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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 |
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Latest news stories:
Belfast City residents appalled by failure to enforce noise regulations
The residents’ group, Belfast City Airport Watch, has expressed amazement at the failure of the Planning Service to enforce noise regulations at George Best Belfast City Airport. Their comments came after one of the most senior officials in the DOE’s Planning Service this morning admitted to the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Environment Committee that the agency was not enforcing two key conditions of the planning agreement between the airport and the DOE.
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BAA sells Naples airport for £130m
BAA has sold its stake in Naples airport for €150m ( £130m) as part of its plan to focus investment on Heathrow and its other UK airports. BAA as struck the deal for its 65% holding with F2i SGR, an Italian infrastructure fund. The deal requires clearance from Italian regulators. BAA over the past 4 years has soldAustralian interests, Budapest airport, World Duty Free, the Airport Property Partnership, and Gatwick airport. And may have to sell Stansted.
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Aircraft fuel use to increase 3% a year for years to come – says ICAO – while they hope for 2% efficiency savings
Global aircraft fuel consumption is expected to increase at a rate of 3 - 3.5% annually in years to come, according to the latest annual environmental report of ICAO. Passenger traffic is expected to grow at an average rate of 4.8% per year through to 2036. The number of people exposed to a day-night average sound level of 55, currently 21 million, will increase between 0.7 - 1.6% per year. Aircraft emissions of NOx are predicted to rise 2.4 - 3.5% annually. (ENDS)
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Herne Bay Matters blogs on the Manston night flights increase
Herne Bay residents are worried about the increase in night noise that the planned increase in night flights at Manston would cause. Infratil want to use a "noise quota system", Quota Count,which is a bit like calorie counting, but for noise. Every plane has Quota Count number. These are added up, and the airport must not exceed its QC permitted total. The standard definition of "night" for the aviation industry is 2300 hours to 0700 hours - but Manston want their night to be 11.30pm to 6am with planes at "shoulder" periods.
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Rushmoor Borough Council U-turn on Farnborough airport flights cap
Rushmoor had wanted to remove a clause limiting how many flights could take off annually from Farnborough. Due to effective campaigning by local residents, Rushmoor had to change its mind, and take account of the noise nuisance suffered. The government decision on whether to allow TAG Farnborough's appeal to increase flights from 28,000 to 50,000 is expected some time in 2011. Meanwhile Rushmoor does not know which flight figure to include in its plans.
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Airbus and BA form consortium with Cranfield to explore feasibility of offshore algae for jet fuel production
Airbus and BA are to take part in a project set to explore how algae can be harvested in ocean-based facilities to produce jet fuel in commercial quantities. The SURF consortium has been set along with Rolls-Royce, Finnair, Gatwick Airport and IATA. The university already has a pilot facility on campus that is growing and processing algae for biofuels and hopes to produce the first commercial quantities of biomass for biofuels within 3 years. (GreenAir)
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IATA’s iFlex programme looks to reduce fuel burn by 2% on long-haul flights by shortening routes
IATA has launched its iFlex programme in a bid to overcome the constraints imposed by traditional fixed airspace structures by using flexible flight planning in low-density airspace. They are saying they hope to cut a few minutes off a flight and perhaps save 1 - 2% of CO2 emissions. They want to get away from fixed airways and utilize alternative plans that can adapt to the changing nature of upper wind patterns,
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Lydd Airport inquiry may cost £150,000
Up to £150,000 could be spent by Shepway Council on a public inquiry into plans to expand Lydd Airport. Councillors are due to meet to decide if funds can be moved from other budget areas to pay for legal advice, staff costs and consultants. The plans were passed by the Tory-run council in March but the Government Office for the South East decided a public inquiry must be held. The inquiry is due to start on 15 February and sit for 16 days. (BBC)
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Bristol campaigners explore options for airport decision challenge
Stop Bristol Airport Expansion is taking legal advice on how to challenge the government's decision not to call in Bristol Airport's expansion plans. They criticised the refusal by the Government Office for the South West to refer the scheme as "misguided". The airport is concluding a section 106 agreement before bringing forward the scheme. It includes car parking, aircraft stands and a terminal extension. The airport assumes work could begin next year.
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Plans to allow night flights from Manston Airport (Kent) received by Thanet council
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Dubai plans for 48% rise in air cargo traffic – already almost 2 million tonnes per year
Freight volumes at Dubai and the new Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum airports could rise by 48% over the next 5 years, it has been claimed. In its latest traffic forecast, Dubai Airports said cargo tonnage, which totalled 1.9 million in 2009, would exceed 3 million tonnes by the end of 2015. By comparison, Heathrow handled 1,277,650 tonnes of cargo in 2009, East Midlands airport 255,121 tonnes and all UK airports together handled 2,047,861 tonnes. (IFW)
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French government moves towards privatising regional airports
The French government is poised to begin opening-up the capital of the companies operating 4 of the country’s biggest regional airports – Lyon, Nice, Toulouse and Bordeaux – in which the state holds a 60% controlling stake. The other shareholders in these airports are local authorities (around 15%) and the public sector-controlled Chambers of Commerce (25%). It highlights a more pragmatic outlook on the part of the French authorities. (IFW)
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UK emissions from shipping six times higher than thought
A study by Manchester university says that though currently UK shipping emissions are calculated by using international bunker fuel sales – or the amount of fuel purchased at UK ports - it would be more accurate to measure the CO2 actually released by commercial ships involved with UK trade. Doing this, the UK’s emissions from shipping would rise from around 7 megatonnes (Mt) of CO2 in 2006 to 31-42 MtCO2 on the basis of goods exported and imported.
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New analysis explodes myths about tourism, air travel and poor people
A new study by Airport Watch member, Jeremy Birch, shows just how much of our balance of payments deficit is due to well-off people holidaying abroad and how equalising aviation with other taxes would help both our economy and poorer people. The best off 10% of households account for 38% of the deficit on tourism. Socio-economic classes D/E account for 33% of the population but only 10% of air travel. Low air fares have not ‘democratised’ air travel.
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Southend gets award obtaining planning permission for a runway extension without a public enquiry
Just that. Amazing. Not a joke. "This achievement was deemed by the judges to have fundamental and long lasting effects on air transport in the region, which would greatly enhance the airport's business and result in increased services for the community when it is completed in 2011."
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Ed Miliband victory raises hopes of all-party agreement on runway ban
The election of Ed Miliband as the new leader of the Labour party has been welcomed by Stop Stansted Expansion in view of his strong environmental credentials and stated opposition to new runways at Heathrow and Stansted. SSE is actively pressing the Coalition Government for a moratorium on a second runway at Stansted and, in parallel, is seeking to persuade Labour politicians to abandon their previous policy of supporting airport expansion. (SSE)
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GIP eyes sale of stake in Gatwick airport
Global Infrastructure Partners is in talks to sell part of its shareholding in the airport to an unidentified investor. GIP is apparently holding negotiations to offload a minority stake to a global institutional investment group. The stake up for sale is similar in size to the 12% stake purchased by South Korea's national pension fund for just under £100m. The acquirer may be a sovereign wealth fund from Asia or the Middle East. (Telegraph)
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Obsession with growth is asset stripping the planet
It used to be the biggest question, but now it seems to be the forgotten question of the environment movement: can economic growth continue indefinitely? A 3-day conference in Lyon has been debating the idea of a "sustainable planet" - how humanity can provide for our needs now, in the present generation, without ruining the prospects of the generations of the future. Climate change concern has almost eclipsed concern about sustainability.
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Climate risks greater for long distance migratory birds
Birds embarking on long distance migrations are more vulnerable to shifts in the climate than ones making shorter journeys, a study in the Proceedings of the Royal Society suggests. Scientists say the increasingly early arrival of spring at breeding sites in Europe makes it harder for the birds to attract a mate or find food if they arrive after the optimum time. The researchers warn the "increasing ecological mismatch" can lead to a decline in bird populations.
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BA’s Willie Walsh to head London Chamber of Commerce
Willie Walsh has been named as president of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). It hopes Walsh, who will serve a 2-year term, can raise the profile of the lobbying organisation which represents London businesses both large and small. He replaces Stephen Greene, executive chairman of property investment firm Rankvale, in the LCCI role.
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South African flight using Sasol coal to liquid synthetic fuel
Sasol has provided fuel, from a coal to liquids process, for "the world's first jet flight using fully synthetic fuel". It said a passenger aircraft using its own-developed and internationally approved fuel made the flight from Gauteng to Cape Town. However, the carbon emissions from its manufacture are very high, and Sasol is aware is can only be viable if there is effective carbon capture and storage. CTL is very unlikely to be a helpful strategy for the industry.
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UN urges aviation sector to slash carbon emissions
UN climate chief Christiana Figueres has urged the air transport industry to press on with curbs on emissions, underlining that it held "critical keys" to tackling global warming. IATA has set targets of 1.5% a year increases in fuel efficiency by 2020, carbon neutral growth thereafter and a 50% cut in carbon emissions by 2050 compared to 1990 levels. Worryingly this is encouraging more use of biofuels for aviation - for the supposed "carbon neutral" growth.
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Stansted runway ramblers to highlight airport blight on Sunday 26th Sept 2010
SSE is organising the 9th runway ramble, to be held on Sunday 26th. It aims to highlight the blight which lingers over the countryside in the wake of the recently withdrawn plans to construct a 2nd runway at Stansted - and remind people that the battle for the community’s future needs to be enshrined in a lasting agreement by the main political parties so future generations do not have to go through yet another war with the airport to safeguard the area.
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IATA says global airlines show improved profitability, and 11% growth in 2010
IATA says total global aviation industry profits will jump to $8.9 billion in 2010 on revenues of $560 billion, more than the previous forecast in June of $2.5 billion. Rapidly improving demand has pushed traffic 3-4% above the pre-crisis levels of early 2008. Demand in 2010 is expected to grow by 11%. Europe is the only region to lose money with an expected loss of $1.3 billion. Profit will fall to $5.3 billion in 2011 wityh growth of 5%. (IATA)
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“It’s already clear that the climate talks in December will go nowhere – so what do we do?” asks Monbiot
George Monbiot writes about the failure of any climate international climate talks, and the failure of any current mechanisms to cut carbon emissions. This year has been one of the hottest ever, equal to 1998 which had a strong El Nino. The EU ETS has been a dismal failure, with the recession enabling companies to store up carbon credits for more cheap emissions. The UK's real carbon emissions have grown rather then decreased. Highly recommended reading.
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Flybe reports continued profits despite recession and hopes to increase routes
Regional airline Flybe, based at Exeter, has reported £5.7m annual profits for the year ending March 2010. It just broke even the previous year. Underlying profits - which ignore exceptional gains and losses - fell from £12.8m to £6.8m in the year to March. Passenger numbers remained unchanged. The company specialises in short-hop flights, using smaller aircraft than its rivals. It now wants to increase the number of flights from Scotland to Europe.
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Kent International Airport boss Charles Buchanan to release night-flight plans
Details of how many night flights bosses at Manston airport want will be available soon. He declined to reveal what Quota Count – the method by which planes are categorised by the noise they make – Infratil wanted. A 747 is equivalent to 4 QC. Steve Higgins, a member of the public who watched the meeting, claimed to have a document showing the airport's owners Infratil wanted 1,995 QC – equivalent to around 500 night flights.
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BA plans major transatlantic push at London City Airport
BA plans to expand its transatlantic flight routes from London City airport perhaps to to Boston, Washington or Chicago. Walsh said the BA direct route from London City to New York - launched Sept '09 - had been "hugely successful". BA wants to order more Airbus A318 planes, which have to be modified to cater for the short runway. Walsh said: "we can put more flights on at peak times which we couldn't do at Heathrow because of capacity". (Standard)
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Globally August was the 3rd warmest ever; January to August tied with 1998 as the hottest
The combined global land and ocean surface temperature for August 2010 was the 3rd warmest on record at 16.2 °C, which is 0.60 °C above the 20th century average of 15.6 °C. August 1998 is the warmest August on record and 2009 is the 2nd warmest. The worldwide land surface temperature was 0.90 °C above the 20th century average — the 2nd warmest August on record, behind 1998. The worldwide ocean surface temperature tied with 1997 as the 6th warmest August on record.
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Birmingham Airport runway extension scheme may get the funding it needs
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Bristol Airport £150m expansion plans given the go-ahead by government
The government has decided not to intervene in the planning process and not to call in the application for airport expansion. North Somerset Council approved the expansion scheme, subject to 70 conditions, in May. Eric Pickles had the right to a final say on the development, as some of the site is on green belt but it was announced on 17th that he would not exercise his option to call a public inquiry into the plans. Building work could begin next year.
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Auf Wiedersehen jet: London to Frankfurt direct by train by 2013 in 4 – 5 hours?
After Paris and Brussels, a direct high-speed rail service to Germany is expected to run from Dec 2013. A German high-speed train will come to St Pancras for the first time on 19th October on a dry run for a direct rail service between London and Frankfurt and tunnel safety tests. Rail experts expect it to open up Britain to a new market for rail travel and put downward pressure on Eurostar fares, and be a real challenge to business aviation.
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Rail boss predicts demise of domestic air travel
Domestic air travel could become "the choice of the minority" with some cities not being linked by air at all, says the chairman of the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) Edward Welsh. ATOC released new figures indicating Brits travelling from city to city are becoming more likely to take the train instead of flying. Much of the increase is due to offers on cheap rail tickets. Market share of rail on many routes is 20 - 30% more than in 2008.
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Heathrow powers down to win Carbon Trust award (!!?)
Heathrow has been awarded the Carbon Trust Standard after saving enough energy over the last 3 years to power more than 6,300 homes for a year. The airport apparently improved its carbon efficiency by nearly 12% despite turnover growth of 31%. It has done things like smart operation of lifts, escalators and baggage conveyors. "This is another good example of how Heathrow is striving to reduce its impact on the environment". (sic) Unbelievable drivel ...
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Activists win historic ruling on ‘people’s law on the environment’
Activists are delighted about a ruling by UN Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee that the UK's legal system must make it easier for individuals and NGOs to protect the environment. Under the Aarhus Convention, signed by the UK in 1998, people should not be denied environmental justice because of the unreasonable financial risks of bringing a case to court. At present in the UK, due to fear of costs, many environmental decisions were not being challenged.
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Mayor Boris Johnson to review support for London City Airport expansion
At the London Assembly Mayors' Question Time Boris Johnson stated that 'in retrospect he realises that his decision to support the flight expansion at London City Airport needs reviewing'. He went on to say he felt very anxious about the impact of extra flights over London and that the 'consequences of the expansion had been unexpected and we need to look at the impact of aviation over huge areas of East London'. (Fight the Flights)
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Aviation industry clutches at straws in London Plan hearing
AEF was represented at the ‘Examination in Public’ of the London Plan at City Hall on 10th September. The London Plan includes opposition to the a new runway at Heathrow.. AEF and others want reasons for opposing Heathrow expansion – particularly noise and air pollution – to be retained as explicit statements in the Plan, so it is policy even after the life of the current parliament. They want it made clear that the Plan opposes any new runways around London. (AEF)
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EU emissions trading scheme on course to make only tiny savings, says Sandbag report
The entire 5-year period of the EU ETS that ends in 2012 is set to deliver carbon savings of less than 0.33% of total emissions. The analysis by emissions trading campaign group Sandbag predicts that only 32m tonnes of pollution permits will need to be surrendered to meet the cap on CO2 emissions – out of the 1.9bn tonnes of carbon emissions covered by the ETS each year. This is due to economic crisis driving down industrial activity while caps remain high.
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Lydd: LAAG welcomes Extension to European Habitat Network at Dungeness
Lydd Airport Action Group has welcomed the decision by Natural England to recommend an extension to the existing Dungeness to Pett Level SPA and to designate a new Ramsar site to protect wetland habitats and species. There will now be 3 European designations in the immediate vicinity of London Ashford Airport (Lydd Airport). The sites are immediately adjacent to the airport, make airport expansion even more undesirable and mean the plans should be rejected.
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“End Domestic Flights” demos at London City and Manchester Airports
On 4th September, campaigners from Manchester and London held a joint demonstration calling for an end to domestic flights. There are currently around 38 flights per day between Manchester and the London hubs. The day began with a rally in the morning at London City Airport, with speakers including Murad Qureshi and Darren Johnson from the Greater London Authority. They then went by train to Manchester for a similar protest. (Fight the Flights and SEMA)
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More noise for residents during Heathrow runway repairs
Residents living under the Heathrow flight path have been warned by the BAA to expect prolonged aircraft noise for 6 weeks due to "critical" repairs. Most planes land from the east and take off facing west, but the arrival and departure runways are swapped daily at 3pm (runway alternation). From 13 September only the southern runway will be used for arrivals, so there will be no respite for those in areas like Wandsworth, Putney,Richmond and Hounslow.
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In 2009 £32.3 billion was spent by UK consumers on holidays – just over £10 per person per week.
Holidays are now seen as a ‘luxury’ item of spending by almost half of adults, which compares to just 38% having this view before the recession in 2007. Today, less than one in five adults see holidays as a ‘necessary spend’ or a ‘right’. However, Mintel’s research forecasts that in the coming five years, the market will return to a more ‘normal’ balance, with overseas holidays and short breaks growing at the expense of domestic holidays and longer holidays.
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Emirates plan for recycled A380 shower water scuppered by regulators
Emirates was forced to drop its initial plan to recycle the water used by its Airbus A380 fleet's on-board showers, rather carry up to 500kg of additional water, after it fell foul of regulators. The airline, which received its first A380 last week, put the 489-seater into service on 1 August between Dubai and New York. There are two shower cubicles by its 14 first class cubicles. The A380 carries 1,700 litres of water, and would need 25% more for the showers.
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Ryanair to pull out of Belfast City Airport at end of October
Ryanair is pulling out of Belfast City Airport, saying the reason is the public inquiry delaying a planned runway extension. Ryanair has been operating from George Best Belfast City Airport since 2007, and flies around 800,00 passengers per year from there to 5 UK airports - Bristol, East Midlands, Prestwick, Liverpool and London. from November, Ryanair will switch its one Belfast City-based aircraft to another European airport, with the loss of 50 Ryanair jobs.
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A “winning argument for airline economics and passenger comfort”? – the airline stand up seat
An Italian company, Aviointeriors, is proposing a much denser form of aircraft seating for part of the plane, to cram more passengers into a plane. Their new form of seating - the SkyRider - would take only 23" rather than the current 28 - 30". The passenger's body assumes a dynamic upright position. This would allow airlines to offer lower priced seats.
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Boeing delays delivery of 787 Dreamliner aircraft until next year
Boeing is delaying delivery of its first new-generation 787 Dreamliner aircraft until early 2011. Japan's All Nippon Airways was due to take delivery of the aircraft at the end of this year. The 787 project has already been delayed for more than 2 years, following a series of hitches. The setback is due to the availability of a Rolls-Royce engine needed for the final phases of flight testing. All Nippon may get their aircraft in the first quarter of 2011.(BBC)
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Aer Arran in bankruptcy protection
The Irish regional airline, Aer Arran, has entered a bankruptcy protection process after suffering losses of 18m euros since 2008. The High Court in Dublin has appointed an interim examiner to the airline. That is a process of Irish company law which protects a firm from its creditors while it comes up with a restructuring plan. The company, which employs 320 people, said the move would not affect day-to-day business. (BBC)
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Heathrow Airport food waste to be turned into fertiliser
Heathrow's 5 terminals manage currently to throw away massive amounts of food daily. The airport has plans to get all this composted by a firm in Mitcham - which is miles away. Why was this food not being recycled already? Heathrow claims "In the first year, Heathrow will save CO2 equal to around half a million air miles." The airport says it currently recycles 50% of its waste, and aims for 70%. The airport will use this to offset carbon.
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Belfast City Airport to hold residents meeting
Belfast City Airport is holding two open days, at which local residents can raise issues with the airport's management. The airport wants to extend the north east end of the runway by 590m. There were 1,486 letters of objection sent to the authorities over the extension plans. But Belfast City Airport Watch said the event won't make life any better for the tens of thousands of people who suffer from aircraft noise. Further expansion must be stopped.
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Protesters joint demo against expansion at London City and Manchester airports
Members of Stop Expansion at Manchester Airport are teaming up with the Fight the Flights at London City Airport group to stage a joint demonstration at both airports. They plan to hold a morning protest outside City Airport, London, before boarding an open-top double-decker red bus to raise awareness of their anti-expansion message. The protesters will call for an end to domestic flights and instead will urge commuters to ‘take the train, not plane’.
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Climate activism: is the trial more important than the protest?
The Ecologist's analysis of the Climate 9 trial suggests that the courtroom manoeuvres form a crucial part of the package. The Aberdeen airport defendants were given only modest fines. It seems activists may only be more highly motivated by stiffer sentences. Modern, savvy campaigners know the trial is a significant part of the whole protest. Campaigning around the trial enabled the group to make links to a wide range of organisations, even including the Church
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Australia banning noisy aircraft – a world first?
Australia is set to ban the noisiest aircraft from landing at its airports. Simply banning the nosiest aicraft is one of the most effective ways of reducing noise nuisance. Yet the UK government refuses to adopt this obvious and effective measure, despite saying it is concerned about aircraft noise. Australia is set to press ahead with a ban on Antonov 124s and the AN225 from September 1st, and operators will only be allowed to use them with a permit.
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Yes, we broke the law as climate change activists. And this is why. Dan Glass
Dan Glass, one of the Climate9, writing in the Guardian, says the group are not "terrorists" but people who believe delivering their message on climate change is worth being charged and fined. The Climate9 are ordinary people, but part of a growing movement of concerned citizens prepared to put their bodies in the way of dangerous high-carbon developments - and know this is justified, proportionate and necessary in the face of catastrophic climate change.
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Aberdeen Climate 9 remain defiant after Court sentence of only small fines
The 9 Plane Stupid protesters who shut down Aberdeen airport on March 3rd 2009 appeared in court today to finally receive their sentences, from the earlier verdict of guilty to charges of Breach of the Peace. The judge and court took the protesters' urgent message on climate change seriously and gave out very modest fines ranging from £300 to £700 each adding up to a total cost of around £4000 - £5000. Work continues on raising awareness of the climate theat.
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Plane crash kills 42 in north-eastern China
At least 42 people have been killed after an Embraer ERJ-190 passenger plane crash-landed in the north-eastern Chinese province of Heilongjiang about 2 km short of the runway. The plane was carrying 96 people. There was fog at the time and the plane was coming in to land. It may have attempted to land too early. This is China's first major air disaster for 5 years. Henan Airlines which operated the flight has grounded all flights for the next 3 days.
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Birds of prey and robot bird being used to keep birds away from airports
East Midlands airport is to use the assistance of an eagle owl, owned by GB Pest Control, to help keep pigeons away from flight paths. They see traditional methods as equally effective as chemical based pest control or shooting, and far better for the environment. In the Netherlands, a company has produced a remarkably life-like flying robot bird, the Ro-Bird, which flaps realistically and is apparently effective in chasing off birds.
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“Victory Against All The Odds” – new book from HACAN on the successful Heathrow Campaign
A new book, written by HACAN Chair, John Stewart, has been launched to tie in with, and mark, the celebration in Sipson of the 28th August of the victory. The book outlines how the campaign to stop expansion at Heathrow, including a 3rd runway, was won. It tells the tale of how a group of people took on the might of the aviation industry, international business and the UK Government and won. It outlines the strategy and the tactics used. It's an inspiring and a very human story. But it also contains valuable lessons for campaigners wherever they live and whatever their cause.
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Land surface globally the hottest July on record – even hotter than 1998
The combined global land and ocean average surface temperature for July 2010 was the 2nd warmest on record, behind 1998, at 16.5 °C (which is 0.66 °C above the 20th century average of 15.8 °C. The July worldwide land surface temperature was 1.03 °C above the 20th century average of 14.3 °C - the warmest July on record. The worldwide ocean surface temperature was 0.54 °C above the 20th century average of 16.4 °C and the 5th warmest July on record. (NOAA)
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Peak oil alarm revealed by secret official talks
Speculation that government ministers are far more concerned about a future supply crunch than they have admitted has been fuelled by the revelation that they are canvassing views from industry and the scientific community about "peak oil". Experts say they have received a letter from David Mackay, chief scientific adviser to DECC, asking for information and advice on peak oil amid a growing campaign from industrialists such as Sir Richard Branson for the government to put contingency plans in place to deal with any future crisis.
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Rolls-Royce Says 787 Engine Failed During Testing
Rolls Royce Group plc said a Trent 1000 engine built for Boeing's 787 Dreamliner failed in Derby during testing - on a test bed - and that a probe into the incident has begun. It is likely the delivery date for the first planes will now be delayed. The Dreamliner’s debut has been pushed back more than two years because of parts shortages, redesigns, problems with new materials and heavier reliance on suppliers. (Bloomberg)
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BAA loan package from 8 banks gives credit fillip
The market view of BAA’s credit standing has improved after it announced that it had put together a loan package that would help it refinance £1.57bn in debt. BAA said it had arranged a £625m loan from 8 banks – well above the £500m it had originally said it was seeking. The amount had been increased to meet "significant excess demand from new and existing relationship banks", BAA said and it would repay up to £1.1bn of the £1.57bn debt next month.
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Rising temperatures reducing ability of plants to absorb carbon, study warns
Scientists are sayinr rising temperatures in the past decade have reduced the ability of the world's plants to soak up carbon from the atmosphere. Large-scale droughts have wiped out plants that would have otherwise absorbed an amount of carbon - called NPP (Net Primary Production). This is equivalent to around 0.55 gigatonnes, while Britain's annual man-made greenhouse gas emissions are around 0.56 GT, and global aviation's re 0.88 GT. (Guardian)
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Manchester airport is now officially ‘A380 READY’ and also Stansted
The CAA has said Manchester is "A380 ready". The first A380 at the airport is due to be an Emirates plane, in 2 weeks. Only 17 airports globally (4 in England) are certified for the A380, as it is so large. Manchester has spent more than £10 million upgrading to the standards needed for the Emirates super-jumbo, including reconstructing a new aircraft stand with state of the art equipment including an advance docking system. Stansted now also approved.
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Airlines start lining up for Africa take-off
According to IATA, airlines increased the amount of flying capacity to and from Africa by 8.6% over the year to the end of June compared to 2009, more than any other region except for the Middle East. It forecasts that over the next 3 years the number of passengers travelling to and from Africa will rise at a compound annual rate of 6.5%, making it one of the fastest growing regions in the world. Africa's GDP grown 4.9% per year since 2000.
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Kiss Flights travel company ceases trading
Budget travel firm Kiss Flights has collapsed, sparking uncertainty for 70,000 holidaymakers. The British-based company sold flights to Greece, Egypt, Turkey and the Canary Islands. Kiss currently has about 13,000 customers overseas and 60,000 people have forward bookings with the company. London-based Flight Options, which has owned Kiss since January last year. In all 13 travel firms have gone bust in the UK this year as a result of the recession, (BBC)
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Airtrack plans for link to Heathrow – inquiry deferred to later than autumn
Plans for a high-speed rail link offering travellersa faster route to Heathrow have been put on hold because of doubts over funding. Airtrack would have led to some level crossings becoming busier and raised fears it would impact on traffic congestion. BAA announced on its website in July the public inquiry planned for the Airtrack proposals had been put on hold "as a consequence of the Government’s announcement of a spending review in the autumn".
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Global premium airline traffic increased in June
Globally, according to IATA, rhe number of passengers buying premium airline tickets increased in June as economic recovery kept first and business class seats filled. Demand for premium tickets was up 16.6% compared with a year ago, and demand for economy seats rose by 9.5%. Increased passenger numbers and ticket prices lifted premium revenue by 40%. But growth may have slowed in the 2nd quarter as economic activity returned to pre-crisis levels. (BBC)
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London’s new airport “could be in Birmingham”
Birmingham airport is continuing its publicity drive to persuade people that it could become another London airport. The airport hopes high speed rail will cut the journey time from central London to Birmingham to 38 minutes, making it as easy to reach as Heathrow. Birmingham wants to be the "solution" to an alleged lack of airport capacity in the south east ... The airport's Chief Executive, Paul Kehoe, has huge ambitions for the airport.
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In a critical year for the Aviation EU ETS, European emissions fall in first half of 2010 compared to 2009
2010 is the benchmarking year for calculating the allocation of free emission permits under the EU ETS to start in 2010. Therefore, airlines are perversely incentivized to ensure their emissions are kept high to maximize their share. But the ash crisis in April cut their emissions, by 2 - 5% on average. Overall carbon emissions within the scope of the Aviation EU ETS fell by 1.8% in the first half of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. (GreenAir)
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UK’s tourism deficit due to air travel was £15.1 billion in 2009
Adding the amount of tourism deficit from spending abroad, to the deficit from buying travel tickets from foreign companies gives a total deficit on air travel of £15.1 billion in 2009 compared to £19.6 billion in 2008. The tourism deficit due to UK citizens spending money abroad was £17.7 billion in 2008 to £13.0 billion in 2009. The deficit due to buying tickets from foreign companies fell from £2.2 billion in 2008 to £1.9 billion in 2009.
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Cameron pledges to boost UK tourism – domestic and in-bound
Setting out government plans to boost the tourism industry, the prime minister outlined how the government will cut red tape and take decisive and coherent action to support the UK tourism industry. He identified tourism as a major factor in rebalancing the economy so it is less dependent on the City. He said currently 36% of Britons' holiday spending goes towards the domestic market, and government would seek to increase this up to 50%. And more foreign tourists.
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Gatwick Airport passenger numbers fell by -3.1% in July
Gatwick saw a -3.1% drop in passenger numbers in July compared with July 2009. Total passengers were 3,431,100 million approx. Air transport movements were down - 5.1%. Cargo was up +95%. About half Gatwick's passengers are on European scheduled flights, and these were down -3.3%. Flights to Ireland down -11.5%, European charter down -3.6%, North Atlantic down -12%. But long haul other than North America were up +9% (with +3.3% for year to date).
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Leeds Bradford Airport may be affected by high-speed rail
In his evidence to the House of Commons Transport Select Committee on 26th July, Philip Hammond said that Flights from Leeds Bradford Airport and Manchester Airport are likely to be affected if a high-speed rail link is introduced, and the need for domestic air services will be cut. These changes would have a transformational effect on the UK economy. It will also reduce the number of services to Amsterdam from regional airports.
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FT LEX comment on airlines and future demand
Last year, airlines cut capacity back to 2007 levels; now it is 10-15% higher. Some airlines have hardly expanded capacity, so there are fuller planes with higher load factors and higher ticket prices. In a few months airlines will have to decide on capacity for summer 2011. They will be tempted to keep adding planes but "with the economic recovery looking more fragile than ever, excessive enthusiasm should be left to the immature".
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Sun4u collapse heightens late bookings market fears
The CAA warned that Sun4U-booked travellers arriving overseas may find their airport transfers and booked accommodation unavailable to them. The Birmingham-based company ceased trading on Wednesday night, with about 1,200 UK holidaymakers abroad. It is expected to leave Barclaycard and the CAA picking up most of the bill. The cost to the Air Travel Trust fund that backs the CAA's Atol scheme is expected to be around £500,000. There was not enough demand.
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Temporary changes to Heathrow runway alternation for 6 weeks starting 13th Sept
For 6 weeks essential maintenance work will be taking place on taxiways connecting Heathrow's northern runway with the rest of the airfield. This means that Heathrow will not be able to alternate daytime use of the runways as published during this period, although night time alternation will be unaffected. On westerly operations, BAA will use the southern runway for the majority of arrivals and the northern runway for departures. (BAA)
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US Airlines have cut jobs 2 straight years and lost 16% of the workforce
The US aviation industry has lost about one quarter of the jobs it had 10 years ago. The level of US airline employment in June was the 2nd-lowest in 20 years. In that same time period, annual passenger traffic has jumped about 65%. The industry lost 54,000 jobs, (16% of its work force) in the last 2 years. For passengers, there are fewer flights to choose from, so planes are more full. The combination of fewer seats and more travelers lets airlines raise fares.
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Ryanair review urged after child’s fall from airstairs at Stansted
Air accident investigators have recommended that Ryanair review procedures after a 3-year-old child fell on to the tarmac while boarding a plane. She escaped with only minor injuries after falling through the gap between the handrail and the level platform at the top of the Boeing 737's boarding steps. The AAIB recommended that Ryanair review its current passenger boarding and disembarkation procedures so that assistance is made more available.
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Belfast City airport inquiry delayed by noise pollution report
A public inquiry into the proposed runway extension at the airport is to be delayed as the Planning Appeals Commision said it cannot start until it gets more information from the airport about possible noise pollution. The airport wants to extend the NE end of the runway by 590m while retracting 120m from the SW. Belfast City Airport Watch says the airport must come clean about the dreadful, devasting impact that this is going to have on residents.
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Drop in Scots airport passengers in July and further decline of Glasgow
Edinburgh, Scotland's busiest airport, had a +0.6% rise in passengers in July, compared to July 2009, to 961,000 partly due to Ryanair. But Glasgow had a fall in passengers of - 3.6% to 789,000 and Aberdeen had a fall of - 4.1% to 270,000. Overall, BAA's UK airports had a rise in passengers in July of only +0.3%. BAA's 6 UK airports handled nearly 58.5 million passengers in the first seven months of this year - a 4.5% drop on the January-July 2009 total.
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