit of a bribe, Branson says Virgin would be willing to invest £5bn in expansion at Heathrow with new routes and take on thousands of new people, if the Government reversed its position on the 3rd runway. Another strange comment is that "in 5 to 10 years planes would burn clean fuel and have quieter engines." What ??
Click here to view full story...
Germaine Greer: Your airport idea doesn’t fly, Boris Johnson
Germaine Greer, writing about the threat of a Thames Estuary airport says "concerns about the environmental impact of airports are always expressed in terms of the health of the human population. There is no concern for the health of the planet, though this will be the same thing in the end. It is perhaps the bitterest irony that a new airport for London may become a necessity because Heathrow has become too big and too dirty to use without incurring massive fines for excessive pollution. .... The environmental consequences [of an airport offshore] may be less obvious to humans, but for a vast range of other earthlings, they are certain to be catastrophic. Once the toxic fallout from jet engines has entered and accumulated in the food chain, the Thames may become once more what it was less than 100 years ago, a poisonous sluice."
Click here to view full story...
ICAO: Global air passenger traffic up 6.4% in 2011, to rise 4.5% annually going forward
ICAO say the number of global air passengers rose by 6.4% in 2011. IATA said the number was 5.9%. ICAO says the rise in capacity was 6.5%, and IATA says it was 6.3% (revenue passenger kilometres). ICAO hopes global air passenger numbers will rise by 4.5% per year through to 2030. ICAO also predicts that total aircraft movements (including both passenger and cargo flights) will double from 24.79 million annually in 2010 to 51.71 million per year by 2030. IATA said in 2011, the rate of growth of international passengers was up 6.9%, while the growth in domestic passengers was up 4.2%, giving a total of up 5.9%. IATA says European passenger growth in 2011 was up 9.2%. AEA said its member airlines had growth of 7.2% in 2011. Europe is 26% of the total air passenger traffic, Asia-Pacific 30.5%, North America 27.1%, Middle East 8.1%, Latin America 5.8%, and Africa 2.5%.
Click here to view full story...
Chilean flight from Santiago to Concepcion using partly used cooking oil fuel
A Chilean airline has operated a biofuel flight between Santiago and Concepcion, using an Airbus A320, using used cooking oil. There is the usual hype about biofuel flights, and statements about biofuels being a green future, hugely cutting carbon emissions etc etc. They say they "want to be pioneers in the use of renewable fuels in South America.” It is unclear if other flights are planned, or if they intend in future to use other "second generation" biofuels like jatropha, camelina and halophytes, or organic waste such as vegetable oils, or derived from algae.
Click here to view full story...
Downton and Harry Potter stars take to our screens to encourage us to holiday at home
Various stars and celebrities have been used in adverts encouraging Britons to holiday at home. This is a much-anticipated - and controversial - advertising campaign to encourage Britons to holiday at home which has now been launched. (8th March). The star-studded adverts, which feature Downton Abbey's Michelle Dockery, Harry Potter's Rupert Grint, as well as British icons Stephen Fry and Julie Walters, are part of a £5million campaign. The initiative hopes to harness the power of the Olympics and Diamond Jubilee and inspire Britons with the tagline: 'Holidays at Home are Great'. It is the country's biggest ever domestic tourism drive and VisitEngland predicts the new campaign should generate an additional £80m in domestic spend and create 12,500 jobs.
Click here to view full story...
Zac Goldsmith MP: A new runway is the last thing Heathrow needs
Zac, who is MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston, both badly affected by Heathrow noise, writes in the Standard to say that the two million or so residents who live beneath the Heathrow flight path are accustomed to the noise - but they would feel that any expansion would represent an unacceptable broken promise. They remember all too well the pledge from BAA’s chairman in 1999 that “Terminal 5 will not lead to a third runway”. But no one should underestimate the power of the aviation lobby. Just a year after its apparent surrender, BAA is at it again, lobbying with a fury. However, Zac says he has every reason to believe the Prime Minister will hold his position. The arguments are on his side. The real issue is how Heathrow capacity is used, rather than increased runway capacity.
Click here to view full story...
UK aviation industry presents its (unrealistic) Road-Map for growing while cutting carbon by 2050
An aviation industry body calling itself The Sustainable Aviation Group has updated its 2008 Road-Map on how it hopes to continue growing as much as possible, and yet also magically keep its carbon emissions down. There are many assumptions about the extent of fuel efficiency from new planes and new engines; from better operational practices such as better air traffic control. And a huge hope that biofuels will be the salvation and provide immense carbon savings. In addition, they will depend to a huge extent on carbon trading with other sectors, so at least a quarter of their emissions will have to be compensated for by other sectors. And for all this they want a lot of government subsidy and assistance - which means money from the tax payer.
Click here to view full story...
Prestwick airport is to be sold by New Zealand owners
Prestwick has relied heavily on Ryanair flights, which have been cut back sharply in the past two years, as the airline moved business to Edinburgh. New Zealand-based Infratil said the sales are the result of a decision to refocus where it plans to invest. It has also decided to sell Manston. Prestwick Chief Executive Iain Cochrane said "Prestwick is a great airport with a great team and a great future. I believe this is an excellent opportunity for us to attract new investment into the airport to provide the stimulus for future growth." In reality Prestwick saw a drop of nearly 20% in passenger numbers in July 2011, compared with the same month last year. Passengers for all of 2011 were around 1,295,600, down -21.9% on 2010. This is down hugely from the 1,817,200 or so in 2009.
Click here to view full story...
Confirmed: Manston Airport up for sale, as Infratil also sheds Prestwick
Manston Airport has been put up for sale by its New Zealand based owners, Infratil, leaving the future of its staff of around 100 uncertain. At Infratil’s Investor Day it announced that it intends to sell its two UK airports Manston and Prestwick because of a refocusing of its investment profile. MP Sir Roger Gale says “more than one serious player” was interested in buying Manston. For the time being it is business as usual for the airport. Infratil will prioritise its other business interests – which include electricity generation and retailing and natural gas as well as transport provision in New Zealand. The sale and the chance for a new start, could be good news for local residents profoundly opposed to the threatened night flights against which they have campaigned forcefully.
Click here to view full story...
Aviation employment figure of 150,000 jobs in 2009 given by DfT is wrong. It was 120,000.
The DfT's Aviation Scoping Document, produced for the consultation that started in March 2011, had the confident assertion that: the air transport sector "provides about 150,000 jobs in the UK and supports many more indirectly". However, when challenged on this figure, it emerges that it is incorrect, and much higher than the correct number. The correct number is 120,000 as the average for 2009. Some wrong figures were used, and then unjustifiably rounded up to produce the incorrect 150,000 figure. The figure for employment in the aviation sector is obtained by adding the SIC 51 (Air transport) and SIC 52.23 (Service activities incidental to air transport) data from the government's Annual Business Survey. The DfT say they will ensure that this error is not made again, and employment figures are not inflated artificially.
Click here to view full story...
Anger that Inspector’s decision on Lydd airport will not be publicised yet
Government inspector Ken Barton chaired the 7-month inquiry into Lydd Airport's expansion plans in 2011. This probably cost the tax payer up to £250,000. The decision has to be made by 14th March. However, it has been announced that this will not be made public until after ministers Eric Pickles and Justine Greening have made their decision. And there is no deadline by which they have to do so. There is speculation that they may not decide until next year, perhaps because the national aviation policy consultation starts by the end of this month, and this will have a bearing on whether expansion on Lydd is acceptable. There is local anger and frustration that the decision is being kept secret.
Click here to view full story...
Justine Greening confirms a 3rd Heathrow runway will not be in aviation capacity consultation
Talking to the BBC, Justine Greening has confirmed that she rules out a third runway at Heathrow which is "not the right answer". She also says "We are getting to the stage where there is a question mark over whether we've got the capacity to meet the country's needs. In the short term we've always been clear that we need to make the most of the capacity we do have. We need to use what we've got better and more effectively and we're looking at how we do that, but we also need to look ahead." And she says it's time to have a proper "fact based debate" about the future of airport capacity in Britain and in particular, the South East. Sadly Southend is going to be expected to bear more of the burden.
Click here to view full story...