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Latest News

   

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:

Discovery of oil leaks keeps Qantas A380s grounded

Date added: 8 November, 2010

Qantas is keeping its Airbus A380 aircraft grounded after investigations into a mid-air engine failure found oil leaks in  3 aircrafts’ turbines. One of the company’s Trent 900 engines exploded mid-flight last Thursday, forcing the Qantas aircraft carrying it to make an emergency landing in Singapore. Investigations on other areas of the engine are also continuing.   The EASA warned several months back that there was a potential problem. Airbus's shares are 10% down.

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London City Airport campaigners say Greenwich Council fail to hear aircraft noise

Date added: 8 November, 2010

"It would be funny if it were not so serious". Greenwich Council Planners are actually supporting expansion at London City Airport on the misleading premise that they believe jets to be quieter than propeller planes.   Greenwich believe jets are quieter, but this is contradicted by work done by the CAA.   Research has shown the new Embraer E series jets are considerably noisier than the old BAE RJ Avro 'whisper jets' that they are replacing.

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British Airways fined €104m for role in air cargo cartel

Date added: 8 November, 2010

BA was one of 11 airlines fined a total of €799m for rigging fuel and security surcharges over  6 years, spanning December 1999 to February 14. The EC decision leaves the carriers exposed to class-action damages claims from customers representing €6bn of cargo traffic. A 3 year  investigation by the EC found the  airlines started by fixing fuel surcharges and then "extended their co-operation by introducing a security surcharge".   (Telegraph)

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Continental Airlines scraps flights to New York from Bristol

Date added: 7 November, 2010

Continental's last flight from Bristol to New York took place on 7th November.  The service  has been daily for the  past 5 years.   Its cessation  is being blamed on rising taxes and the recession and they say the rise in APD will further cut the attractiveness of the flight.   APD increased from £45 to £60 on economy flights to New York, (15 -20% increase on an average fare) and business class passengers pay a tax rise from £90 to £120.

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BAA prices £325m bond to complete subordinated debt refinancing

Date added: 6 November, 2010

BAA (SH) plc, the holding company for BAA (SP) Ltd and its subsidiaries that own Heathrow and Stansted,  have announced that it has successfully placed a £325m bond issue to complete the refinancing of its existing debt facility. The sterling-denominated notes will have a fixed interest coupon of 7.125 %, at the tight end of guidance, and will mature in March 2017. The issue has been signifcantly oversubscribed, having initially been £250 million.

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£1bn Gatwick Airport revamp starts take-off including runway upgrade

Date added: 6 November, 2010

Gatwick is inviting tenders for the upgrade of the main runway, which forms a key part of the airport’s £1bn overhaul.   GIP expects to spend around £40m over the next 2 years completely rebuilding the runway system and fitting new ground lighting. More than 70,000 tonnes of blacktop needs to be laid to resurface the  runway and linking taxiways.  Construction work is due to start next autumn and is expected to be completed by the end of 2013.

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Race from Edinburgh to the Gherkin, in London. Train v Plane. Train won.

Date added: 6 November, 2010

The  race took place on Friday with the aim being to  get to London, to the Gherkin, for 2.45pm for a meeting.   And the two journalists racing had various work assignments to do en  route.  Seems the chap coming down on the train got to the Gherkin 10 minutes before the man on the plane to Heathrow.   There are page of blogs from each, recording their progress, difficulties and highs and lows.   Seems the train did very well in the contest ....

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Easyjet 8.6% passenger increase in October, 8% increase in September, 8.4% in August

Date added: 6 November, 2010

EASYJET recorded an 8.6% increase in passenger numbers during October, to a total of 4.58m. Load factor  rose by 1.4%, to 88.2%. There was an increase  of 8.1%   in its rolling 12-month passenger statistics, of 49.11m. EasyJet carried 4.8 million people in September – an increase of 8% on the same month in 2009 and enough to boost revenue per seat by 6%, thanks to surging demand for European beach holidays.

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Jet2 win court injunction against Blackpool airport so it has to stay open after 9pm

Date added: 5 November, 2010

Holiday flights were to have been diverted away from Blackpool Airport as a row with Jet2.com escalated. The airline had been told that all flights due to arrive after 9pm would have to find somewhere else to land. as staff could not be paid to stay late.   A high court decision has now reversed this.   The airport is due to lose £2.7m this year and could be ready to shed 85 jobs. It  was no longer prepared to provide ground staff for late night Jet2 services.

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Qantas says A380 engine failure may be “design issue”

Date added: 5 November, 2010

A faulty part or a design issue may have caused the explosion in an engine on a Qantas Airways Airbus A380, forcing it to make an emergency landing in Singapore.   The engine failure on Thursday, which scattered debris over an Indonesian island, marked the biggest incident to date for the world's largest passenger plane, in service only since 2007. It forced Qantas to ground its fleet for 24 - 48 hours for safety checks, and other airlines to recheck their own A380s.

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Ban-ki Moon: UN climate finance report demands global tax hike including aviation finance

Date added: 5 November, 2010

A UN committee has recommended that the world's governments introduce new taxes on carbon allowances and financial transactions to help raise the $100bn a year from 2020  pledged at Copenhagen to help poor countries cope with the effects of climate change. The report also claims that by 2020 $10bn could be generated from new levies on the shipping and aviation industries. But WWF says these cannot be achieved without decisive political action.

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Qantas A380 landing: Airlines were warned in August over engine safety

Date added: 4 November, 2010

Two airlines  - Qantas and Singapore Airways - grounded their fleets of Airbus A380 superjumbos following an emergency landing by a Qantas plane after one of its engines blew apart in mid-air.  It showered debris on the ground below. In August Europe's air safety watchdog (EASA)  issued an alert about abnormal wear on splines used to secure the turbines inside the British-made Rolls Royce engines used on the A380, but  experts said it was too early to tell if the two were connected.

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Charges for extras lift half year Ryanair profits by 17%

Date added: 3 November, 2010

Ryanair's profits rose by 17% to € 451.9 million ( £393.4million) in the 6 months to September 30, due to fare rises and charges for extras such as on-board drinks. Passenger numbers rose by 10% and fares increased 12% but they benefited as revenue from drinks, baggage fees and priority boarding jumped by more than 20%. Ryanair warned of ticket price rises of 5 - 10% in the next couple of years, and route cuts. It is cutting bases in France and N.Ireland.

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Airlines will work with government over new freight security measures

Date added: 3 November, 2010

Airlines have pledged to work with the UK Government to accommodate new security measures announced by Theresa May following the Yemeni plane terror plot. From today for a monoth the carrying of toner cartridges larger than 500g in passengers’ hand luggage on flights leaving the UK will be banned. Also the carriage of these cartridges by air cargo is banned into, via or from the UK unless they originate from a known shipper with DFT approval.

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Austria to introduce flight departure eco-tax – €8 for short haul €40 long haul

Date added: 2 November, 2010

Austria looks likely to follow its neighbour Germany and introduce a departure tax in the near future. The exact date has yet to be announced but it could be as early next year. Passengers departing from an airport in Austria will have to pay €8 for short-haul and €40 for long-haul flights. A UK business person travelling return London/Vienna will pay an extra €8. As in Germany, it is expected that the new tax won't be payable by transit passengers.(ABTN)

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Flying Is One of the Worst Things You Can Do for the Environment – So Why Do So Many Well-Intentioned Folks Do It?

Date added: 2 November, 2010

Flying is one of the most ecologically costly acts of individual consumption, one that requires the exploitation of large amounts of environmental resources. For those of us from the planet’s more privileged portions, acknowledgment of the issues should give serious pause before embracing the air travel that has become standard operating procedure. Many trips would be avoided if the only option was slower, more time-intensive, surface-level travel. (Alternet)

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CAA launches Development of Future Airspace Strategy consultation

Date added: 2 November, 2010

The CAA is drawing up its plans for Future Airspace Strategy for the UK up to 2030.   The draft plan is on  the CAA  website and is out to consultation until 7th February.   The consultation is primarily to get feedback from the industry, but all responses are accepted. The plan is about airspace policy and principles; it is not about detailed routes and flight paths.   But routes and flight paths in due course will be affected by the final strategy.

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Air Passenger Duty rises on 1st November

Date added: 2 November, 2010

APD rose on 1st November.   APD will now  generate an estimated £2.3 billion for the  Treasury each year.   The increase is only £1 per flight   (from £11 to £12) for short haul trips, such as domestic flights or to Europe.   The increase is £15 (from £45 to £60) for medium range flights of 2,000 to 4,000 miles.   The rise is £25 (from £50 to £75) for flights of 4,000 to 6,000 and an increase of £30 (from £55 to £85) for long haul flights of over 6,000 miles.

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Is climate science disinformation a crime against humanity?

Date added: 1 November, 2010

Deeply irresponsible corporate-sponsored - and well funded - programmes of disinformation about climate change have potentially harsh effects upon tens of millions of people.   Though some scepticm is legitimate, even if the issue is not settled, evidence suggests climate change is partly anthropogenic. Disinformation is extraordinarily morally reprehensible if it leads to non-action in reducing climate change's threat. Corporations have attempted to prevent measures that adversely affect their financial interests

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New research reveals sky-high noise levels from London City Airport – worse than living near Heathrow

Date added: 1 November, 2010

Research carried out by Fight the Flights   in alliance with UCL and London 21's Mapping For Change  has shown that some residents living under London City Airport flight paths are experiencing noise levels much higher than people under the Heathrow flight path in West London.    Residents found sound readings from 35 - 87 decibels (87 is worse than in Kew Gardens). Readings taken during the volcanic ash period in April prove the extent of the noise due to planes.Fight the Flights starts its legal challenge on 18th November.

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Manston (Kent) night flight plans grounded by Thanet Council – consultation delayed

Date added: 1 November, 2010

Plans for night flights at Manston have been put on hold. Following a meeting with senior Thanet council officials, Infratil has agreed to revise a proposal to allow planes to take off and land 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with an average of 8 aircraft movements every night,most in the so-called "shoulder" periods of 11pm-11.30pm and 6am-7am. A planned public consultation, due to start this month, will not take place until there are clarifications.

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UK emergency committee to discuss air cargo security

Date added: 1 November, 2010

The prime minister is due to chair a meeting of the government's emergency planning committee Cobra, as calls grow for a full review of airport security. Ministers and officials are expected to discuss tougher checks on freight, after a bomb was found on a US-bound cargo plane at East Midlands airport. Security checks on air cargo are less exacting than those on passengers, and the PETN explosive was not picked up by initial tests. (BBC)

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Bombs reveal major flaws in screening of international freight

Date added: 31 October, 2010

The bomb at East Midlands airport was missed initially. Security experts have said  the Yemeni bombing plot had taken advantage of known weaknesses in the way international cargo is screened. Not all cargo is screened. In 2008 only 3 - 4% of cargo on passenger planes was being screened worldwide.  Britain and other countries remain vulnerable to terrorists switching their focus to cargo planes.   Just a small amount of pentaerythritol tetranitrate, better know as PETN, could badly damage a plane.

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Birmingham Airport spreads its wings as “powerful driver of growth and jobs” … (Kehoe)

Date added: 31 October, 2010

Paul Kehoe continues to claim Birmingham Airport could be "London's new airport" and with HS2 cutting journey times from London, and a new runway extension, the airport will be booming.   He says the airport is  currently operating at around half  its current capacity and is a "vital yet underused piece in the National Strategic infrastructure." He hopes to get the 400m runway extension built by 2014 even involving moving the A45.   A lot of puff ....

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Southend Airport hotel given planning permission by Southend

Date added: 29 October, 2010

Southend Borough Council  has approved plans by Southend Airport for the development of a 129 bedroom hotel at the airport.   It will be on land adjacent to the Harp House Roundabout and will provide for (they hope) air passengers as well as  local businesses. It will have  3-star facilities and a separate 5-star executive floor with twelve suites.   Also  restaurant and bar areas and conference / meeting facilities - and a separate restaurant on the top floor

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Manston / Ramsgate residents rally on night flights at public meeting

Date added: 29 October, 2010

Residents against Infratil's plans for regular night flights at Manston airport made their anger felt at the 1st public meeting on the issue. The packed meeting gave people the chance to air their views. The application was made in September to Thanet council. The meeting was chaired by Ramsgate mayor David Green, and speakers were Kim Gibson of the Ramsgate Alliance of Residents' Associations and Susan Kennedy of the No to Night Flights campaign.

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CAA publishes 2009 air passenger survey – fewer poor people flew

Date added: 29 October, 2010

The CAA has published results from the 2009 Air Passenger Survey, which questioned over 200,000 departing air passengers about their travel patterns at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen, Prestwick,  Durham Tees Valley, Newcastle and Manchester airports. Data shows there was a higher proportion of lower income passengers amongst those now not flying. Heathrow only had 31.5% business passengers, and Gatwick 18.2%.

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PM rules out Thames Estuary airport plan

Date added: 27 October, 2010

The government has ruled out proposals to build a major airport in the Thames Estuary or Kent to increase flight capacity for London. The Prime Minister told the House of Commons the government had no plans to construct a new airport in the area. Mayor of London Boris Johnson has been considering plans for a new airport in Kent and the Thames Estuary, and wants to increase flight capacity around London without expanding Heathrow.

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BAA sees sharply reduced losses in first 9 months of 2010

Date added: 27 October, 2010

BAA has reported a significant reduction in losses up to September and passenger numbers down - 2.1% compared to the first 9 months of 2009. Pre-tax losses were £192.6m, down from £784.7m in the same period in 2009.   Revenue was up 4.4% at £1.55bn.   Passengers at Heathrow have recently been increasing slightly. Net retail income per passenger totalled £5.11, which was up from £4.64 in 2009 and a 10.1% increase.

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IATA: global air freight still growing September, but only just

Date added: 26 October, 2010

Global air freight traffic recorded a 14.8% year-on-year increase,  which is significantly weaker than the 19.0% rise recorded in August. Freight capacity increased by 11.9%.   European freight demand recorded an 11.1% increase. Seasonally adjusted figures show that, compared to August, global freight markets contracted by - 2.1%. September’s decline was larger than anticipated. Freight activity has fallen 6% since May’s post-crisis peak.

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IATA global September data: more passenger growth, freight growth slowed

Date added: 26 October, 2010

IATA released global figures for September. They show passenger numbers rose by 10.5% compared to last September, (the increase was 6.5% in August).   Passenger numbers may have been affected by Ramadan. Consumer and business confidence remains weak in many parts of the world. European carriers met an 8.4% increase in demand over the previous year with a 5.9% increase in capacity - and an  average load factor of 82.6%.   The region is now 2% above pre-recession levels.

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Philip Hammond speech talks of prosperous aviation without harming climate targets

Date added: 25 October, 2010

This was his first major speech on aviation, given to the AOA.   He talks about working to build a prosperous and sustainable aviation industry for the future but addressing the challenges of climate change. He said "No government with a commitment to carbon reduction targets can adopt a crude "predict and provide" approach to aviation capacity while aircraft CO2 remains an unresolved issue." He plans to publish a draft policy document for consultation early in 2012.  

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Behave and we’ll give you back your travel perks, BA tells crew

Date added: 25 October, 2010

BA has offered to restore basic travel concessions to cabin crew who went on strike earlier this year in a bid to end the long-running and costly dispute between the two parties. However, it says staff who took industrial action must show 3 years of good behaviour before their seniority is restored, and in the meantime they must wait at the back of the line for free or discounted flights. The offer is conditional on Unite dropping its legal action.

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Hammond: Runway rethink ruled out in aviation review but industry must decarbonise

Date added: 25 October, 2010

In Philip Hammond's first major speech on aviation, given to the AOA, he.said the  UK is to get its first significant aviation policy review in 7years, during 2012.   He spoke about working to build a prosperous and sustainable aviation industry but addressing climate change. He said aviation had to "decarbonise" and he hoped the review would lead to an understanding of how technological developments could eventually see aviation considered "a carbon good citizen".

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Anger over revised plans for airport on Hoo peninsula

Date added: 25 October, 2010

Campaigners against a new airport in Kent have expressed anger that  7 years after winning a fight against the plan it is now being reconsidered. A review by Boris Johnson is to look at the option of developing the proposed site at Cliffe.   Back in December 2003, the government decided to leave Cliffe out of its airport expansion plans. In summer it is an important breeding ground for birds such as avocets, marsh harriers, Mediterranean gulls and little terns.

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Mayor considers Hoo peninsula in Kent as Thames Estuary airport option

Date added: 24 October, 2010

A proposal to build a major airport on the Hoo peninsula is one of several options being considered by the Boris Johnson. He wants to increase flight capacity around London without expanding Heathrow, and has also been considering an airport in the Thames Estuary. A spokesperson for the Mayor said it was "vital that a location for extra runway capacity was found for London to remain one of the leading world cities." Bird strike would be a real problem.

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Space tourism to accelerate climate change due to soot

Date added: 24 October, 2010

Scientists predict that soot from commercial space flight will change global temperatures.   Virgin Galactic  is one of many companies pushing forward with commercial spaceflight  but researchers estimate that climate change caused by black carbon, also known as soot, emitted during a decade of commercial space flight - 1,000 private rocket launches a year   - would be comparable to that from current global aviation.  They produce more soot than ordinary planes.

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Court battle looms over high-speed rail link’s threat to Chilterns landscape

Date added: 24 October, 2010

Campaigners demand judicial review for planned fast route to Birmingham and the north that they say will mar the Chilterns and ruin wildlife havens. The project, which will cost more than £20bn, has been embraced by the coalition government. Protesters argue that the environmental impact as a whole will be negative, and the new link would use twice as much energy as the West Coast main line and x 3  the amount if the trains were to run at their maximum projected speed of 250mph

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Crocodile causes Congo plane crash with deaths of 20 people

Date added: 23 October, 2010

A Czech built twin-engine Let L-410 Turbolet passenger plane crashed into a house on approach to Bandundu Airport on August 25, killing the crew and 19 passengers. The flight had originated from Kinshasa. According to the inquiry report and the testimony of the only survivor, the crash happened because of a panic sparked by the escape of a crocodile hidden in a sports bag. The air crew and passengers rushed towards the cockpit, unbalancing the plane.

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Sale of 10% of airport operator BAA could cut Ferrovial’s debt

Date added: 23 October, 2010

Ferrovial plans to sell a 10% stake in BAA, some time in 2011, in a move that would let the infrastructure group slash its net debt by more than half. Ferrovial indirectly owns 55.9% of BAA. Britannia Airport Partners, managed by Canada's Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec, owns 26.5% and Singapore's biggest sovereign wealth fund GIC holds 17.6%. It would take Ferrovial's stake in BAA to below 50% and could earn up to €200m for 10%. (Scotsman)

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Airbus chief calls subsidy row an ‘absurdity’ – both had state aid

Date added: 22 October, 2010

The head of Airbus has lashed out at the "absurdity" of the prolonged aircraft subsidy row between his company and Boeing, saying both sides had taken state aid and the only winners were likely to be their emerging rivals in China and Russia making fuel efficient jets. In an unusually frank assessment of the 6-year WTO battle between the US and EU over the funding of their respective aircraft-makers, the WTO had, unsurprisingly, found "both are guilty".

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New fears on ‘Boris Island’ airport

Date added: 22 October, 2010

The coalition Government's stance on a Thames Estuary airport off Sheppey has been questioned by a Swale councillor. He asked the Swale Council leader whether the failure of David Cameron to dismiss the proposal meant it might be taken more seriously. This came after the issue was raised during a BBC interview with Mr Cameron at the Conservative Party conference. Mr Cameron had indicated he was happy for a series of feasibility reports to have been done.

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European Commission breaks taboo on raising its own resources

Date added: 21 October, 2010

The European Commission has proposed a list of potential methods to enable the EU to raise its own financial resources in future, citing the need to end current wrangling over member state contributions to the Brussels budget. Some of the suggestions are a share of profits from auctioned greenhouse gas emission allowances, an EU charge related to air transport, an EU energy tax or an EU corporate income tax. These could reduce pressure on national coffers.

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New ED Aviation Platform to address challenges for the European aviation sector

Date added: 21 October, 2010

European Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas, responsible for of transport, has met top-level representatives of the European aviation sector to discuss future challenges for aviation in Europe at the first-ever meeting of the Aviation Platform. This has been set up to give strategic advice to the Vice President in order to "establish the basis for a sustainable future for air transport and a competitive future for the European aviation industry" ...

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Passenger numbers drop at Gatwick Airport

Date added: 21 October, 2010

Gatwick has announced a drop of 2.6% in passenger numbers during September due to the continuing effects of the economic downturn and lower numbers of leisure travellers. Long-haul travel to destinations other than North America was the only sector to see any increase in passengers, recording growth of 7.1%. Passengers going to Ireland decreased by more than 10%, while travellers on services to north Atlantic destinations fell by just over 1%.

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NBAA: Large-cabin aircraft to drive business aviation industry recovery

Date added: 21 October, 2010

The business aviation industry is predicted to shake off the effects of the recession within 2 years and begin a prolonged period of expansion, according to the latest 10-year industry forecast released at the NBAA business aviation convention by aerospace supplier Honeywell.   It predicts  delivery of around 11,000 new business jets from 2010 to 2020, in excess of $225 billion. This is about a 10% above the 10 year forecast made in 2009. There would be around 675 new planes in 2010 and under 700 in 2011.

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ABTA 2010 Consumer Trends survey – public not so confused about flying’s carbon emissions

Date added: 20 October, 2010

A survey by ABTA reveals the public - in response to their questionnaire - have poor understanding of the actual climate effect of the aviation industry. UK aviation actually produces around 6.3% of UK CO2 emissions, and 13% of UK climate change effect. Globally aviation produces around 4.9% of climate change effect. Air travel can make up a high proportion of any one individual's carbon footprint if they fly a lot. ABTA rather ignores all this.

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Stobart shares slide on profit warning

Date added: 20 October, 2010

Part of the Stobart group, Stobart Air, owns Southend airport. The group has announced it had "slightly reduced" its full-year profit forecast as its railway engineering unit suffers from a dramatic fall in spending by the government-owned Network Rail. It was "cautious that 2011 may see volumes affected by the increase in VAT [from 17.5% to 20% in January] and the government spending review".

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Ryanair re-allocates winter capacity; Spain now #1 market with 26% growth; France and UK suffer 20% cuts in flights

Date added: 20 October, 2010

Last week’s announcement by Ryanair that it would stop basing aircraft and crews in Marseille from next January (and thus axe 13 routes) is just another example of the airline’s approach to network development. Routes, bases and whole country markets will be closed if the airline perceives that there are better opportunities for profit elsewhere. In Feb 2011 there will be 19% less Ryanair flights in the UK than in Feb 2010, which is about 377 fewer.

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‘No noise assurances’ from airport over Airbus A380 using Gatwick

Date added: 20 October, 2010

GACC is urging caution after Gatwick Airport was granted  permission to operate the Airbus A380 superjumbo. Gatwick has  already invested £43m to build  6 new stands after Crawley Borough Council removed restrictions preventing the giant aircraft from landing unless in an emergency.   But GACC  has expressed concern about the potential increase in noise and disturbance to local residents. Gatwick Airport Limited must introduce a vortex compensation scheme.

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Residents welcome Assembly Environment Committee decision to defer Belfast City passenger cap move

Date added: 19 October, 2010

Local residents are delighted that the Assembly’s Environment Committee is to tell the Environment Minister (Edwin Poots) to defer a decision on removing a crucial noise regulation governing George Best Airport. The Committee wants the proposal to be considered either after or as part of the forthcoming public inquiry on the airport’s controversial runway extension plan. Removal of the passenger cap would lead to significant expansion by stealth of the airport.

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Boeing to test China jatropha biofuel in Chinese airliner in summer 2011

Date added: 19 October, 2010

Boeing, in cooperation with Air China and others, plans to test a commercial-jet biofuel in China produced from locally grown jatropha by the middle of 2011-partly to bolster China’s potential as a biofuel provider. The China demonstration flight, expected to be conducted by May or June next year, would be Boeing’s 6th such demonstration flight using a biofuel. Fuel will be supplied by PetroChina which grows jatropha in southern China for aviation use.

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Gatwick cleared for A380 superjumbo flights

Date added: 19 October, 2010

Gatwick has been granted planning permission to operate the world's largest commercial airliner, the 555-seat Airbus A380 superjumbo. BA and Virgin Atlantic, which operate from Gatwick, have both ordered the plane. Previously, Heathrow, Stansted & Manchester were the only UK airports to regularly accommodate it. Gatwick has spent £43m preparing for the A380, with 2 of its 6 new large aircraft stands able to accommodate it. (BBC)

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Newcastle Airport given Carbon Trust award for “being green!

Date added: 18 October, 2010

Yet another airport award for being "green". The Carbon Trust, in its wisdom, has seen fit to award Newcastle for cutting down a bit on the amount of energy used in the airport itself. Great, and well done to Newcastle. But the "elephant in the room" with airports is the number of planes that the airport encourages to fly in and out of them. The planes have a massive carbon footprint, which these greenwash awards conveniently ignore. Spin. Spin.

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Two UPS pilots killed as freighter crashes near Dubai

Date added: 18 October, 2010

Crew reported radio problems and smoke in the cockpit of the B747-400 freighter shortly before the crash. The cause was not known at the time, but is now known to be a fire caused by lithium batteries. The 2 US pilots had reported problems and were attempting to return to Dubai’s main airport shortly after taking off. The aircraft crashed in an unpopulated area 50 minutes from departure. Non-rechargeable and rechargeable lithium batteries are flammable. (IFW)

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PHILIP HAMMOND BACKS TRAINS OVER PLANES

Date added: 17 October, 2010

High-speed trains would replace domestic flights from Heathrow to Manchester and short-haul flights to the Continent under the new vision from Transport Secretary Philip Hammond. Speaking ahead of this week’s comprehensive spending review, he said the decision not to go ahead with a 3rd runway at Heathrow meant a new £33 billion high-speed railway, called HS2, was necessary to alleviate the pressure on Britain’s overcrowded airspace. He believes he can maintain the UK’s international connectivity without expanding Heathrow.

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Domestic flights cut by a quarter

Date added: 16 October, 2010

The number of domestic flights in Britain has fallen by a quarter in the past  5 years, according to the latest figures from the CAA. Fewer than 9.6 million air passengers boarded a domestic service in the first  6 months of this year, compared with more than 12.6 million during the first half of 2005. This week, Flybe became the latest airline to scrap a domestic service -  one between Bournemouth and Manchester.   Surely a rise of £7 per flight between 2006 and 2010 cannot be the cause!

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Possibility of extending Aberdeen airport runway due to BAA sale?

Date added: 15 October, 2010

An aviation travel analyst has speculated that if BAA is forced to sell either Glasgow or Edinburgh airport, it will have money available to build a runway extension at Aberdeen. That would enable the runway extension of nearly 1,000ft, which was given the all-clear by city councillors nearly four years ago, to go ahead. Meanwhile BAA said it was working out options and "what impact this will have on all of our other airports." (Press & Journal)

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TCN airspace changes postponed by NATS following drop in flights

Date added: 14 October, 2010

NATS has postponed plans for further consultation over changes to airspace north of London - Terminal Control North. The proposals will be incorporated into a wider review of airspace over southern England. The downturn in air traffic levels since the 2008 TCN consultation means there is less urgency on capacity grounds. Current forecasts show that air traffic levels are not expected to return to the peak levels of 2007 until at least 2013/14. (NATS)

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BAA told to sell one of its two main Scots airports

Date added: 14 October, 2010

Glasgow or Edinburgh airport could soon be put up for sale after the Court of Appeal in London decided that BAA should dispose of one of Scotland’s 2 main airports. With one operator owning two airports within an hour’s drive of each other there has been little incentive for them to introduce competition on routes, tickets or charges. Business leaders are split over which would provide a better return on investment as BAA attempts to cut a £10 billion debt.

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Gatwick Airport unveils £53m station revamp

Date added: 14 October, 2010

Network Rail said the station was the busiest airport station in the UK last year, and the scheme would provide improvements for passengers. It involves creating a new platform and refurbishing the concourse, as well as upgrading the track and signalling. Work will start next autumn and is expected to be completed by the end of 2013. Network Rail (= the taypayer) will pay £44.9 million towards the upgrade, and Gatwick Airport £7.9 million.

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London City Airport investor may be seeking an exit

Date added: 14 October, 2010

Infrastructure fund manager Highstar Capital is looking to divest its 25% stake in London City Airport, two people familiar with the matter said, a sale that could fetch up to £200 million. New York-based Highstar, which bought its stake from GIP in 2008, is now looking for an exit and has approached infrastructure and pension funds.  GIP, which owns 75 % of the airport, has taken important steps to increase capacity and improve profits, but Highstar may be focussed on the growth prospects which will be tested by the forthcoming legal challenge.

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MIT study finds aircraft emissions at cruise altitude contribute to 8,000 premature deaths per year worldwide

Date added: 14 October, 2010

The deaths can be attributed to the effects of oxides of nitrogen and sulphur (NOx and SOx) at cruise altitude. Most of these are caused by aircraft over North America and Europe but prevailing winds take them eastwards, where they can form a deadly mix with ammonia released from farming. Nearly half the total premature deaths are in India and China. Till now regulation has only applied to such emissions up to the 3,000-feet level, the take-off and landing cycle.

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Court of Appeal tells BAA to sell Stansted and a Scottish airport

Date added: 14 October, 2010

BAA has lost the latest round of a long-running legal saga with the competition authorities over its dominance of the UK's airports. It will now be forced to sell Stansted, and either Edinburgh or Glasgow airports. BAA lost a hearing in the Court of Appeal brought by the Competition Commission. Earlier in the year BAA had argued that the Competition Appeals Tribunal ruling has been biased as one member of the committee had advised Manchester Airport's pension fund.

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SSE says BAA should accept Appeal Court victory and sell Stansted

Date added: 13 October, 2010

Stop Stansted Expansion has called on BAA to accept today’s ruling by Lord Justice Maurice Kay in the Court of Appeal and sell Stansted Airport without further delay. SSE urge BAA to accept the Court’s decision and relinquish control of Stansted without any more delaying tactics, such as an appeal to the Supreme Court as creating further uncertainty would not be in the interests of either the local community or the airport’s employees.

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Southend Airport announce 5-year deal with bankrupt Aer Arann

Date added: 13 October, 2010

Southend Airport says they have hopes for a new deal secured with a low cost airline. The 5 year contract with Aer Arann will create a number of routes between Southend and Ireland. The details of the routes were being finalised but an announcement would be made shortly. The airline hopes it will carry 300,000 passengers starting in March. Aer Aran entered bankruptcy protection in August after suffering losses of 18m euros since 2008. (BBC)

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UN Assembly (ICAO) fails to deliver on cutting aviation’s carbon emissions

Date added: 12 October, 2010

The ICAO assembly, held every 3 years, has ended - and failed to deliver on the 3 counts of more ambitious goals; developing a framework for market-based measures (deferred to 2013), and looking at ways to provide assistance to developing countries. They have agreed to strive towards the achievement of no net increase in international aviation emissions from 2020 (a goal put forward by industry) in a text that is littered with reservations from key countries. In that period, emissions are set to grow by over 40%. (AEF)

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Living under a flight path ‘can increase your risk of heart attack’

Date added: 12 October, 2010

Living under a flight path increases the chances of a heart attack, a study from Bern University suggests. It says the constant noise from roaring aircraft engines increases the risk by at least 30% probably by raising stress levels, disrupting sleep and triggering high blood pressure. This is a significant risk for the 240,000 Britons who, according to the EU, endue an average daily noise of 60 decibels from jets – equivalent of a crowded, noisy bar. (Mail)

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EU claims victory in airline emissions wrangle

Date added: 12 October, 2010

A new global aviation deal will weaken the hand of US airlines to resist inclusion in the EU ETS, the European Union’s transport chief Siim Kallas, has said. This is a diplomatic victory in a long-running dispute between the EU and US over how to curb airline GHG emissions. In 2012 all airlines that fly to Europe will be included and have to pay for emissions. A group of US airlines launched a legal challenge to the move in the UK last December. (FT)

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Virgin Galactic’s spaceship makes solo flight but without rocket engine

Date added: 12 October, 2010

Virgin Galactic's suborbital spaceship, Enterprise, has made its first solo test flight, in California. The spaceship was carried to an altitude of 45,000ft by a plane and then dropped to glide back to the Mojave Air and Space Port. In due course tests on Enterprise's rocket engine will start. Their plan is to take 6 passengers at a time - those prepared to pay $200,000 ( £126,000) on short hops above the atmosphere. Perhaps 500 flights per year.

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IATA Applauds ICAO Agreement on Aviation and Climate Change. – Industry Remains Committed to More Ambitious Goals –

Date added: 9 October, 2010

ICAO has been meeting in Montreal at its 37th Assembly of 190 states. They have agreed aspirational goals to stabilize emissions. ICAO agreed on: improving fuel efficiency by 2% annually to 2050; Striving to achieve a collective medium-term aspirational goal of capping aviation’s carbon emissions from 2020; A global CO2 standard for aircraft engines with a target date of 2013. IATA has a goal 1.5% improvement in fuel efficiency to 2020, and the difference in 0.5% is due to improvements to be made to air traffic control.

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China digs in on rich-poor climate pact divide

Date added: 8 October, 2010

China said on Thursday it will not bow to pressure to rethink a key climate change treaty and was preparing to cope with a "gap" without climate targets after the Kyoto treaty ends in 2012 if rich nations fail to add new greenhouse gas goals in time. Envoys from 177 governments are holding week-long talks in Tianjin on the shape of a successor pact to the Kyoto Protocol. China will not agree to make their voluntary emissions cuts legally binding.

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Thomas Cook and Co-operative Group create largest travel retail chain in UK

Date added: 8 October, 2010

Thomas Cook and the Co-operative Group are to merge, resulting in the loss of hundreds of jobs. This will create the largest retail travel network of some 1204 stores and the UK’s 2nd largest foreign exchange business. The separate branding will remain, however, although 70 outlets of Thomas Cook subsidiary Going Places will be renamed under the Co-operative brand. The move followed a tough trading year for Thomas Cook. (TravelMole)

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Farmer forced to burn £8,000 worth of crops after ‘aeroplane scatters human waste across 25 acres of land’ near Kettering

Date added: 8 October, 2010

A farmer was ordered to burn £8,000 worth of crops after human waste was found strewn across his land. He found faeces and sanitary towels dumped in his fields when he went to tend to his livestock. He believes it may have fallen from an aeroplane as the area in under flightpaths. An investigation by the CAA has now been launched using radar records, though it may be hard to identify which plane might be responsible. More info on otehr recent falls from planes.

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Leading UK country markets show significant changes this summer as overall international traffic shows no growth

Date added: 7 October, 2010

While overall demand for air travel to, from and within the UK is still on a slight downward trend and likely to continue decreasing, UK airports still handle more passengers than any other country in Europe. Passenger numbers may have fallen 2 years running for the 1st time in over 30 years (and will probably fall for 2010) but UK airports still saw over 218 million passenger movements in 2009, more than in Spain (187 million), Germany (182 million), France (140 million) and Italy (130 million.

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Phillip Hammond says aviation has grown because it has been lightly taxed

Date added: 7 October, 2010

Speaking at a fringe event at the Conservative party conference Hammond said aviation had grown because it had been "lightly taxed" and it had to be prepared to pay its environmental costs. Also "I want to see aviation come in from the cold and engage with the environmental agenda in the same way other transport sectors have done. I am not anti-aviation or anti-flying, but I do think aviation should pay its way." APD increases would go ahead.

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New Manston night flights blog spot launched

Date added: 6 October, 2010

The campaigners opposing any increase in night flights at Manston (Kent International) have set up a new blogspot, called No Night Flights. The blogspot is aiming to collect together all the key questions and issues about the proposed changes, and provide answers and information. For example, on the consultation by TDC, on the details of the proposed flights, on the old and the new S 106 agreements, and on noise and pollution.

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£ millions written off as ousted Glasgow Airport Rail Link firms move back

Date added: 6 October, 2010

Businesses which were paid millions of pounds to relocate in order to make way for the Glasgow Airport Rail Link - cancelled in 2009 - are being offered the land back at a fraction of the original cost paid by taxpayers. Transport Scotland has confirmed it is in negotiations with a number of businesses whose properties were obtained using compulsory purchase powers and now have first right of refusal to buy back the land. (Herald)

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Passenger boost propels BA shares higher – September traffic very slightly up

Date added: 6 October, 2010

Shares in BA rose 6% to their highest closing price in 2 years as it reported some of its strongest passenger numbers since 2008. Overall passenger traffic as measured by RPK (the number of fare-paying passengers multiplied by the distances they fly) rose 1.3% in September compared with a year earlier. There was a 4.3% increase in BA’s profitable 1st and business class traffic, which make up about 13% of all passengers but more than 40% of revenues.

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Gatwick’s Wingate vows end to playing `Second Child’ to Heathrow

Date added: 6 October, 2010

Gatwick airport plans to cut fees, improve rail links and lure long-haul carriers in a bid to boost the annual passenger count as much as 40% and better compete with Heathrow. Infrastructure improvements and more competitive rates for airlines could help lift traffic at Gatwick to as many as 45 million people/year. GIP aims to establish Gatwick as a London gateway for services that don’t require onward links, distinguishing it from Heathrow.(Bloomberg)

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