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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:
David Lees new MD at Southampton airport, as Kevin Brown moves to Edinburgh
David Lees has been appointed the new managing director of Southampton Airport, after three years working there. He will take on the role from July 31 and replaces the Kevin Brown, who is is currently managing director of Aberdeen and Southampton Airports. Kevin Brown now takes control of sister BAA airport Edinburgh. The move follows last month's announcement that Gordon Dewar - current Edinburgh MP - is moving to be chief executive of Bahrain Airport.
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Climate9 trial in Aberdeen: Officer tells of fears for airport
John Irvine, of Grampian Police, told the trial yesterday that he warned the group members that if they did not leave then there was a possibility they could be arrested. He said "We just can’t have people running about the airport who could cause damage to any aircraft or equipment." He said he felt the charge of breach of the peace was more appropriate than just breaching a bylaw. The trail continues next week.
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Climate9: Day 4 of the trial in Aberdeen
On Thursday, the court saw an hour-long video of the runway invasion, that was recorded by police at the time. The protestors reiterate clearly that their aim was to close the airport for as long as possible; to stop airport expansion; to end short haul flights; to get people in high-emission industry into green jobs. It also shows they were willing to leave immediately if it was established they were preventing the take off of the air ambulance.
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California Public Employees Retirement System buys 12.7% stake in Gatwick
The US’s biggest state pension fund has confirmed it was buying an equity stake in Gatwick airport. It will buy a £106m ($157m) stake from Global Infrastructure Partners, the buy-out group. GIP, which bought Gatwick from BAA last year for just over £1.5bn, is selling stakes to the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (Adia), one of the world’s leading sovereign wealth funds, and South Korea’s National Pension Service, the fifth-biggest pension fund in the world.
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CAA to investigate east Belfast roof tiles incident:
The CAA has confirmed that it will be investigating one of the recent incidents in which, it appears, low-flying aircraft dislodged roof tiles in east Belfast. The CAA is to investigate the most recent incident which happened at Parkgate Drive at approximately 10pm on Tuesday, 8th June. The CAA says it will specifically examine whether or not the aircraft in question was flying too low. The residents think they were, but the airport denies this.
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Air pollution from airports revealed by volcanic ash cloud
The closure of UK airspace for 6 days due to the ash cloud allowed scientists to confirm that airports are significant causes of air pollution. As planes and road vehicles produce very similar pollutants, it is normally very difficult to distinguish between them. During the ash crisis researchers from King's Collelge found a clear measurable effect on NO2 [nitrogen dioxide] concentrations, at both Gatwick and Heathrow. Short report available. (AEF)
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London Assembly opposes any increase in flights at BAA’s London airports.
The London Assembly has unanimously called for a ban on any increase in the number of flights operating from BAA’s London airports. It expressed concern that following the Government’s decision to reject a 3rd runway at Heathrow, BAA may try increase the number of flights from its airports by the back door, by operational and regulatory changes like allowing mixed mode operations and increasing the number of night flights. (These would be strongly opposed).
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Farnborough Airport inquiry hears new round of noise arguments
Arguments about how annoying the noise of 50,000 flights over homes each year might be have continued at the Farnborough Airport inquiry this week, as an end to the proceedings looms. Airport owner TAG - fighting to be given permission for 50,000 flights a year instead of 28,000 - has been arguing with Rushmoor Borough Council about how effective a system for measuring noise is. The arbitrary 57 dB contour is irrelevant to those suffering noise on the ground.
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New analysis by the Green Alliance makes the case for raising more tax revenue from aviation
A short briefing paper on taxing UK aviation has been prepared by the Green Alliance. The analysis forecasts revenues of £2.5 billion per year which could be raised from aviation, currently undertaxed compared to road fuel. The UK aviation sector enjoys historic tax exemptions worth £10 billion a year, because it does not pay fuel duty and VAT is not paid on airline tickets. Their briefing is based on detailed financial analysis by the PSI.
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Climate9 trial: Ambulance worker witness tells court that protestors did not delay ambulance flight
The trial of the Climate 9 protesters in Aberdeen heard on Wednesday from an air ambulance witness that the protesters were not responsible for delaying an air ambulance, as had previously been suggested during yesterday's evidence for the prosecution. He said: "Our flight was scheduled to take off at 8.00am this morning, but in fact took off about 8.35am, but this was due to our operational delay by the medics and not the protestors". The trial continues.
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Dilemma: How do you define unneccesary travel?
With plane, train and automobile emissions still increasing, are we being honest with ourselves about how and how often we travel? Matilda Lee - writing in the Ecologist - looks at the bare necessities of transport. How many of the 200 million passengers using British airports every year are boarding flights for weekend shopping trips to New York and Bank Holidays in sunny countries? How many are love miles? Could we ration flights?
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Hammond defends Heathrow 3rd runway decision
The transport secretary has said the scrapping of a proposed third runway at Heathrow does not mean that the government is "anti-aviation". At the first transport questions of the new Parliament, Philip Hammond said he wants to make Heathrow "better not bigger". Jim Fitzpatrick said while there is "spare capacity in Paris, Schiphol and Frankfurt, and Dubai has built 6 runways, we run the risk of being disadvantaged ..."
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Signs of growth lift the mood in business aviation
At the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition show in Geneva in May, the business aviation sector was more optimistic than they had been for a long time. Their aircraft orders, utilisation and expectations of continued growth all rising. Business aviation traffic was up 11% in March compared with the same month last year. That compares with a fall of 14% in 2009 as a whole from the year before.
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New talks on increasing capacity at Heathrow
Campaigners against Heathrow noise reacted with suspicion as the Government announced a task force for "better not bigger" airports in the South-East. This is set to reopen the debate about whether more flights can be squeezed out of Heathrow's existing runways, with one of the business groups represented saying that improving the airports was a "tall order" with current capacity. A new South East Airports Task Force has been set up, with AEF a member.
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Climate9 trial: Plane Stupid protest “delayed take-off for air ambulance” at Aberdeen airport
On the 2nd day of the Climate9 trial in Aberdeen, the airport's duty manager told the court that emergency helicopter flight was unable to leave because the airport had been shut down. However, the defence advocate established that there was no physical reason why the helicopter could not take off, as the activists only occupied a very small part of the runway. The airport says the helicopters could not take off as the airport was technically closed for safety.
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CAA data for May: UK passengers down -5.4%
CAA figures show that UK passengers fell by -5.4% in May, compared to May 2009. This was partly due to the BA strike, and a brief reappearance of the volcanic ash. Heathrow was down by -3.1%; Gatwick down by - 4.1%; Stansted down -1.4%; Manchester down - 8.2%; Birmingham down - 5.2%. Luton down - 6.9%; Edinburgh down - 11.5%; Glasgow down - 13.7%; Newcastle down - 4.9%; Belfast internal down - 19.4%; Leeds Bradford UP + 4.9%; Aberdeendown - 9.8% and so on.
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Demand for air travel in Russia growing at more than 20%
Last year, Russian air travel was down significantly in the 1st half of the year, before stabilising in the 2nd half. However, in 2010, traffic is growing rapidly once more and in May total capacity at Russian airports was up 20% compared with a year ago. Moscow’s 3 airports account for 52.4% of all Russian airport capacity. Domestic scheduled capacity was up 24% in May. The top 3 airlines. S7, Aeroflot and UTair, share around 47% of the total market.
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ABTA: operators and agents claim they should get ash cash too !
ABTA has issued a statement calling on the Government to encompass all areas of the travel industry when it looks at ash cloud compensation packages. Airlines have already met with senior government figures to demand compensation. Tour operators and travel agents also worked hard to sort out the problems and get people home. Theresa Villiers has said 'the Government have not ruled out providing support for airlines'".
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Aberdeen Climate 9 trial – for invasion of runway in 2009 – hope to set precedent
The trial of the 9 activists who invaded the runway at Aberdeen in March 2009 has started in Aberdeen. Their action was designed to stop carbon emissions from aviation and to highlight the links between Donald Trump’s planned hotel and golf course complex and the expansion of Aberdeen airport. The Climate 9 are arguing the defence of necessity. They argue that their actions were justified because they were trying to prevent runaway climate change.
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UN climate deal draft could curb US emissions and poor nations’ growth
A new draft negotiating text, prepared by the UN secretariat at the close of two weeks of climate talks in Bonn, proposes that rich countries cut their emissions between 25-40% by 2020, but needs poor countries to 'peak' emissions by 2020. It outlines a goal of cutting global emissions by "at least 50-85% from 1990 levels by 2050". Rich countries specifically would have to cut at least 50-95% from 1990 levels by 2050". More ambitious than Copenhagen.
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British Airways Launches New Ibiza Route from London City
BA has launched its new BA CityFlyer direct service to Ibiza, allowing passengers to fly direct from the Docklands to the Balearics for holiday breaks. This is not a business flight. The flight takes 2 hours and 15 minutes on the new Embraer 190 aircraft. Flights depart and return on a Monday, Friday and Sunday. For July and August only, a Wednesday service has also been added.
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SAEN are asking Southend Council to support night flight ban
There is a full council meeting of Southend Borough Council on Thursday 17th June at which SAEN understand that a possible night flight ban may be discussed. However, this would most likely be for a short period of the night – probably 3 hours. This does no-one any good as it will simply push flights into the remaining part of the night when people will still want uninterrupted sleep. SAEN are encouraging people in the area to write to councillors before 17th.
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BA threatens to favour Madrid over Heathrow for expansion
Willie Walsh is saying BA will expand at Madrid rather than Heathrow after its planned Iberia merger "if the UK fails to address increased demand now that it has scrapped plans for a 3rd runway". Walsh says growth in aviation demand will continue and Madrid has excess capacity. Some in the industry are unsure how such plans will work, as Heathrow is the only true UK international hub airport.
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Germany will keep a new environment levy on aviation after the sector’s inclusion in the ETS
It seems likely that Germany will keep the new levy on aviation even after aviation joins the EU ETS in 2012. The tax will be levied based on carbon emissions and noise levels, although full details have yet to be thrashed out. This is in contrast to Chancellor Angela Merkel’s initial announcement on 7th June, when she said the tax is set to run only until 2012. The new tax will start in Jan 2011, and could raise €1 billion per year.
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Government takes hundreds of thousands of ‘unnecessary’ flights every year – WWF
A new WWF report shows in 2008/9 government officials took more than 450,000 flights, 90% to UK destinations or European cities that can be easily reached by train. WWF said government could cut 200,00 flights a year and save more than £30 million. Many of the flights could be replaced by videoconferencing. Though many government departments have made huge efforts to cut costs, they have not made similar efforts to reduce their flying.
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Daily Cardiff to New York City flight talks ‘end’
Discussions have been taking place between Cardiff airport and Delta, to establish a daily flight to JFK in New York. But there are now no plans to launch the service. Delta declined to comment on reports that it had asked for the assembly government to underwrite any losses made by the service. The Welsh assembly government said it is "committed" to an air link. Cardiff airport continue talking to airlines to expand their range of routes. (BBC)
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New UN climate chief, Christiana Figueres, calls for more ambition
The incoming head of the UN climate convention, Christiana Figueres who will take over from Yvo de Boer, has said rich nations must pledge bigger emission cuts if climate change is to be tackled effectively. Major differences are evident between different groups of countries, with developing countries asking for more ambitious cuts from the West. The inadequate and partial deal at Copenhagen put the earth on course for a 3 - 4 degree C rise in temperature.
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Excess baggage? Time to reduce government flying – WWF report
A new WWF-UK report "Excess Baggage: the case for reducing government flying" reveals the full extent of flights taken by government ministers and officials over the past 3 years. A shocking 90% of those flights were within the UK. The most common domestic routes were London-Edinburgh and London-Belfast, while the top non-UK short-hauls were to Brussels, Geneva, Luxembourg and Strasbourg. All reachable by lower-CO2 train and ferry, or replaceable by video-conferencing.
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EADS sets 1st public algae-biofuel flight at ILA air show in Berlin
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Prince Charles blames world’s ills on ‘soulless consumerism’ and Galileo
Prince Charles said, in a speech to the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (of which he is patron) said that the West had been been "de-souled" by consumerism. He believed "green technology" alone could not resolve the world’s environmental problems but the West must do something about its "deep, inner crisis of the soul". The world's population is growing by 75 million per year, and is expected to reach 9 billion by 2050, with growing desire to consume.
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IATA SLAMS GERMAN AIR TRAVEL TAX PLANS
Airline industry body IATA lashed out at German plans to impose an air travel tax while Europe's aviation industry is struggling to make a profit amid a weak economic environment. Angela Merkel announced the tax plan on Monday. Commerzbank said the burden for Lufthansa would be about EUR €200 million a year, assuming the carrier is able to pass on half of the tax to passengers.
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Aberdeen Climate9 trial starts on 14th June
The Climate9's trial starts in Aberdeen on 14th June. The 9 are charged with vandalism and breach of the peace. Their defence, at the most important climate change trial ever in Scotland, will be that they committed a smaller crime, in order to prevent a larger one. That was the defence that won the case for the Kingsnorth Six in ~September 2008. You can send the Climate9 a message of support, or read the dozens from around the world.
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Belfast residents call for independent inquiry into yet another roof tiles incident
There has been another dangerous incident of roof damage and heavy roof tiles being dislodged by vortices from over-flying planes, at Belfast City Airport. Around 20 tiles were dislodged, though luckily none fell. The resident of the house was extremely upset. Belfast City Airport Watch are calling for an independent inquiry into aircraft safety, as there was another potentially dangerous episode last September. The wake vortex problem is widely recognised.
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“Queen’s Speech does NOT support Lydd Airport’s expansion”
The Lydd Area Action Group is delighted that the Queen's Speech confirmed that the new coalition government only supports airport development "within the constraints of the existing runway infrastructure." Lydd airport operates now at about 1% of its current capacity - it had less than 2,000 passengers in 2009, and made a loss of £2 million in 2009. Manston also operates at a tiny % of capacity and makes a huge loss - so Kent has huge excess capacity already.
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Heathrow expansion would give negative economic benefit (new NEF report)
A new report by the NEF (New Economics Foundation) on the costs/benefits of a 3rd Heathrow runway shows that when the full social and environmental costs (not merely tentative economic benefits) are taken into account, the costs of the runway would probably outweight benefits by at least £5 billion up to 2030. Their new analytical tool, SROI (Social Return on Investment) takes account of local impacts, effects of noise, air pollution, blight and uncertainty. (NEF)
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Airbus delivers the 30th A380 – and has 234 total orders
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Glasgow Airport set for £200m revamp
Plans for improvements at Glasgow airport have been released. The first step in a £200 million project will be a revamp of the confusing and congested passenger pick-up and drop-off zones. The airport plans to make the system simpler and easier to use in a £12m reorganisation. It is on track to be finished for the summer rush of holiday makers on 2nd July.
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Belfast Residents’ fury at Minister’s nod on lifting airport passengers’ cap
Local residents say they’re furious that the Environment Minister, Edwin Poots, has said he’s likely to lift the official limit on passenger numbers at George Best Belfast City Airport. Belfast City Airport Watch, which represents residents in east and south Belfast, and in north Down, says that any such move would have grave implications for the tens of thousands of local people affected by aircraft noise - and cause a nightmare situation for thousands.
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BA passengers down 14.2% in May and losing £7 million per day
BA passenger numbers fell by 14.2% to 2.3 million during May after industrial action disrupted services in the last 2 weeks. The strikes have cost BA £119 million so far and £7 million a day. BA says it will operate a high proportion of flights during the next strike, but the uncertainty is driving passengers away. Unite estimates the long-term damage to BA’s reputation could cost the airline about £1.4 billion. May cargo rose by 7.1% compared to last May.(Times)
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Protest by the German Robin Wood group against Frankfurt airport expansion
Germany: "Save the Climate: Stop Airport Expansion": a 130 cubic meter banner with this demand was unfurled from the arm of a building crane on the construction site for the expansion of the Rhein-Main-Airport near Frankfurt by ROBIN WOOD activists this morning. The activists publicly criticize the UN climate talks which are currently taking place in Bonn. Their message: "Don't wait for governments to save the climate. Become active yourself".
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British Airways flies to Nassau empty
The Tribune believes it has found evidence of BA flights taking off from Heathrow, bound for Nassau, with no passengers on board. And also returning with no, or very few, passengers. It is unclear how widespread this problem is, and whether indeed some planes are fully catered, and all the food is then thrown away. It may be that a reason for the flights is to make it appear more BA flight are taking place than is the reality.
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BAA still making plans to resurrect dead Heathrow runway
BAA has been buying up properties in Sipson and Harmondsworth, under their Property Market Support Bond scheme. Local residents thought this scheme had now ended, as the 3rd runway plans have been scuppered, but BAA are again sending out letters offering to buy properties. The current deadline is 22nd June, but the scheme continues even after that. The letter demonstrates that BAA will continue to push for expansion at Heathrow till stopped by government.
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BA strikes ‘could continue all summer’
The bitter BA dispute could cause disruption to flights throughout the summer with cabin crew set to be balloted for fresh industrial action. Unite said the series of strikes since last March had now cost BA almost £100 million, with 8 further days of action planned. The union had paid out almost £1 million in strike pay. A fresh ballot will be needed because the 12-week protective legal period for taking industrial action ends in early June. (Independent)
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Farnborough Airport opponents check in for 28 days of public inquiry
The public inquiry into Farnborough's expansion plans started on 26th May. The airport wants to expand to 50,000 flights per year, from the current 28,000 limit. The airport is banking on policy in the Air Transport White Paper of 2003, which is out of date after the Heathrow and Stansted runway cancellations. The Heathrow judgement said the Climate Change Act must be taken account of, and it was not in the original Farnborough permission.
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SSE embarks on a final mission: “NEVER AGAIN … but we’ll settle for 50 years”
SSE has launched the final stage of its campaign against major expansion at Stansted. The new initiative's key message is ‘NEVER AGAIN … but we’ll settle for 50 years’ and the objective is to secure a commitment that no additional runways will be permitted at Stansted until 2060 at the earliest. People in the area have suffered from uncertainty and repeated runway threats for 50 years, and they feel they deserve the guarantee of being left in peace for 50 more.
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AEF to defend EU climate policy against legal challenge
A transatlantic coalition of environmental groups has joined an action at the UK High Court to defend Europe’s right to tackle carbon emissions from foreign aircraft that visit Europe. The coalition is intervening in a Judicial Review being sought by several US airlines and their trade association, the ATA. The airlines allege the EU ETS infringes international law and the EU-US open skies agreement. The green groups stress the urgency of tackling aviation emissions.
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BP oil spill shows need for biofuels, developers say
The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has encouraged the biofuel industry to press for even greater use of, and investment in, their fuels. They say oils produced on land do not have the risks of oil extracted from deep under the sea. The industry wants to develop cellulosic and algae biofuels but the economic downturn, uncertainty in global financial markets and the lack of long-term U.S government support has made it hard for them to raise capital.
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United Utilities boss Charlie Cornish to be Manchester Airports chief
Charlie Cornish, a board director at FTSE 100 giant United Utilities is set to be named as the new chief executive of Manchester Airports Group. He is expected to succeed Geoff Muirhead, who has been at MAG for 22 years. MAG is the largest UK-owned airports operator and the 2nd biggest in the country after BAA, which is part of Spanish giant Ferrovial. Mr Muirhead was paid around £512,000 last year, including a bonus for MAG’s strong performance in 2007-08.
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Bristol Airport planning approval must be called in for public inquiry
SBAE are asking that the recent planning approval for the application by Bristol Airport should be called in by Eric Pickles. There should be a public inquiry so all the issues, in particular climate change, economics and green belt, can be properly considered. This is particularly important as Bristol is the first major airport application to be decided under the new Coalition government. Details of how to help and how to ask for the call-in. (SBAE)
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English High Court permits American ATA legal challenge to EU ETS to proceed
The Air Transport Association of America, the trade organisation for US airlines, is pleased that the English High Court will allow it permission to proceed with its legal challenge to the extension of the EU ETS to international aviation. The High Court will shortly refer the case to the European Court of Justice for a ruling on the validity of the EU law. They claim the ETS violates international law, and starves them of funds.
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London Assembly meeting on City Airport deferred to autumn
The London Assembly Environment Committee’s 10th June public meeting on expansion at London City Airport has been deferred to the autumn. The deferral of the June meeting enables the Committee to conduct further background work, including a site visit. It also allows the Committee to await the outcome of the current JR of the decision to permit expansion and assess how it will impact on operations at the airport.
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Chris Huhne backs European plan to raise target for emission cuts
The Government has promised to support a European plan to raise the target for cutting greenhouse gases - to 30% by 2020. Chris Huhne urged other EU members to raise the target from 20%. He said global climate change is the biggest challenge the world faces and the EU should demonstrate leadership. An EC report just published shows a 30% cut could be met by imposing a tighter cap on industrial emissions and raising the price of CO2 allowances. (Times)
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Campaigners demand Bristol Airport inquiry
SBAE has said it would be urging the Sec of State, Eric Pickles, to hold a public inquiry into the expansion of Bristol Airport, following referral by North Somerset Council. Councillors voted to approve the expansion plans, subject to conditions, including referral to the Sec of State. N Somerset is asking the Government to consider the expansion's impact on climate change – and to rule on airportʼs plans to build a car park on green belt. (SBAE) Stop Bristol Airport Expansion spokesperson Jeremy Birch said: "We believe the Secretary of State must now send this decision to a public inquiry – and we will be calling for that. Expanding Bristol Airport has major implications for the regionʼs economy and for the countryʼs climate emissions. These must all be taken into account. There is currently no valid policy to support approval, leaving the decision open to legal challenge.
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China to launch first aviation biofuel flight this year
China will launch its first flight using aviation biofuel this year after signing an agreement with US aviation giant Boeing in Beijing. Boeing agreed to collaborate on the launch with Air China and PetroChina,which will provide the jatropha-based fuel feedstock for the project. The new fuel was expected to be commercially viable within 3 - 5 years, by when they want to see biofuel as a portion of fuel in commercial aviation but "a lot has to be done first".
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New Government announce ‘Airports Bill’ in the Queen’s Speech
A new airport economic regulation bill was announced in the Queen's Speech. No details were given about the bill's contents and it was merely referred to aa a bill to ‘reform the economic regulation of airports to benefit passengers’. The government is keen to promote competition among airport operators. The bill may allow airport operators to set their own charges for airlines. It will drive investment in airport facilities.
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BAA Heathrow announces: They are stopping all plans for a 3rd runway !!
BAA HEATHROW SAYS: "In response to the new Government's 'Coalition Agreement', Heathrow Airport today announces that it will stop work on the planning application for a 3rd runway." BAA also plans to stop buying properties in Sipson, after a period of notice lasting till June. Colin Matthews, BAA's CEO, said: "We recognise the importance of government policy in a matter as significant and controversial as runway capacity....The policy intentions of the new government are clear..."
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Gatwick Campaigners slam airport’s revised noise action plan
Campaigners from GACC have attacked the revised Gatwick Airport Noise Action Plan as "flawed" and the result of a consultation which was "largely a sham." GACC says the current situation on the draft NAP is "extremely unsatisfactory." From a FoI request they have discovered that the revised draft after consultation only included a few changes even though the public - and GACC - had submitted many comments and constructive proposals. (Life)
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BAA STANSTED: Stansted to withdraw runway planning application
BAA Stansted says: "Stansted Airport today announces that it is withdrawing its application to build a 2nd runway at the airport. The move follows a clear indication that Government airports policy will change, following the recent General Election. Stansted will also withdraw, with immediate effect, the provision for assisted relocation within the home owner support scheme introduced at Stansted in 2004." They add that BAA believes "new airport capacity is needed in the South East of England, to strengthen the UK's international trading links."
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3rd runway plan for Heathrow and 2nd runway plan for Stansted scrapped by BAA
BAA today formally dropped plans for new runways at Heathrow and Stansted airports, bringing to a close one of the most controversial parts of the last Labour government's transport policy. BAA said late last year it was shelving its programme at Heathrow until after the election. BAA today said it would stop all work on a planning application for the 3rd Heathrow runway. It also said it was also withdrawing its plans for a 2nd Stansted runway. (Guardian)
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STOP STANSTED EXPANSION? YES WE DID!
Stop Stansted Expansion is about to organise the biggest party in its history following BAA’s humiliating climbdown over its plans for a 2nd Stansted runway. BAA formally withdrew its planning application for a second Stansted runway which if approved would have made the airport bigger than Heathrow. The planning application had taken BAA more than 4 years to prepare and cost the airport operator some £200 million - and badly damaged local communities.
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Bristol Airport expansion given go-ahead
Multi-million pound plans to expand Bristol Airport have been passed by North Somerset councillors. The £150m scheme was recommended for approval by 10 votes to two. Campaigners have argued that a 60% increase in passenger numbers up to 10 million per year was too high. More than 5,500 comments were submitted during a consultation of which 5,180 objected to the plans. The approval will have to be referred to the Sec of State at DCLG (Pickles) because some development is on green belt land.
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Climate protest by Plane Stupid briefly closes Manchester Airport
Six protesters from Manchester Plane Stupic have cut through a perimeter fence at Manchester Airport and chained themselves to the wheels of a plane. They are demonstrating against the expansion of the World Freight Centre. The activists cut a hole in the fence and flights were suspended for 20 minutes following the security breach. Police are currently working on removing the protesters, who started their demonstration at about 0700 BST. A further 10 environmental activists are currently at the road entrance to the terminal. (BBC)
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Monbiot on UK’s real carbon emissions – the outsourced carbon from consumption
The UK government claims that our total emissions amount to 627 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (MtCO2e. the real total (using 2007 figures) should be 950Mt. The government artificially excludes the greenhouse gas emissions caused by the goods we import and the international travel we commission. In 2009 add 7Mt for international shipping, 67Mt for international aviation, 2Mt extra greenhouse warming (not CO2) from domestic flights amd 40Mt net CO2 from holidays abroad.
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Indian air crash kills at least 158 people
An Air India plane crashed in the southern city of Mangalore early Saturday killing at least 158 people in the country’s first major plane crash in nearly a decade. The Boeing 737-800 plane, budget flight IX-812 from Dubai to Mangalore, overshot its landing, breaking in two and crashing into a patch of jungle beyond the runway. There are a few survivors. This will raise questions over air safety in India, one of the fastest growing aviation markets. (FT)
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Air France: We’ll fly you across the Channel in an A380 for €80
Air France is trying to lure back customers with cut-price tickets on an Airbus A380, between London and Paris this summer. Air France hopes to fill 555 seats on the double-decker giant 3 or 4 days a week. However, the A380 was designed for long haul flights. The reason could be to get pilots used to taking off and landing an aircraft with a wing span the size of a football pitch. Airbus 380 emits 75g of CO2 per passenger/km compared with 11g for Eurostar. (Times)
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British Airways in record £531m loss for the year to March
BA has reported its biggest annual loss due to lower passenger numbers, higher costs and the impact of strike action. It lost lost £531m ($766m) in the 12 months to March - BA's biggest loss since it was privatised in 1987. That adds to the £401m it lost in the 2008-9 financial year, but as it was less than expected, BA shares rose. The results come as BA faces 15 more days of strike action. Revenues were down £1bn on last year, but costs were also down. (BBC)
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Air France-KLM makes record annual loss of 1.55bn euros
Air France-KLM has announced a record annual net loss of 1.55bn euros ( £1.33bn). A fall in air traffic, particularly for cargo, rocketing fuel prices and the fatal Rio-Paris air crash of almost a year ago all took their toll. The loss is even greater than the 1.3 bn euros it lost in 1993. This year's figure is almost double the 811m-euro loss reported for the previous financial year. (BBC)
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Lufthansa to use biofuel on flights by 2012
Lufthansa is set to become one of the world's first airlines to mix biofuel with traditional kerosene on commercial flights as carriers seek ways to cut soaring fuel costs. It plans to start running its engines on some flights on a mix of biofuel and kerosene within 2 years, and use it regularly on some flights, rather than do a specific test flight. Air France - KLM aims to use biofuel from 2011. Airlines hope biofuels will save them money. (Reuters)
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Farmer wins appeal to stop Carlisle Airport revamp
A Cumbrian farmer has won his legal fight to overturn planning approval for the £25 million redevelopment of Carlisle Airport. The Court of Appeal has quashed a decision by Carlisle City Council to allow Stobart Air to build a haulage depot and create a passenger and freight hub. The city council should have insisted on a full assessment of the environmental impact. Stobart was granted permission in December 2009 and is now looking at sites outside Cumbria.
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Gatwick Airport: public reactions to the absence of aircraft noise during the volcanic ash crisis
For 6 days peace was restored to the countryside around Gatwick. Older people commented that the world had gone back to what it was like in the 1930’s. It was a less fraught world with blue skies and birdsong, where one could talk to one’s neighbours without constant interruptions and sleep more soundly at night. It was a reminder of how life would be if aircraft had not been given exemption from the laws limiting noise which apply to every other industry.
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Government rules out Stansed 2nd runway, but no victory yet
SSE is pressing for early meetings with new Government ministers responsible for transport and planning to press for greater certainty in ruling out a 2nd nd runway, not just in the life of the present Parliament, but in the longer term as well. Ministers will be asked to put pressure on BAA to withdraw completely its runway application, originally submitted 2 years ago but now on hold. SSE want to ensure a 2nd Stansted runway is not in the new NPS. (SSE)
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Fast Train to Nowhere? – George Monbiot questions the case for high speed rail
Before the UK commissions a high speed rail network, we should ask ourselves some big questions. Does high speed rail provide a lower carbon form of transport than its alternatives? How many of its passengers switch from lower carbon forms of travel? How has the DfT calculated the figures? What assumptions has it made? Will high speed rail only increase the numbers travelling, and will the runway slots just be used for long haul instead?
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“Climate9” trial – for Aberdeen runway invasion – to start on 14th June
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Volcano ash cloud delays hit Heathrow and Gatwick
Heathrow, Gatwick and London City resumed limited flights after being completely closed until 0700 BST. Flights remain grounded in Northern Ireland and much of Scotland and Wales. Restrictions are expected in parts of the UK until Tuesday. Gatwick is closed to arrivals until 1300 BST and departures would be subject to restrictions. BA said airlines should be able to decide whether it was safe to fly, as the current approach was "overly restrictive".
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Flights grounded after volcanic ash returns
Flights have been suspended at airports across the North and Midlands, as volcanic ash drifts across the country. A CAA-imposed no fly zone is in place until 1900 BST. Birmingham, East Midlands, Manchester, Liverpool, Doncaster, Humberside, Leeds, Teesside and Carlisle airports are closed, and Prestwick About 7,000 passengers have been affected at Manchester Airport, where 80 flights have been cancelled. Also 30 at Liverpool and 18 at Leeds. (BBC)
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Coalition: Campaigners believe war on climate change will be stymied
The parties are divided over nuclear power, offshore oil drilling and many other green issues - and critics say that will hinder the fight against global warming. The Lib Dem manifesto promised to cut UK emissions by 40% by 2020, while the Tories are committed to a 34% reduction. The Lib Dems are opposed to all airport expansion and want funding to be diverted from roads to rail. The Tories have left the door open to a new airport in the South-east. (Independent)
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Warning of more disruption to flights from volcanic ash cloud
Parts of the UK's airspace are at risk of closure from Sunday because of volcanic activity by the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland. The DfT has warned that disruption could hit airports in south-east England until Tuesday. BA will discuss the likely impact with Nats. Ministers agreed on Saturday that 5-day ash prediction charts would be made available on the Met Office website. ash plume was currently about 25,000ft high, with winds blowing from the NW.
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Proposed US climate change legislation gets mixed reaction
US senators John Kerry and Joe Lieberman have announced the American Power Act - climate change legislation they say will create jobs and achieve energy security while reducing carbon pollution by 17% in 2020 and by over 80% in 2050. Aviation is mentioned, but aims to use the measures to be undetaken through IATA, and avoid any duplication of taxes - so airlines taxed in one country would not be taxed also in the USA.
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What went wrong at the BP Gulf of Mexico oil rig? And can deep sea oil drilling be safe?
Bad wiring and a leak in what's supposed to be a "blowout preventer." Sealing problems that may have allowed a methane gas eruption which caused the leak. Even a dead battery, of all things. There was a complex cascade of deep-sea equipment failures and procedural problems in the oil rig explosion and massive spill originating nearly a mile under water. Over the past 21 days more than 4 million gallons of oil have been released. Can deep sea drilling be safe?
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Freight industry says Coalition plans will damage UK air freight
Shippers say the new coalition government risks weakening the competitiveness of UK air freight. The Freight Transport Assn says coalition plans to impose a per-aircraft emissions tax and to cancel a third runway at Heathrow would drive business to other European countries. It believes the costs involved would cause some express operators to redirect flights from UK airports. The FTA does not want UK measures which reduce the competitiveness of UK firms. (IFW)
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