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Latest news stories:
Heathrow to cost 70 social homes
The expansion of Heathrow will mean 70 council homes will be demolished and many more affected by noise and disruption. Hillingdon Council confirmed that about one in ten of the 700 homes earmarked to be bulldozed in Sipson and Harmondsworth will be social housing, run by arm’s-length management organisation Hillingdon Homes. The council said it was prepared for increased demand for social housing and temporary housing. (Inside Housing)
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Third runway shows what our leaders believe in
Agreement on a 3rd runway at Heathrow may become, literally, one of the most costly environmental decisions ever made. It sets a trajectory for aviation to emit more than a third of the UK's greenhouse gas emission quota by the middle of this century. This will limit the options for growth of our domestic industries, energy infrastructure and agriculture. It will also seriously damage our international standing on climate policy. (Scotsman)
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Frankfurt To Get Fourth Runway With Limits
Frankfurt's international airport has been cleared for expansion by Hesse's Administrative Supreme Court. The airport can soon begin to build a 4th runway north of the current airport perimeter with an opening date of 2012. Fraport and Lufthansa also have to deal with the court's preliminary statement that the planned night flight restrictions are not far reaching enough. The 4th runway will only be used for landings to take into account noise, (Aviation Week)
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A bit of history. IATA Welcomes Decision on Frankfurt’s 4th Runway. January 2009
Frankfurt's international airport has been cleared for expansion by Hesse's Administrative Supreme Court. The airport can soon begin to build a fourth runway north of the current airport perimeter with an opening date of 2012. It will only be used for landings. Fraport and main operator Lufthansa also have to deal with the court's preliminary statement that the planned night flight restrictions are not far reaching enough. A 3rd terminal is planned. (Various)
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Heathrow runway ready by 2015 under new laws
The new runway could be built 5 years earlier than expected as Government rushes the process to prevent opponents from blocking it. The £9 billion expansion, which will increase Heathrow’s capacity by almost 50%, is likely to be one of the first considered by the Infrastructure Planning Commission, due to be appointed this year. The inquiry will be much shorter and simply consider whether the application complies with Government aviation policy. (Times)
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BAA given Heathrow runway deadline
BAA must accelerate its plan to build a 3rd runway at Heathrow under government proposals. Ministers said the 3rd runway should come into operation as soon as possible after 2015. Both BAA and BA had insisted a 3rd runway was unlikely to be in use before 2020. Hoon wants it brought forward to be operational "early in the period between 2015 and 2020". It is likely to take up to 2 years to prepare the planning application. The cost is estimated at £9bn. (FT)
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MP John McDonnell is suspended to the cheers of an admiring kingdom
Fists clenched, John McDonnell advanced down the Commons gangway towards Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon and was so darn angry, his jaw twitching with such (completely understandable) fury, that for a moment I thought, ‘oh boy, he’s going to hit him -he’s going to thwup Hoon on the hooter!’ Sadly it did not quite come to that, richly though the evasive Hoon deserved it. (Quentin Letts in the Daily Mail).
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DfT releases Heathrow consultation responses – showing an overwhelming NO
The public overwhelmingly said "No" to Heathrow expansion during the Government consultation held last year. Of the nearly 70,000 consultation responses, only a little over 8,000 wanted any form of expansion. That is just 11%. Noise and air pollution were the biggest concerns, with nearly half the respondents expressing worries about these issues. There were 306 responses from aviation and airline companies but only 241 from all other businesses. (HACAN)
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Geoff Hoon’s ministerial statement on Heathrow on 15th January
The Department for Transport have released the text of Geoff Hoon's statement in the Commons, and also the results of the consultation last year. Full text available.
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Heathrow protesters smash glass doors at Department for Transport
A group protesting against the Government's decision to expand Heathrow have smashed glass doors at the DfT. The group, which calls itself The Climate Suffragettes, said 3 women wearing red sashes hurled bricks at the doors of the Westminster building at 4am. The bricks were wrapped in notes that read: "No third runway, the Suffra-jets are back." The DfT confirmed that a window was broken at the Department's Great Minster House corner reception. (Telegraph)
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Stop Stansted Expansion demonstration at 2nd Runway Inquiry meeting
People from across the region will demonstrate their opposition to plans for a ‘quick and dirty’ public inquiry into BAA’s planning application for a 2nd runway at Stansted Airport. Their protest will be at the start of an Inquiry Programming Meeting on Monday, 19 January. There will be a colourful display to make clear to the inquiry Inspector,that the Inquiry must not be rushed through and must be subject to a thorough, fair and transparent process. (SSE)
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Opponents vow to fight plan for Heathrow third runway
A coalition of opposition parties, protesters and green groups are warning there will be a long and bitter struggle to secure the expansion of Heathrow after giving the go-ahead to controversial plans for a third runway. Environmental groups dismissed a string of last-minute concessions won by cabinet ministers who had doubts about the £9bn project. Opponents said Gordon Brown's reputation on green issues was in tatters. (Independent)
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Hoon gives go-ahead for new Heathrow runway
Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon has told MPs in Parliament that the government has approved plans to build a 3rd runway. The Cranford agreement will end. The Tories called it a "bleak day for the environment" and said they would "fight it every step of the way". the debate was halted when local Labour MP John McDonnell shouted "disgrace" as the transport secretary said MPs would not get a vote on the decision. After refusing requests to end his protest he was ordered out of the Commons and suspended for a week. (BBC)
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New runway will swallow up the village of Sipson
Expansion plans will mean Heathrow gaining another runway but losing an entire village. The community of Sipson will cease to be once work on the building of the third runway begins. All told, 700 properties will be lost to the runway, which will be sited to the north of the existing runways and which will be 2,406 yards in length. (Indy)
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Heathrow decision – “The Decision of the Dinosaurs”
HACAN has condemned the Government’s decision to give the green light to Heathrow expansion, and believe opponents have won the environmental, social and economic arguments against it. There will be fury at this decision which flies in the face of the facts, and will mean campaigners will re-double their efforts to stop expansion. People will fight the Government in the courts, in their communities, in town halls and maybe even on the Heathrow runway tarmac.
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Heathrow third runway ‘gets go-ahead’
Ministers have approved the plan to build a 3rd runway, the BBC understands. Despite opposition from residents, environmental campaigners and many of its own MPs, Labour is set to confirm the decision officially on Thursday. Critics say it will irreparably damage the UK's credentials on tackling climate change. Gordon Brown said that should the government give the go-ahead, there would be a debate in Parliament and that the scheme would have to be granted planning permission. (BBC)
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Liverpool John Lennon airport growth ‘is vital’
The government has been urged to back the expansion of Liverpool John Lennon airport or risk thousands of jobs. Lobby group FlyingMatters supports growth in aviation and claims to represent trade unions, businesses, tourism groups, farmers in the developing world and the aviation industry. The JLA plan included up to 12.3m extra passengers a year and growth in freight to 220,000 tonnes a year. (Echo)
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The Big Question: Will the latest Heathrow protest halt the development of a third runway?
The Independent has a long article, summing up a lot of the Heathrow issues. It has sections on: Why are we asking this now? What do Greenpeace intend to do with the land? What are the concerns of the opponents? Are there any other obstacles to expansion? Is there any other opposition? Who is supporting a third runway? Is it likely to go ahead? So will formal support from the Government be the end to it? How about a Thames estuary airport instead? etc
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Third runway rebels hear from the whips
Government whips have embarked on a "ring round" to put pressure on rebel Labour MPs not to join forces with the Tories in a Commons vote opposing a 3rd runway at Heathrow. As the cabinet discussed the expansion of Heathrow at its weekly meeting yesterday, the rebel MPs said they were prepared to ignore a government 3-line whip and vote with the Conservatives. Cameron is expected to devote one of the Tories' opposition day debates to the issue. (Guardian)
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A runway for jobs? It’s time aviation’s bluff was called
"I would flatten rare toads for growth - but for all the airline lobby's cant, there is no wider economic case for expanding Heathrow", says Simon Jenkins. The BAA lobby has conned the CBI, London First and even the unions into believing the 3rd runway is needed for the economy, fobbing them off with a factoid that the runway would "create 50,000 jobs". So would rebuilding mental health infrastructure, which would thus also be "good for business".(Guardian)
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The end of their world – some of those whose lives will be devastated by the 3rd runway
At least 700 homes will be destroyed if Heathrow airport gets its third runway. Thousands of other people will be severely affected. Patrick Barkham meets some of those who have most to fear. Jack Clark, Geraldine Nicholson, Edna La Mothe, John Hobbs and Jenine Langrish say how it will change their lives. (Guardian)
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Heathrow: anxiety grips Labour backbenchers – decision may be delayed
MPs warn that seats would be endangered and the government's environmental credibility destroyed if expansion went ahead. A decision on controversial plans to build a 3rd runway could be put off again. Brown raised the prospect of a delay when he agreed to a meeting with Labour backbenchers to discuss their concerns. The Prime Minister is facing a major rebellion on the issue, with more than 40 of his MPs publicly demanding the plans be dropped.
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Protesters buy up Heathrow land
Land the size of half a football pitch - earmarked for the construction of the 3rd runway - near Sipson was bought by a Greenpeace coalition, which has pledged not to sell the land to the government or BAA if the airport expansion gets the go-ahead. Greenpeace director John Sauven said: "We've thrown a massive spanner in the engine driving Heathrow expansion." Anyone wanting to do so can become a Beneficial Owner - see details (BBC and Greenpeace)
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Airport bosses back aviation jobs campaign – Doncaster
Doncaster Robin Hood Airport are backing a campaign which they claim could create thousands of new jobs in the region. Flying Matters, a pro-aviation coalition, has launched an industry-wide bid to encourage politicians to support continued airport modernisation and development around the UK, claiming it will bring work to the UK and Doncaster. The airport has recently applied to lift certain nightime restrictions to help attract freight business. (Star)
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Northern Climate Rush at Manchester airport
On Monday 12th January "picnics" were held in the Departure Lounges of both Heathrow and Manchester Airports, to mark the Government's imminent announcement on a 3rd Runway at Heathrow, and airport expansion generally. In Manchester there were approximately 40 people sitting down, there were at least 70 officers of Her Majesty's Greater Manchester Constabulary. There were picnic hampers, dancing and general merriment.
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Lobbyists raise pressure on Heathrow
Even if the government approves the £9bn scheme, BAA say a 3rd runway is unlikely to be in operation before 2020. Business is pressing the government to allow more intensive use of the existing 2 runways first. Lobby groups say that initial extra capacity should be used to improve existing operations rather than adding flights. Some, including London First, say the punctuality of services should be improved before airlines expand their networks. (FT)
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Hundreds of green campaigners hold picnic protest at Heathrow in opposition to third runway plans
Environmental protesters last night gathered at Heathrow - for a picnic. Hundreds of campaigners sat down at Terminal 1 to enjoy cakes and sandwiches as part of a peaceful demonstration against expansion at the west London airport. Backed by a string quartet, the demonstrators sought to emulate the Suffragette movement, making their point in a civilised fashion. A similar anti-expansion protest at Manchester Airport's Terminal 3 took place at the same time. (Mail)
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Protesters hail ‘colourful and fun’ anti-Heathrow demonstration
Hundreds of anti-expansion protesters held a "colourful and fun protest" at Heathrow ahead of the Government’s decision on a proposed 3rd runway. Climate Rush, which organised the Dinner at Domestic Departures, said between 300 and 400 protesters, many in Edwardian costume, descended on Terminal 1 ahead of this week’s expected announcement on whether a third runway will be allowed. It was a peaceful, good natured but very determined protest evening.
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Emma Thompson joins forces with Greenpeace to buy Heathrow runway land
The actress Emma Thompson, Alastair McGowan and Zac Goldsmith have joined forces with Greenpeace to buy an area of land in the middle of the site proposed for a third runway at Heathrow. The buyers hope the move will block the airport's expansion. If BAA get the go-ahead to build a runway, the Government could make a compulsary purchase. Greenpeace have vowed to fight any attempt to buy the land and point to years of experience. (Telegraph)
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‘Back Heathrow’s third runway and safeguard over 200,000 jobs’, urges Unite
The UK's leading union is urging the Government to give the green light to the construction of a 3rd runway at Heathrow. The call comes amid "mounting frustration" that the go-ahead to modernise Heathrow, the UK's only international hub airport, has been delayed. Unite is concerned delay further damages Heathrow's reputation and leaves 172,000 workers uncertain about their future. They claim expansion would create 50,000 jobs. (Unite press release)
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How I became an eco-warrior – Rebecca Frayn
Rebecca is a writer, who with a group of friends and fellow mothers co-founded We CAN (Climate Action Now). They organised a candlelit vigil on Westminster Green before storming the House of Commons in October with Climate Rush and closing the DfT for an hour in November. Now with Climate Rush We Can are taking part in a dinner party in the domestic departures lounge of Heathrow tonight at 7pm to protest against the airport's expansion. (Guardian comment)
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Pro Heathrow Runway Campaigners Take Out Ads
Airline chiefs have joined business leaders and trade unionists in calling for a 3rd runway at Heathrow. In newspaper adverts they say it is vital for jobs, economic growth, investment and the long-term competitiveness of the UK's economy. The runway supporters are members of "Future Heathrow", which believes that the current economic conditions only underscore the need to take decisions now that would help safeguard the UK's economic future. (Yahoo news)
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Go-ahead for development will intensify debate on air quality and noise pollution
The widely expected approval of a 2rd runway at Heathrow this week will not end the heated debate over the environmental consequences. According to government policy, a new runway and an increase in flights on the existing runways must meet 3 criteria: EU air quality guidelines, noise pollution limits and better public transport links. The 3rd runway would have to operate far below capacity for the first 10 years to avoid breaching noise limits. (Guardian)
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Labour rebels opposed to third runway give backing to new airport in Thames estuary
Rebel Labour MPs are stepping up their campaign against a proposed 3rd runway at Heathrow, which could be approved by the government this week, by backing plans for a new London airport. A cross-party parliamentary group will be launched this week to promote the construction of an airport on the Thames estuary. The proposal, which would divert flights away from London, was mooted by Boris Johnson, but is gathering support against. (Guardian)
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Public Back High-Speed Rail over Heathrow Expansion by Four to One: New Poll
A poll of 1,000 UK adults, carried out by ICM on 19th and 21st December, shows that - when asked which option between a new high speed rail link, or expanding Heathrow - 18% went for Expanded Heathrow and 74% for New high speed rail link. This was in answer to the question: "Which option do you think would be better for Britain – an expanded Heathrow or a new high speed rail link?" (Woodnewton Associates)
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Heathrow Airport rail bid to raise £10m
Arup sets up Heathrow Hub project as politicians unite over radical transport scheme. Plans for a high-speed rail link from London to the north via Heathrow have taken a step forward with the formation of a development company to start work on the project. Heathrow Hub has been set up by Arup. The plan would see a TGV-style rail line running west of London via Heathrow and then turning north -and has gained impetus due to the public backing of senior politicians. (Times)
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Real battle begins over 3rd runway at Heathrow
The expected announcement from Brown that the runway is to go ahead will lead to fierce fighting between politicians, businessmen, environmentalists and residents near the airport. Labour MPs will turn against each other and Conservative MPs will squabble over how best to make political capital out of the dispute – and what is the best alternative to Heathrow expansion. Environmentalists concerned by the damage airport expansion causes are expected to step up their demonstrations, including militant protests. (Telegraph)
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‘Bullying’ BAA tries to scare off protesters
Politicians are accusing BAA of "bullying" after it sent a warning letter to those due to take part in a mass protest at Heathrow tomorrow. John McDonnell MP and Caroline Lucas MEP say they were outraged to be sent such a thinly disguised threat. The letter said: "While we respect people's right to protest, we also have a duty to ensure that thousands of passengers can go about their lawful business within our airport on that day..... and more. (Observer)
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Heathrow’s third runway to fall foul of EU rules
Heathrow's controversial third runway (probably) due to be given the green light by ministers this week (Thursday?) is unlikely ever to be built because it will fall foul of new European pollution laws. Neither anti-runway campaigners nor the Environment Agency see how EU air quality standards can possibly be met if the number of flights rises by 50% as planned. Plans for the 3rd runway will be presented as a New Deal-style series of public works. (Indy)
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More people used London’s airports in 2000 than used all the Paris airports in 2007
So Where’s the Competition? New research challenges the view that, unless Heathrow expands, business will go elsewhere in Europe. In 2007 a combined total of 139 million passengers used Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and City airports - compared with 88 million using all the Paris airports, London’s closest rival. More passengers fly in and out of London than any other city on earth, giving it some of the best air connections in the world. (Hacan)
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Heathrow runway ‘white elephant’
A third runway at Heathrow will be a "white elephant" unless aviation is made greener, a think tank has said. The Institute of Public Policy Research said if the runway is approved, conditions for meeting noise and emissions targets must be attached. It is understood that Boris Johnson will lead a legal challenge if the scheme is agreed, as the proposed runway would put the health of Londoners at risk and blight communities under the flight path. (BBC)
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Heathrow expansion will undermine climate targets
Friends of the Earth is deeply concerned that the expansion of Heathrow and other British airports will make it extremely difficult for the UK to meet its legal requirement to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050. The environmental campaign group is calling on the Government to scrap all of its airport expansion plans and urgently bring aviation policy in line with the latest climate science and the requirements of UK climate law. (FoE)
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Brown poised to face down Heathrow opposition
Gordon Brown is poised to face down Cabinet opposition and back the building of a third runway at Heathrow. On Monday, a powerful coalition of business groups and unions will urge Brown to publicly announce the go-ahead for the airport’s expansion. More than 50 Labour MPs and several Cabinet ministers oppose the new runway. Mr Brown believes that large infrastructure projects are crucial to boosting employment in Britain during the recession. (Telegraph)
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‘Heathrow is a monster. It must be fed’ – John Stewart interview
For a decade, John Stewart has fought the 3rd runway, creating one of the most formidable civil coalitions Britain has seen. Next week, world crises permitting, No 10 will give permission for an application to be made to build the runway - but John is getting on with scuppering the project. More than 20 local authorities, 6 unions, environmental NGOs, 50 rebel Labour MPs and all the opposition political parties are now opposed to the expansion. (Guardian)
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Tory plan to scrap new runways at Heathrow and Stansted could cost billions
A future Conservative government would use new legislative powers to block the expansion of Heathrow and Stansted airports, which could leave taxpayers liable for multibillion-pound compensation payments to the contractors and BAA. A planning application for Heathrow won't be submitted until 2011, 6 months after the last possible date Brown can hold a general election. If Labour lost, the Tories would have time to draft a new policy ruling out a new runway. (Guardian)
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Heathrow terminal faces blockade by activists posing as passengers
A mass protest against a third runway at Heathrow could cause hundreds of flights to be cancelled next week as demonstrators attempt to blockade Terminal 1. Geoff Hoon, the Transport Secretary, is likely to approve the £13 billion third runway next week, which would allow BAA to submit a planning application next year. Climate Rush plans to block the departure gate at T 1 on Monday evening, and expects at least 1,000 people to attend the protest. (Times)
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Retaining Share – Europe’s cargo airports
Europe's 4 prime cargo gateways are facing tougher times as the downturn in the global economy begins to bite into traffic throughput. These airports also have to overcome increasing capacity restraints on the ground. Frankfurt Airport had a continuous growth run of four years, and just beats Paris Charles De Gaulle International to process more cargo annually. Amsterdam (3rd) and Heathrow (4th) are the other two leading European gateways. Heathrow freight grew 3.9% in 2007. (Air Cargo World)
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Doncaster Airport hopes to lift restrictions on cargo
Robin Hood Airport has gone ahead with an official bid to lift restrictions on night-time cargo flights to create more jobs. But the move has sparked concerns from pressure group Finningley Airport Network which has set up a petition protesting against the plan. Since opening in April 2005 Robin Hood carried around 600 tonnes of cargo annually in its first 2 years. its current restrictions are from 11pm and 7am. (The Star)
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Stansted protesters sentenced to community service amid threat of £2m damages claim
The climate change protesters who brought Stansted airport to a standstill in December were sentenced yesterday, as it emerged that they and others who joined them face the threat of being sued for more than £2m in damages. Most of the 22 campaigners, members of Plane Stupid, were ordered to do between 50 and 90 hours community service after admitting aggravated trespass, and must pay compensation of £60 to cover £3,000 worth of damage to the fence.(Guardian)
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First US flight of jatropha and algae-fuelled jet
A US airline has completed the first test flight of a plane powered by biofuel derived from algae and jatropha. It was a 90-minute flight by a Continental Boeing 737-800. test is the latest in a series of demonstration flights by the aviation industry, which hopes to be using biofuels within 5 years. The flight was the first to use a twin-engine commercial aircraft (rather than a four-engine plane) to test a biofuel blend. (BBC)
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Imagine this once every 5 minutes – Bromley and flight path changes
Airplanes could be droning overhead every 5 minutes if a major flightpath alteration goes ahead, an expert has warned. Weeks before the government decides on a 3rd runway at Heathrow, campaigners claimed they discovered 'hidden' evidence that the number of flights going over areas including Beckenham, Dartford and Croydon could be a third higher than expected. Planes could be flying over Beckenham every 5 minutes.(Bromley Times)
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Heathrow rail hub, HS2 and third runway all being planned?
The government appears to be paving the way for a possible ‘triple whammy’ announcement of plans for a new rail hub serving Heathrow, plus a new high-speed rail line between London and the North — as well as a 3rd runway at Heathrow. The government is keen to go ahead with Heathrow’s 3rd runway despite strong opposition. Minister Andrew Adonis said there was "a very strong case" for a new high-speed line up north, and the Heathrow Hub. (Rail News)
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Robin Hood Airport applies for freight night flying
Robin Hood Airport has officially applied to Doncaster Council to lift restrictions on night-time freight flights in a bid to create more jobs. It has submitted plans to relax the limitations. It wants to overturn a ban on noisier aircraft like Boeing 747s - known as QC4s - operating at night because officials are concerned the current ruling is hampering efforts to attract a freight operator to set up base at Robin Hood. (Doncaster Free Press)
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Gatwick Airport signs up to new legal commitments
Gatwick has signed a new legal agreement with West Sussex County Council and Crawley Borough Council. The agreement outlines how the airport’s operation, growth and environmental impacts will be managed in future. This agreement and Gatwick’s interim master plan supersede the Gatwick Airport Sustainable Development Strategy, published in July 2000 and the original legal agreement signed in 2001. The new agreement will run until the end of 2015. (BAA)
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Birmingham Heathrow high-speed link could hit BIA
Transport minister Lord Adonis wants to build the country’s largest passenger interchange at Heathrow as part of a 200 mph express line linking St Pancras to Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow. He said the "bullet train" line could mirror London’s Crossrail project, which attracted £700million from private companies. It currently takes 2 hours to travel by train from Birmingham to Heathrow. A fast link might benefit BIA, though it may not. (Birmingham Post)
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Fears over staff cuts at Derry airport
Jobs at the loss-making City of Derry Airport are under threat. Airport managers have to save a proposed £600,000 amid increased financial pressure facing local authorities in Northern Ireland. Uncertainty over the funding available to councils contributed to the problem. Ryanair has announced plans to scale back its services from the airport. Airport managers yesterday began discussions with employees and union representatives. (Belfast Telegraph)
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Heathrow rail link a ‘cynical ploy’
Suggestions from a government minister that a high-speed rail link may be built alongside a third runway at Heathrow were described last night as a "cynical ploy". Lord Adonis said that an international rail interchange could be built at Heathrow, in compensation for the environmental damage a new runway would cause. Hacan said the Government was "in disarray" about the project and had never talked about a rail link until the Tories brought it up. (Indy)
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New flight paths for Heathrow will bring jets’ roar to millions
Hundreds of thousands of homes will be exposed to more aircraft noise from planned new flight paths that will allow 60,000 more aircraft a year to use Heathrow’s existing runways. The flight paths will be phased in, the first as early as next year, and will affect people living up to 30 miles from the airport. The Times has learnt that this expansion will require a complete redesign of the flight paths of approaching aircraft. (Times)
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Hoon: Heathrow study on pollution ‘over-cautious’
Geoff Hoon has cleared the way for expansion of Heathrow by branding the Government's own warnings over pollution "over-cautious". He has disputed a key finding of his officials in the risk register regarding the expansion proposals. In a letter to Justine Greening MP, he regards the risk register, published in October 2007, to over estimate air quality problems - though this does not relate to a third runway. (Standard)
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NEW FORECAST: up to 4ft Sea Level Rise by 2100
New evidence suggests that sea level rise up to 2100 may be greater than anticipated by the IPCC report in 2007. The IPCC had projected a rise of no more than 1.5 ft by 2100 but a report, commissioned by the U.S. Climate Change Science Program, found global sea levels could rise as much as 4 feet by 2100. According to the Worldwatch Institute, some 21 coastal cities with over 8 million residents will have to contend with sea rise impacts. (Travelmole)
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BAA emission controls fail to halt airport breaching pollution limits
BAA has failed to control pollution levels around Heathrow while pushing for a 3rd runway and more flights. New figures reveal that last year air quality broke the government’s own pollution target despite initiatives by BAA to curb emissions. It means EU legal limits will almost certainly be breached when they are brought in next year. The annual mean average level of NO2 was 52 micrograms per cubic metre but the EU legal limit is 40 micrograms. (Times)
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Voters to make Labour MPs pay on Heathrow expansion
Labour faces losing 4 out of 6 marginal seats to the Tories in west London following the controversy surrounding the expansion of Heathrow. Among those who would lose their seat are Ann Keen - MP for Brentford and Isleworth. An ICM poll commissioned by Greenpeace on Dec 17th revealed 23% of voters in the 6 seats said they would be even less likely to back Labour if the government approves plans to build a 3rd runway and 6th terminal at Heathrow. (Times)
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Have your say on new Dungeness C nuclear power plant plan close to Lydd
Plans for a third nuclear power station at Dungeness will be discussed at a series of public meetings next month. With one of its reactors now closed and the other nearing the end of its life, owner British Energy has earmarked the site as an obvious location for one of a new generation of plants. There will be 6 meetings between January 13 and 29. A potential third reactor would produce a maximum output of 1,600MW and jobs for 60 years. (Kent News)
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UK faces court case over air pollution breaches
The EU is planning to take Britain to court for consistently breaching air pollution laws, which could result in unlimited daily fines. Air pollution near many roads averages well over twice the UN's WHO maximum recommended level, which has led to constant infringements of EU air quality laws. Dimas revealed that legal proceedings were being prepared. Aviation is a significant contributor of NO2, making the Heathrow decision highly relevant. (Guardian)
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Stobart views straitened times as opportunity
Stobart Group is one of the few businesses that views the current economic uncertainty as an opportunity rather than a threat to its future. Much of its business is in transporting food and "people still need to eat". In December, Stobart bought Southend. Tinkler sees the area as strategically important, with the 2012 Olympics coming up. Stbart has an option, expiring this month, to buy Carlisle airport for about £10m - an announcement is expected shortly. (FT)
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Farnborough – ‘More flights will make the best use of airport’
TAG have started a public consultation on their draft master plan. The document outlines how the company sees the airport developing over the next 10 years. The consultation states: "While the physical capacity of the airport could accommodate up to approximately 100,000 air traffic movements a year, approximately 50,000 a year until 2019 is being considered in light of current safety and environmental constraints". (Get Hampshire)
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Air Freight news during 2008
Air Freight news stories during 2008 - collected together
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NZ airline flies jetliner partly run on veggie oil
An Air New Zealand passenger jet powered in part by jatropha oil completed a two-hour flight to test a biofuel they hope could lower airplane emissions and cut costs. One engine of a Boeing 747-400 was powered by a 50-50 blend of oil from jatropha plants and standard A1 jet fuel. While Air New Zealand couldn't say whether the blend would be cheaper than standard jet fuel. Tests show jatropha has an even lower freezing point than jet fuel. (Washington Post)
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Time to give up on runway three – John McDonnell
John McDonnell comments that the Heathrow campaign is increasingly exposing the existence in Britain of a corporate political complex. The interests of big corporations have so permeated government that its major decisions are indistinguishable from the boardroom demands of the leading companies. Even in the face of an immensely broad coalition of opposition to Heathrow expansion, parliament is to be denied a vote on the issue. (Guardian comment)
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Airport shrugs off Carlisle revival plan
Blackpool Airport says plans to increase passenger numbers will not be affected by proposals to develop Carlisle Airport. Carlisle City Council's planning committee has approved a £19m scheme by Stobart, which includes encouraging more passengers. A spokeswoman for Blackpool Airport said the growth at Carlisle would not have an negative impact on the Squires Gate hub. (Gazette)
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Asian Air cargo drops sharply in November
Air cargo demand in Asia fell sharply in November, according to the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines. November was the 7th straight month of accelerating declines. As demand weakens, the airlines have been cutting capacity. International cargo volume declined 15.5% in November, from 5.1 billion freight ton kilometers in November 2007 to 4.3 billion FTK this year. Available freight ton kilometers dropped 8.9%. (Air Cargo World)
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BA claim new fuel efficient aircraft fleet for London City airport
BA have ordered 11 new Embraer aircraft for its CityFlyer operation at London City Airport. They will be delivered in September 2009. BA claim they will be much more fuel efficient. However, the net emissions will be higher, due to an anticipated doubling in flight numbers. (BA info ... with some greenwash warnings)
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Labour MPs plan Heathrow revolt
MPs opposed to construction of a 3rd runway at Heathrow are planning a massive cross-party revolt in the new year in a final effort to halt the project. Plans are being formed to force a vote in parliament, against Gordon Brown's wishes, in which dozens of Labour rebels would join the Tories and Lib Dems to oppose the plan. A Commons defeat for Brown would send a clear message that expansion was being pushed through, despite huge public opposition. (Observer)
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Protest at Belfast City Airport runway extension plan
Campaigners opposed to a runway extension at George Best Belfast City Airport have held a protest at the airport, but the airport was not disrupted. The airport has applied to extend the runway, but residents' groups fear this would lead to larger planes and an increased noise. If allowed, the runway would be extended by 590 metres in the direction of Belfast Lough, which Belfast city Airport Watch said would cause a nightmare for affected residents. (BBC)
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Carlisle airport plan gets go-ahead
Carlisle City Council yesterday gave planning permission to allow Eddie Stobart and Stobart Rail to move their operations at Kingstown to the airfield at Crosby-on-Eden. As a condition, Andrew Tinkler will sign a binding agreement to upgrade the runway and passenger terminal, so scheduled passenger flights could start next year. Objectors have vowed to fight on and may apply for a judicial review. Tinkler faces negotiations with a tenant farmer. (News & Star)
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Protesters in plot to shut down Heathrow terminal for a day
Hundreds of demonstrators are planning to disrupt departures from Heathrow's Terminal 1 by invading the check-in area. The sit-in, organised through Climate Rush by internet and activist networks, is timed to put pressure on the Government ahead of an imminent decision on whether to allow a 3rd runway at Heathrow. Hundreds will host a picnic on the floor of T1. If enough people turn up, it is likely to lead to the cancellation of flights. (Evening Standard)
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Gatwick second runway – two BBC videos
Two short video clips about local reaction to the news of a possible second runway at Gatwick, south of the airport and north of Crawley.
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Gatwick runway story ‘over-blown’
The Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign consider the Times' story on 18th Dec under the headline ‘Secret Plans Revealed for 2nd Gatwick Runway’ was over-blown and off-mark. The information seems to be little more than extracts from the 2003 Air Transport White Paper. GACC comments: "Fortunately we believe it will never happen. The main effect of the Times story will be to cause blight and misery as thousands of home owners find it even harder to sell their houses."
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Labour MPs urge third runway vote – EDM 339
41 Labour MPs have backed calls to put plans for Heathrow's 3rd runway to a Commons vote. In total 97 MPs have signed Early Day Motion 339 from Labour MP Martin Salter asking the government not to proceed with the controversial plans. Ministers are due to decide on the new runway in January but the cabinet is split on the issue.
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Eight admit trespass at Stansted
Eight protesters who caused hundreds of flights to be cancelled or delayed at Stansted Airport on 8th December have admitted aggravated trespass. The seven men and one woman, aged between 18 and 29, appeared before Harlow Magistrates' Court. The protest aimed to highlight the impact of aviation on the environment. They were released on bail and will be sentenced on 7 January. They are the first of 49 people to appear in court. (BBC)
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