Latest News
AirportWatch on 
@AirportWatch
Summaries of, and links to, the latest aviation news stories appear below. News is archived into topics
For a daily compilation of UK articles on national and regional transport issues, see Transportinfo.org.uk | For more stories about specific airports see Aviation Environment Federation Transport & Environment Anna Aero TravelMole Press releases from CAA IATA BA Ryanair easyJet Jet2.com For climate change ECEEE news and Guardian Climate and NoAA monthly analysisCheck Hansard for reports on Parliament |
 |
Latest news stories:
MD’s pledge: No lorry depot at Southend Airport
Southend Airport will never be a major lorry depot or delivery centre for bulk freight, Alastair Welch told a gathering of the town’s business chiefs. Mr Welch, the managing director of the airport, moved to allay residents fears about the planned expansion since the takeover by Eddie Stobart. He said their aim is to develop a regional airport which will cater for local people of while continuing maintenance and servicing of aircraft. (Echo)
Click here to view full story...
Use long haul routes or lose them says Manchester airport
Manchester Airport executives claim the city will lose existing long haul routes from Manchester Airport if passengers don’t use them enough. The airport's commercial director told airline executives that half of all travellers from the North flying to Dubai drove to Heathrow rather than fly from Manchester. The airport is considering routes to long haul destinations such as China, Malaysia, Japan, Boston and Los Angeles. (Crains)
Click here to view full story...
Brazier champions Manston Airport
Julian Brazier, Shadow Minister for Aviation, used a Parliamentary debate yesterday on Regional Airports to highlight the importance of Manston Airport’s contribution to the local economy. He said the airport was massively disused, and "Today, regional airports are struggling and it is important during the economic crisis that we support local drivers of economic growth. Manston is key in supporting the East Kent economy."
Click here to view full story...
London Gatwick Airport launches public consultation on its draft noise action plan
Gatwick Airport has launched a 16 week public consultation on its draft noise action plan. The noise action plan, which is to be published to comply with the Environmental Noise (England) Regulations 2006, is a 5 year plan that the airport has to produce, to manage noise arising from aircraft departing from and arriving at the airport. The plan will be in line with guidance issued by the DEFRA in March. (BAA)
Click here to view full story...
Information on jatropha and aviation
Some information from a variety of sources on jatropha, and its possible use as an aviation fuel in future.
Click here to view full story...
Farnborough Airport planning application to increase flights from 28,000 to 50,000 per year
The operator of Farnborough Airport - TAG - has submitted an application to increase the number of flights from 28,000 a year to 50,000. TAG carried out a public consultation on the proposed increases in January 2009. The current application is almost identical to what it proposed before the consultation. The proposals would also mean an increase in the number of weekend flights from 5,000 and 9,000, and comes after TAG won a battle to go from 2,500 to 5,000 weekend flights last year.
Click here to view full story...
Appeal Court refuses to re-open Stansted case
The application by SSE to the Court of Appeal, asking it to re-examine the legality of the Government's decision to approve permission for an extra 10 million passengers per annum on the existing Stansted runway, has been refused by Lord Justice Elias and Lord Justice Keene (presiding. SSE will not be seeking any further leave to appeal because these two highly respected judges have clarified important aspects of the unsatisfactory original ruling. (SSE)
Click here to view full story...
Cardiff Airport may be left behind in Bristol’s wake
Plans to expand Bristol Airport could leave rival Cardiff Airport further behind as the two terminals battle for passengers, a transport expert has warned. But officials at Cardiff described Bristol’s expansion plans as "just potential", with the planning application only recently launched. A transport expert argued that the Welsh Assembly Government needed to do more to market Wales to attract inbound passengers to Cardiff Airport. (Wales online)
Click here to view full story...
Luton Airport to charge £1 to drop-off passengers
Luton will begin charging drivers £1 to drop-off passengers from July 1st. Drivers will pay at barriers at the exit of the zone. They will have to stay with their vehicles while inside the drop-off zone and will have to leave it within 10 minutes. Luton already charges £1 for the use of luggage trolleys and £1 for clear plastic bags in which to take liquids through security. To save paying, drivers can leave passengers at the mid-term car park. (Times)
Click here to view full story...
Southampton Airport launches action plan to manage aircraft noise
Southampton Airport has launched a 16 week public consultation on its proposed plans to continue managing aircraft noise impacts over the next 5 years, to 2015. The airport is seeking views on its draft Noise Action Plan until 2nd October 2009. The plan will then be reviewed and, "where possible, views and comments will be incorporated into the revised plan" which will be submitted to the Secretary of State for Transport by 30th November 2009. (BAA)
Click here to view full story...
Stansted Airport runway public inquiry delayed again
A public inquiry into whether a 2nd runway should be built at Stansted was today delayed for a 2nd time, by the DCLG Secretary, John Dehham. He said, in a letter to all parties, that it was not yet "feasible nor realistic" to draw up a timetable for the probe - because the future ownership of the airport remains in question. The inquiry had already been postponed once by his predecessor Hazel Blears, and will not now take place till after the election.
Click here to view full story...
Bristol Airport planning application launched
Bristol Airport have submitted their long awaited planning application, to North Somerset Council. Their plan is to grow to handle 10 million passengers a year. The airport claims this will create more than 3,500 new jobs across the region. And they say there are measures to mitigate the impact of the airport’s activity on the local community and environment. The expansion includes expansion of the terminal to double its floor area.
Click here to view full story...
Heathrow: Taxpayers ‘could pay for runway’
MP John McDonnell has said taxpayers could end up subsidising the £9bn bill for a 3rd runway because of the "precarious" finances of the airport's operator. He was speaking amid reports on what would happen if BAA went into administration. A BAA spokesman reiterated that the cost of developing Heathrow "will be met by the private sector". Transport Minister Paul Clark didn't answer the BAA claims but insisted expansion was vital for the UK economy. (BBC)
Click here to view full story...
OFT asked to investigate alleged unfair trading practices at Stansted
Stop Stansted Expansion has written to the Office of Fair Trading asking it to investigate allegations of unfair trading practices operating at Stansted Airport in relation to its treatment of local taxi firms and small accommodation establishments such as local B&Bs and guest houses. Over the years SSE has received a number of reports alleging anti-competitive and/or unfair behaviour by BAA Stansted towards these small local businesses. (SSE)
Click here to view full story...
BAA noise action plan for Heathrow sets out no firm plans to reduce noise from aircraft
In its Noise Action Plan for Heathrow, just published for a 16 week period of public consultation, BAA has been forced to acknowledge for the first time that over 700,000 people are affected by aircraft noise from the airport, more than twice the number it previously admitted to (300,000). The action plan is described as "deeply disappointing" by HACAN, because it sets out no firm plans to reduce noise from the airport. Defra has shirked its responsibilities.
Click here to view full story...
Aviation emissions: The emperor has no clothes – but who is willing to say so?
ICAO establishing a group of 15 'wise men' (the Group on International Aviation and Climate Change, or 'Giacc') from a representative group of countries. They have draw up an action plan on aviation and climate change. This is effectively a draft of ICAO's final offering to Copenhagen. In effect it is nothing but a bunch of empty promises, with aspirational goals and no commitments. ICAO's responsibilities now need to be taken away from it. (T&E)
Click here to view full story...
Hoon exit: ‘time for Heathrow rethink’
Geoff Hoon’s resignation provides an opportunity for the Government to rethink its policy towards Heathrow expansion, according to the 2M Group. Hounslow Council’s leader, Cllr Peter Thompson, speaking on behalf of 2M said that Lord Adonis now has the chance to draw a line under the Hoon era and take a long, hard look at just how a 3rd runway squares with the Government’s key policies on climate change. They are seeking an early meeting with him. (eGov monitor)
Click here to view full story...
Aircraft to run on aviation biofuel in 3-5 years
The aviation indudustry body, the Geneva-based Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) says that within 3 - 5 years, the first drops of sustainable aviation biofuels could be entering the tanks of aircraft. In order to inform industry employees and members of the flying public about this "new age in flight", the group this week launches a new publication, The Beginner's Guide to Aviation Biofuels. (All sounds great till you consider the details). (Commodity online)
Click here to view full story...
Airlines may get subsidies to fly long-haul from Birmingham Airport
Airlines could be offered cut-price deals to operate from Birmingham when an extension to the main runway has been completed. A proposal to lure operators with subsidies for new routes emerged in a city council study into the £120 million runway extension scheme. The committee warned that adding 405 metres to the runway was not guaranteed by itself to deliver the sharp growth in long-haul flights to America, India and China. (Birmingham Post)
Click here to view full story...
Ministers ‘misled’ MPs over Heathrow
The government has been accused of misleading MPs by trying to cover up lobbying of ministers by BAA, over the expansion of Heathrow. Conservative MPs believe they were given inaccurate replies to questions in parliament about whether Lord Mandelson’s business department had met BAA to discuss expanding the airport. Justine Greening will now ask the Speaker, to investigate. Official figures now show higher illness figures around Heathrow. (Sunday Times)
Click here to view full story...
Stansted launches consultation on Noise Action Plan
Stansted Airport has today launched a 16 week public consultation on its proposed plans to continue minimising aircraft noise impacts over the next 5 years. The airport is seeking views on its proposed Noise Action Plan and will hold a series of noise briefings in local towns and villages affected by aircraft noise during August and September. The consultation will run until Friday, October 2nd 2009. (BAA)
Click here to view full story...
Cardiff Airport set for increase in passenger numbers this summer
Advance bookings for Welsh tourism operators were no better than for last year’s disastrous summer, and the native holiday industry has suffered another blow with figures showing a boost in the numbers of passengers expected to travel through Cardiff airport. The poor strength of the pound against the euro has failed to dampen holidaymakers’ enthusiasm for Europe’s destinations, like Malaga, Menorca, Alicante and Palma. (Wales online)
Click here to view full story...
Decline of 18.2% in air freight tonnage at BAA airports in May
Air cargo tonnage at BAA's airports fell in May, by a total of 18.2%. The decline was 18.9% for the London airports - with Gatwick's at 21.5% compared to May 2008. Heathrow - massively the largest airport for freight - declined by 19.2%. The decline was in line with the decline in the past few months, and no greater. Air cargo tonnage rose by 79.9% at Edinburgh - though this is only about 1.5% as much air cargo as handled by the BAA London area airports.
Click here to view full story...
Fight the Flights’ response to the Plane Stupid action at City Airport
The local community group, "Fight the Flights", for residents around London City airport have commented on today's action by Plane Stupid. They say FtF is not a direct action group, but fully appreciates the frustration the climate change activists feel in getting their voices, and concerns heard on aviation expansion. Aviation is one of the fastest growing sources of CO2 emissions. Local residents in Newham are suffering constant nuisance from the airport.
Click here to view full story...
Climate campaigners chain themselves to jet at London City airport
Five Plane Stupid campaigners dressed in pin-stripe suits and bowler hats disrupted private jet flights at London City airport by locking themselves to an aircraft. They chained themselves to the wheel of the business jet forming a human wheel clamp around one of the airport’s business jet fleet at the west end of the runway. Plane Stupid said they broke through the site's perimeter fence at around 2.30am to protest at the "selfishness of private jet use". Small jets emit 5 - 10 times more CO2 per passenger than commercial flights.
Click here to view full story...
Airlines reduce size of spoons to save fuel during recession, says IATA
Airlines are reducing the size of spoons and dropping in-flight magazines to make planes lighter and save fuel. Northwest Airlines has excluded spoons from its cutlery pack if the in-flight meal does not require one. JAL has shaved a fraction of a centimetre off all its cutlery to cut weight. Catering trolleys are becoming lighter and less water - both bottled and in the tank - is being loaded. Aircraft seats could be 30% lighter. And then biofuels. (Telegraph)
Click here to view full story...
Air pollution – Big Stink at London City Airport
Back in October, London City airport was evacuated and flights were diverted as police investigated poisonous fumes possibly coming from the ladies' loos. Now it seems the cause might not have been the drains, but the planes. The airport operates a unique parking system for aircraft with the tail exhaust pointing directly into the buildings. Not only does this pollute much of the air of east London, but staff working there report various health problems. (Guardian)
Click here to view full story...
Levy on international air travel could fund climate change fight
At the 2nd week in the latest round of UK climate talks in Bonn, it was suggested that Britain and other rich countries are asked to accept a compulsory levy on international flight tickets and shipping fuel to raise billions of dollars to help the world's poorest countries adapt to combat climate change. The aviation levy, which is expected to increase the price of long-haul fares by less than 1%, would raise £6.25bn a year. (Guardian)
Click here to view full story...
Hundreds forced to change holiday plans as Scots travel firm goes bust
Hundreds of people from across the north and north-east have been forced to change their holiday plans after a Scottish travel company went bust. ScotTravel Holidays, based at Bellshill in Lanarkshire, ceased trading on Thursday. The firm, which specialised in trips to Turkey, mainly sold holidays through travel agents, but they were also sold directly via the company’s website. (Press & Journal - Aberdeen)
Click here to view full story...
Emissions trading: public consultation on future EU ETS auctioning rules launched
A public consultation on rules to govern the future auctioning of emission allowances under the EU ETS has been launched by consultants working for the European Commission. The consultation forms part of the Commission's preparation of a Regulation on auctioning of allowances with respect to the third and later trading periods. It ends on 3rd August. From 2013 at least half of the allowances under the EU ETS will be auctioned. (eGov monitor)
Click here to view full story...
Bioenergy Makes Heavy Demands On Scarce Water Supplies
The ‘water footprint’ of bioenergy, i.e. the amount of water required to cultivate crops for biomass, is much greater than for other forms of energy. Jatropha, which is increasingly used for biomass production, has a water footprint of 20,000 litres of water on average for one litre of biodiesel, compared to 14,000 litres of water to produce one litre of biodiesel from rapeseed or soya. Research is quantifying water use. (Science Daily)
Click here to view full story...
Stansted expansion still on, says BAA
BAA last week said it remained committed to building a 2nd runway at Stansted even though it could be forced to sell the airport and could face planning inquiry delays. Stansted's commercial and development director said he was confident the £1.66bn proposal for a second runway would go ahead. Speaking at a NCE conference last week he said there is a general growth pattern in aviation, and he expects a 2nd runway will open around 2017/2018. (NCE)
Click here to view full story...
Lufthansa Cargo says night flight ban would hurt
The German state of Hesse approved in 2007 plans to expand the airport, but one condition was that flight movements were limited to an average of 17 per night between 11 pm. and 5 am. to keep noise pollution to a minimum. Lufthansa says it would require an average of 23 flights per night by 2020 for passenger transportation and cargo flights, and other operators want more. A German court may rule this week on a night flight ban. (Reuters)
Click here to view full story...
New research from HACAN challenges official Noise Action Plans
To coincide with the expected publication next week by BAA of its Noise Action Plan for Heathrow, HACAN has released statistics which show aircraft noise has become a real problem in areas many miles from the airport. Research at Vauxhall shows up to 39 planes an hour, the majority of them over 70 decibels, flew over. BAA and the Government do not accept that aircraft noise is a problem for such areas, which are not included in the Noise Action Plan.
Click here to view full story...
Government’s carbon offsetting plans exposed as con by FoE
Friends of the Earth have released a report about why offsetting is failing, and is both ineffective and damaging. Dangerous climate change will be unavoidable if the UK, EU and USA succeed in increasing the use of carbon offsetting. The report exposes carbon offsetting as a con which is failing to reduce, and in some cases is even increasing, carbon emissions. The Government is actively promoting the increased use of offsetting at the UN climate talks.
Click here to view full story...
Is your environment damaging your health? New center aims to find out
The damage that our modern living and working environment could be doing to our health will be investigated by a new 5M MRC-HPA Centre for Environment and Health at Imperial College London and King's College London. Projects planned at the new Centre include a study of people living near Heathrow, exploring how air and noise pollution can affect people's health. It will analyse the effects of living near road traffic from airport uses as well as planes. (GEN)
Click here to view full story...
Air France plane: ‘No hope’ of survivors
An Air France Airbus A330 has disappeared between Brazil and France with 228 people on board -126 were men, 82 women and 8 children. If no survivors are found it will be the worst loss of life involving an Air France plane in its 75-year history. The officials believe the Airbus A330-200 aircraft crashed after running into lightning and thunderstorms and turbulence over the Atlantic Ocean. A combination of circumstances may have caused the crash. (Guardian)
Click here to view full story...
Gatwick bidders get second shot at airport
Bidders shut out of the Gatwick auction could re-enter the fray after Manchester Airports Group, the frontrunner, held talks about enlarging its bidding consortium. It is understood that MAG has discussed teaming with Global Infrastructure Partners, and Lysander, a consortium made up of Citi Infrastructure, Vancouver Airport and John Hancock Life Insurance. MAG would welcome a 4th partner in a consortium with two other members. (Observer)
Click here to view full story...
Climate Change Turning Seas Acid, Academies Warn
Climate change is turning the oceans more acid in a trend that could endanger everything from clams to coral and be irreversible for thousands of years. 70 academies from around the world urged governments meeting in Bonn for climate talks to take more account of risks to the oceans in a new UN treaty for fighting global warming due to be agreed in Copenhagen in December. Rising acidity causes problems for coral and for shell formation. (Reuters)
Click here to view full story...
Birmingham Airport urged to drop plans for second runway
Campaigners have called for Birmingham Airport to forever banish all plans for a 2nd runway. Chris Crean,(West Midlands FoE), and Gerald Kells (CPRE), asked for assurances from the airport during the Examination in Public into the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy. They were calling for an amendment to the draft document which appears to give local authorities the option to "safeguard" land near the airport that could be used for a 2nd runway.(Post)
Click here to view full story...
Grassohol offers solution to biofuel conundrum
Scientists in Wales are developing a new transport fuel made from grass in an attempt to avoid the problems associated with existing biofuels. The £1 million 'Grassohol' research project aims to produce commercially and economically viable ethanol from perennial ryegrass - the most commonly sown grass in the UK which is normally used for grazing or silage. They hope it contribute to renewable energy targets. (Transport Briefing)
Click here to view full story...
The curse of Heathrow’s Terminal 5 strikes again as foundations begin to swell
The state-of-the-art £4.3billion building, used by British Airways, has been hit by a form of subsidence that is gradually pushing it upwards. The phenomenon, known as heave, is caused by swelling of the notoriously troublesome London Clay on which the terminal is built. Tiles have reportedly had to be repaired and experts have been called in to assess the situation. The movement is unlikely to be a short-term issue. (Mail)
Click here to view full story...
London City Airport firm in lead for Gatwick
GIP, which already owns London City Airport, is facing competition for Gatwick from Manchester Airports Group, which is bidding jointly with Canadian pension fund Borealis. BAA may not want a rival airport operator such as Manchester to buy Gatwick as it might turn it into a threat to Heathrow. BAA said that the sales process was ongoing, and they may try to delay the sales process until economic conditions improve, the sources say. (Sunday Express)
Click here to view full story...
Biofuels Digest Special Report on Aviation Biofuels: Military Aviation
The US military is the world’s largest consumer of fuel at a rate of more than 340,000 barrels per day and $13.6 billion per year. The United States Air Force has set a goal of producing 50% of its fuels by alternative means by 2016. Current biodiesel fuels are 25% lower in energy density than JP-8 and exhibit unacceptable cold- flow features at the lower extreme of the required JP-8 operating temperature range (minus 50 degrees F).
Click here to view full story...
Aviation biofuel proves itself in tests, but is there enough?
Boeing, Virgin Atlantic, New Zealand Air, Continental Airlines and Japan Airlines, along with GE Aircraft Engines, have conducted four tests using a mixture of biofuel and regular jet fuel over the past 15 months. The planes involved included wide-body 747s and single-aisle 737s. The biofuels included blends of babassu, sustainably grown coconut oil, jatropha, algae and camelina. But how quickly can biofuels be produced to fuel planes. (McClatchy)
Click here to view full story...
BAA Won’t Sell Gatwick If Bids Are Too Low – CEO
BAA is in talks with multiple interested parties over the sale of London's Gatwick Airport but won't sell the asset if bids are too low, its chief executive has said. Colin Matthews, said "Most people have an interest to talk down the company and say this is a forced sale so they can push down the price. We don't have to sell below a certain price," He declined to say what price the airport operator was seeking. (WSJ)
Click here to view full story...
BAA Won’t Sell Gatwick If Bids Are Too Low – CEO
BAA is in talks with multiple interested parties over the sale of London's Gatwick Airport but won't sell the asset if bids are too low, its chief executive has said. Colin Matthews, said "Most people have an interest to talk down the company and say this is a forced sale so they can push down the price. We don't have to sell below a certain price," He declined to say what price the airport operator was seeking. (WSJ)
Click here to view full story...
Biofuels Digest Special Report on Aviation Biofuels: Airlines
Biofuels Digest goes through a range of airlines, and where they have got to on biofuels. BA said it would test 4 alternative fuels for a trial in a Rolls Royce test bed early next year. Japan Air Lines conducted a one-hour 747-300 flight test using a B50 blend of camelina, jatropha and algae based biofuel in 1 engine in January. Lufthansa said that it would convert up to 10% of its fuel usage to biofuels by 2020 - and Air France-KLM want to use algae oil.
Click here to view full story...
Launch of the Eat Seasonably campaign
A new campaign called "Eat Seasonably" has just been launched. Its aim is to get people to be aware of what foods are seasonal (many have lost all idea of what is in season, as it all appears on the supermarket shelves almost every month). The campaign is very relevant in helping people to choose foods with a lower carbon footprint, avoiding either products that have been grown in greenhouses, in cold climates using heating, or been air freighted.
Click here to view full story...
Public health doctors argue the case against expanding Bristol’s Airport
Dr Angela E Raffle and the West of England Public Health Climate Change Group have concluded that expansion of Bristol airport will increase the amount of aircraft noise and the volume of traffic and congestion through local communities. This will damage health, wellbeing and education for a sizeable proportion of those living nearby. When balanced against any positive health effects, the negative effects are greater. (This is Bristol)
Click here to view full story...
Airlines set to suffer steep decline in May – says IATA
The rate of decline in demand for air travel slowed in April, but preliminary data for European airlines suggests a renewed steep fall during May. Bisignani said "the worst may be over. However, we have not seen any signs that recovery is imminent." Air cargo shipments showed a year-on-year drop of 21.7% in April, the 5th successive month more than 20% down. Air France-KLM, Lufthansa and BA have reported operating losses for the first quarter of 2009. (FT)
Click here to view full story...
What is the real climate impact of flying and what can we do about it? (BBC info)
The BBC has produced an excellent page, setting out a great deal of information on the climate change impacts of aviation. Well worth a look. It is at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/bloom/guides/flying.shtml
Click here to view full story...
Demand Decline slows – But No Recovery in Sight
IATA released international traffic data for April showing a 21.7% fall in cargo demand compared to April 2008. Freight demand had its 5th consecutive month at more than 20% below previous year levels. Middle Eastern carriers were -11.1%. European, North American, Asia-Pacific and African carriers had similar performance of -23.3%, -22.4%, -22.3% and –18.8% respectively. Latin American carriers were the worst performers at -24.2%. (IATA)
Click here to view full story...
Southend Airport expansion plan could be in jeopardy
Expansion plans for Southend Airport could be in jeopardy, as council bosses are set to abandon its support for the scheme. There have been thousands of objections to the Joint Area Action Plan consultation, which proposes a major expansion of the airport, together with the runway extension across Eastwoodbury Lane. There have been packed public meetings, and the councils now realise that it could be political suicide to support expansion. (Echo)
Click here to view full story...
Action on wind farm radar threat to aircraft
NATS is seeking a solution to the potentially disastrous problem of commercial and military aircraft disappearing in radar blackout zones caused by wind farms. They have asked an American defence company to design a system to allow radar to see through wind farm interference. The cost of the £5 million project is expected to be picked up by the wind energy industry. Wind farm turbines create a Doppler effect which shows up on radar screens. (Times)
Click here to view full story...
Business leaders question 3rd runway plan for Heathrow Airport
In the last fortnight, however, he has found himself in the same camp as tree-huggers and the Conservative Party as an opponent of the proposed third runway at Heathrow. Mr Cheshire is one of the 13 heavyweight signatories of an open letter urging the Government to rethink its Heathrow expansion plans – debunking the myth that business is squarely behind the 3rd runway. They want a proper debate before deciding to double the concrete at Heathrow. (Telegraph)
Click here to view full story...
Perishables Challenge – Industry Economics
Being able to buy fresh produce or just picked flowers whenever we want them is no longer just "Nice To Have." We expect it. We demand it. We want those long stem roses for Valentine's Day in the middle of February, fresh strawberries dipped in chocolate for the festive New Year's celebration, and Scottish salmon or Chilean Sea Bass.well, always. And we can still get them - but at what price? Feature on air freighting perishables. (Air Cargo World)
Click here to view full story...
Airlines ask BAA to cut back on Gatwick improvements
With passenger numbers dwindling and a new owner due soon, Gatwick's carriers are concerned that they will be stuck with a £900m bill. BA, easyJet and Ryanair have urged BAA to cut back work on its £900m improvement scheme after warning that the project is futile in the face of dwindling passenger numbers. Airlines have demanded curbs in the programme because they will have to pass on the costs to recession-hit passengers through fare increases. (Guardian)
Click here to view full story...
AIR CARGO MARKET HAS PROBABLY HIT BOTTOM – IATA
A decline in the air cargo freight market following the international financial crisis seems to have hit bottom, according to the head of IATA. He said the market had at least been stabilising at levels around 20% lower than a year ago. IATA said the global aviation industry would aim at improving fuel efficiency by 25% by 2020 compared with 2005, using 10% alternative fuels by 2017. It was targeting a 50% absolute reduction in emissions by 2050. (Reuters)
Click here to view full story...
Sipson is the new Chelsea – Flower Show plants moved to Heathrow
Residents and activists teamed up on Bank Holiday Monday to transplant hundreds of plants from this year’s Chelsea Flower show, under the expert eyes of a top Chelsea garden designer, and guerrilla gardeners. By the end of the day, Sipson, Harmondsworth and Harlington were all blooming, in colourful defiance of BAA's plans. There were even strawberries and nasturtiums to help fill the vegetable plots on the Airplot allotment as well. (Greenpeace)
Click here to view full story...
Aviation now contributes 4.9% of climate change worldwide
Work by the IPCC now estimates that aviation accounted for 4.9% of man-made climate impacts in 2005. This contrasts with the 2% figure that is constantly quoted by aviation lobbyists, and 3% which the same authors quoted two years ago. They have now revised their estimates with 2 important changes: including for the first time estimates of cirrus cloud formation and allowing for aviation growth between 2000 and 2005. The effect of these is to increase aviation’s impacts to 3.5% without cirrus and 4.9% including cirrus. (AEF)
Click here to view full story...
Heathrow third runway a mistake, says Lord Stern
The decision to allow a 3rd runway at Heathrow was a mistake, according to Lord Stern - one of the government's most senior advisers on the economics of climate change. He said if the decision had been properly considered in light of the UK's climate targets, he thought it would not have been granted and we cannot have an ambitious carbon policy and then take a decision like that on Heathrow, without a much tighter relationship with that policy. (Guardian)
Click here to view full story...
BAA seeks delay in 2nd Stansted runway inquiry
The government's airport expansion policy was dealt a further blow after BAA asked for the postponement of a planning inquiry into a 2nd Stansted runway. If the request is granted, there will be little chance of a new runway being built in south-east England before 2020, with planning inquiries into expanding Stansted and Heathrow unable to go ahead until after the general election. BAA said the Competition Commission has made life difficult for them. (Guardian)
Click here to view full story...
BAA seeks further delay on 2nd runway inquiry – SSE condemns as "outrageous and wholly unacceptable"
Stop Stansted Expansion has condemned as outrageous a request by BAA for the Public Inquiry into its plans for a 2nd runway to be put on hold for what could turn out to be a period of 3 years. The proposal was made by BAA in a letter on 20 May to the Sec of State for Communities and Local Government, Hazel Blears. BAA has asked that the inquiry be deferred pending the outcome of its appeal against the Competition Commission’s ruling that it must sell Stansted. (SSE)
Click here to view full story...
‘Risks’ to aircraft over Norfolk – Norwich
Air traffic controllers at Norwich airport are warning of "unacceptable risks" to aircraft flying in the skies over Norfolk. The airport, which handles half a million passengers each year, admits it's having difficulties delivering "safe" air traffic control. There have been 5 so called "near misses" in the past 3 years; and 68 incidents of conflict in the air - some involving military jets. The airport wants a 25-mile long controlled airspace. (BBC)
Click here to view full story...
Setback for Ferrovial as Gatwick bidder quits
Ferrovial's hopes of securing a higher price for Gatwick have been hit by the withdrawal of one of its two remaining bidders. The departure of Global Infrastructure Partners from the current sale process leaves the Spanish infrastructure group with only one remaining offer, from a consortium led by Manchester Airports Group and Borealis, the Canadian infrastructure fund. BAA must repay £1bn of its existing bank debt in March next year. (FT)
Click here to view full story...
BAA to challenge airport break-up
BAA says it will appeal against the decision by the Competition Commission ordering it to sell 3 airports. The commission told BAA in March that it must sell Gatwick and Stansted and either Edinburgh or Glasgow. BAA said the ruling did not take into account current economic conditions, and the commission's report was "affected by apparent bias". BAA has raised questions about Professor Peter Moizer, one of 6Competition Commission panelists. (BBC)
Click here to view full story...
GIP’s Gatwick Bid of More Than $2 Billion Said to Be Rejected
It is rumoured that Global Infrastructure Partners, the owner of London City airport, which made a £1.3 billion to £1.4 billion bid for Gatwick airport was rejected by BAA. Sources said the fully financed offer was turned down May 17 on the grounds that it was too low, BAA was seeking at least £1.5 billion, and said BAA it planned to appeal a UK antitrust ruling forcing it to sell 3 airports by 2011 because it didn’t take account of the recession. (Bloomberg)
Click here to view full story...
Stop Stansted Expansion launches practical guide to reporting aircraft noise nuisance
A new leaflet setting out details of how to complain about aircraft noise is launched this week by Stop Stansted Expansion. The practically-oriented guide is designed to help people affected by noise from planes using Stansted to report their concerns in a way which will help lead to improvements to noise management and better track keeping in future. It could also lead to fines being imposed on airlines where they break noise and track keeping rules. (SSE)
Click here to view full story...
Heathrow State BAA takeover plans
Heathrow could be taken under State control under emergency powers designed to protect passengers from the financial woes of BAA. Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon has drawn up plans to place Heathrow in a "special administration" regime if debt-laden BAA went bust. It would also give Hoon and the Civil Aviation Authority a direct say in the future ownership of the airport. Similar emergency powers are held for the rail and water firms. (Daily Express)
Click here to view full story...
Airline scraps Manchester to London City route
Belgian-based VLM has ended services between Manchester and London City Airport. The airline, part of Air France/ KLM group, also flies to both Antwerp and Rotterdam from Manchester, but those services have not been affected. The route has been heavily loss-making and, a spokesman said they are impeded by unfair competition from a subsidised rail network and airline ticket taxes that often make up over 50% of the overall fare. (Crains)
Click here to view full story...
Crossrail gets out of the sidings after two decades
Work has started on a new railway under London that will transform travel across the capital. Crossrail, which joins east and west London, is finally getting built after 20 years of wrangling and at a cost of at least £16 billion. Crossrail will be capable of operating 24 trains an hour at peak, and includes a spur line to Heathrow, and improve links to the airport. It will be funded by central government, TfL and the private sector. (Standard)
Click here to view full story...
Heathrow Airport Activists In ‘Euroflashmob’
Flash mob protesters descended on Heathrow to sing against airport expansion in a Eurovision-themed demonstration. On the day of the Eurovision song contest, activists wearing bright red 'Stop Airport Expansion' T-shirts gathered at Terminal 1 while similar protests took place at Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin and Paris. Emphasising the plight of the villagers of Sipson, protesters performed an adaptation of the 1996 hit, "Just a Little Bit", by Gina G. Waving European flags, they sang: "Ooh ahh - no 3rd runway, ooh ahh, we don't want more, ooh ahh - saving Sipson, It's a fight you can't ignore." (Sky)
Click here to view full story...
DfT produces analysis of the end-to-end journey of UK air freight
The DfT has published its end to end analysis for air freight in the UK. It is a 56 page document, containing a great deal of information about air freight in the UK, over past decades, and projections into the future. The document focuses mainly on Heathrow - the largest cargo airport in the UK, and East Midlands, which has the most express courier services. (DfT publication)
Click here to view full story...
Case made for Inverness to Heathrow link
The Commons Transport committee will be urged to back calls for the restoration of direct air links between Inverness and Heathrow. It is conducting an inquiry into "The Future of Aviation" and may want to support the proposition that airports on the periphery, like Inverness and Aberdeen, should receive favourable treatment at the UK’s main hub compared with closer regional airports with quicker ground transport routes to London. (Press & Journal)
Click here to view full story...
‘Pay-as-you-go’ puts Stobart in fast lane
Stobart said underlying profits surged last year as the recession forced retailers to turn to cheaper distributors. Stobart also confirmed that it would buy Carlisle airport in north-west England, where it hopes to build a distribution centre. In December, it bought Southend airport, where it plans to extend the terminal and build a new railway station this year, and may provide passenger services. (FT)
Click here to view full story...
TV’s Richard Briers and Alys Fowler help Garden Organic to plant allotment on proposed Heathrow runway site
Good Life actor Richard Briers and Gardeners' World presenter Alys Fowler have joined the fight against a 3rd runway at Heathrow by planting an allotment on the proposed runway site. The land in Sipson was bought by Greenpeace in November and is now owned by 45,000 of its members including Emma Thompson, Zac Goldsmith and Alistair McGowan. A joint venture between Garden Organic and Greenpeace aims to make use of the land to grow vegetables. (Greenpeace)
Click here to view full story...
BAA positive about 328 yard runway extension – Aberdeen
BAA bosses insist they are still confident that the proposed runway extension at Aberdeen will go ahead, despite falling passenger numbers and the deepening recession. BAA is investing £10 million in an initial runway extension of 328 yards and an expanded international arrivals hall. The first phase of the programme, which is already under way, involves a bigger customs and immigration hall and baggage reclaim facilities. (Press & Journal)
Click here to view full story...
Luton airport shelves drop-off charges
The "kiss and drop" charges were due to come into force last month but have been put on hold until further notice. Luton would have been the first airport in the country to charge for dropping off passengers outside the terminal, although Birmingham forces everyone to use the nearby short-stay car park. (Telegraph)
Click here to view full story...
Manston records £4 million loss
Kent International Airport at Manston has filed losses of £4 million for the last financial year. And numbers flying from Thanet are not expected to increase this year, either. But people campaigning to stop the airport at Lydd being forced to expand have seized on the loss, suggesting that any air traffic expansion should be at Manston. CAA statistics show the Manston's operation handled 11,657 passengers in 2008, compared with Lydd’s 1,673 passengers.
Click here to view full story...