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Latest news stories:
Plan to cut airport jobs and shelve Dublin’s 2nd runway
Dublin airport's plan to build a 2nd runway, at a cost of more than €200 million, has been deferred due to the decline in passenger numbers. They feel the airport will not experience significant capacity constraints for several years. The airport told trade unions it will seek voluntary redundancies early next year at Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports due to an anticipated decline in passenger numbers and fall in profits in 2009 and 2010. (Irish Times)
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Gatwick sell-off will put pressure on Government to allow 2nd runway
Gatwick is Britain's 2nd-biggest airport, with flight paths over sparsely populated countryside and good road and rail links. It has not been considered for expansion as BAA has been content not to press for this while the Government supports new runways at Stansted and Heathrow. Passenger numbers fell by 13.5% last month and the only way BAA could get anywhere near the asking price is by talking up the development potential. (Times)
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Crawley weighs job hopes from Gatwick expansion against destruction of homes
Residents in Crawley, the town that is home to 7,000 airport staff are divided in their reaction to proposed 2nd runway. Crawley is the new town 2 miles south of the runway, whose fortunes rise and fall those of the airport. The town is home to 1 in 3 of the airport's 25,000 staff, with low unemployment. Some residents think the airport's expansion could boost employment. It would mean demolishing 300 homes in Crawley, and 18 listed buildings. (Times)
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Gatwick airport 2nd runway: Crawley residents ready to fight any expansion
Residents near Gatwick have promised to mount a ferocious campaign against any plans for a 2nd runway. The Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign (GACC) said there was too little land between Gatwick and Crawley to allow a new runway and terminal to operate efficiently. Brendon Sewill, GACC chairman, said every local MP and council is against it and the campaign against the runway will be every bit as strong as the campaigns at Heathrow and Stansted. (Times)
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Secret plans revealed for second Gatwick runway
A new runway could be built at Gatwick rather than Heathrow or Stansted under plans secretly being developed by companies bidding to buy Britain’s second largest airport. BAA has sent bidders a confidential memorandum with a section entitled "Gatwick builds a second runway". The Competition Commission effectively endorsed the idea yesterday. If Gatwick were to be expanded, up to 300 homes would have to be demolished, and many more affected by noise. (Times)
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BAA told to sell three airports
The Competition Commission has said it will require BAA to sell Gatwick, Stansted and Edinburgh airports. The watchdog says the decision is subject to a final consultation but is necessary to improve levels of service at UK airports. "Under separate ownership, the airport operators including BAA, will have a much greater incentive to be far more responsive to their customers, both airlines and passengers," the Competition Commission said. (BBC)
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Southend Airport to operate passenger flights across the UK and Europe
Southend Airport's new owners the Stobart Group have said the airport will soon start to operate passenger flights across the UK and Europe. After acquiring the airport for £21 million last week, Stobart said that passenger airline services could help "drive freight opportunities", with the firm having ambitions for the airport to become a niche air freight destination. (Skyscanner)
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Mandelson throws his weight behind third Heathrow runway
Mandelson waded into the Cabinet row over Heathrow by "strongly" backing the business case for a 3rd runway. Downing St also admitted that Heathrow expansion had been discussed "numerous" times by Cabinet, highlighting how controversial an issue it had become for them. Just 24 hours after Hilary Benn warned that EU pollution laws must not be breached by a 3rd runway, Business Secretary Mandelson is fighting the case for a bigger Heathrow. (Standard)
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Going nowhere at Heathrow – Caroline Lucas on Guardian Comment
Caroline Lucas says peaceful protests are the only way to highlight dissatisfaction with the government's airport policy and its climate impact. The government has no action plan on achieving targets under the EU Air Quality Directive. The Stansted protest demonstrated, more clearly than any strongly-worded letter, the level of frustration and anger at the proposals to expand aviation and the government's shirking of its environmental responsibilities.
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Willie Walsh says “Be realistic about Heathrow expansion”
Willie Walsh gets to give his view on Guardian Comment. According to Willie, "Let's face reality. Rejecting growth at Heathrow would not make the slightest practical difference to the future of the planet." And "We must see things in perspective. If we closed every UK airport tomorrow, we would reduce global C02 emissions by 0.1%. And if we decide not to build a third runway at Heathrow, we will not reduce absolute emissions one iota."
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Birmingham Airport runway extension plans approved
Solihull’s planning sub committee said they would back the 400 m extension of the runway, subject to planning gain constraints on noise and environmental protection, to be agreed at a later meeting. In a unanimous vote they agreed to grant planning permission providing the Section 106 agreement met their approval. They said they had to consider the needs of the airport and the business sector, which wants B'ham to compete on the 'global stage'.(B'ham Post)
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Globalisation to go into reverse – air freight
Intercontinental volume growth rates may never return to the levels of the last 10 years. The CEO of DHL Express’s Emea region said the prospect of higher oil prices long-term meant shippers were seriously looking at bringing at least part of their manufacturing closer to consumer markets. "When the world’s economy starts to grow again, transport growth will begin again, but I think the growth spurt is gone. (IFW)
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Heathrow Airport’s former chief executive lied to get Terminal Five
The past and present bosses of Heathrow Airport have spun a web of lies in order to get a third runway, it has been revealed. John Stewart, chairman of anti-expansion group HACAN hs sourced letters and interviews in which BAA's previous chief executive lied to get a 3rd runway. Sir John Egan has been quoted as saying in a letter to residents towards the start of the Terminal 5 Inquiry in 1995: "T5 does not call for a 3rd runway." (This is Local London)
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BAA's hopes of securing a top price for Gatwick received a setback when it was revealed that passenger numbers at the airport in November were down 13.5% on the same month last year. This comes less than 2 weeks after BAA started the sale process, and will depress the price they are likely to achieve. However, they claim the airport has scarcity value as capital city airports rarely come up for sale. (Times)
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Meet the plane stoppers
There has been a great deal of coverage in the media about the Plane Stupid invasion of Stansted on Monday 8th. This is a small sample. The Sunday Times piece covers a workshop held recently in west London, where local residents -especially law abiding middle aged ladies - interested in learning how they could influence the future of Heathrow learned the basics of direct action techniques.
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Cabinet split over proposed Heathrow third runway
Hilary Benn, the Environment Secretary, has broken cabinet ranks to warn that Heathrow’s controversial expansion plans should be rejected unless noise and air pollution are dramatically cut. He said Heathrow has a "problem" with air quality even before the construction of the proposed 3rd runway, new technology was not likely to solve the noise or air pollution problems - and failure to cut emissions was "not something that we can contemplate". (Sunday Times)
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Airport claims “Businesses must support Birmingham’s runway plans”
A property consultant puts his case for supporting Birmingham airport expansion. One quote is: "I'm not looking for an easy life, but I cannot overstate how much easier my job would be in making the case for the Midlands, which has so much going for it in terms of its workforce and skillbase, if we had a more impressive destination map for the region's main airport". Solihull Council will be deciding next week on a runway extension. (B'ham Post)
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Discussion on the Stansted airport invasion
The Plane Stupid airport invasion on Monday was the first direct action the group has taken that inconvenienced passengers. There has been much debate about whether this was the right thing to do. Some of the discussion is recorded. A big – and unexpected – message which came across was that it was only when passengers' lives were disrupted in this way that many were forced to think for the first time about the impact of their flying.
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Plan for Stansted second runway slips back
A second runway at Stansted will not be built until the 2nd half of the next decade at the earliest. The CAA has followed recommendations from the Competition Commission to exclude the £2.3bn project from the price control regime up to March 2014. The CAA’s decision means BAA will have no funding from higher charges to finance development work until a new price regime is introduced in 6 years. Traffic volumes at Stansted have fallen all year. (FT)
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EU leaders reach new climate deal – 20% by 2020
EU leaders have reached a deal on a package of measures to fight global warming. The plan, agreed at a Brussels summit, sets out how 27 member-countries will cut carbon emissions by 20% by 2020, compared with 1990. Scientists say CO2 emissions must be cut by 25-40% by 2020 for there to be a reasonable chance of avoiding dangerous climate change. The measures - so called 20/20/20 -require approval by the European Parliament to become law. (BBC)
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Designer demo brings Stansted airport to a halt
The action to shut down Stansted was, in the words of one campaigner, "designer direct action", and those taking part were adamant there was no time to lose in tackling climate change. One explained: "If we fail, it will be the people on this runway, and our children, who’ll live with the consequences." The middle classes are angry, and direct action could become a recurrent problem for airlines and passengers unless the sector’s growth is checked. (Times)
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Heathrow next, warn activists who caused Stansted chaos
Environmental campaigners have vowed to step up direct action against British airports after protesters breached the security fence at Stansted. Members of Plane Stupid, which campaigns against climate change and air travel, chained themselves to a makeshift barrier close to the airport's runway. A spokeswoman for the group said it intended to repeat the action at Heathrow, where plans are under consideration to build a third runway. (Guardian)
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Soap tycoon: Why I am funding airport demonstrations and paying protesters’ legal bills
The High Street tycoon - Mark Constantine, the multi-millionaire founder of Lush Cosmetics - who has been funding the eco-activists behind the storming of Stansted today vowed to pay for future direct action campaigns. He supports Plane Stupid. Lush has 600 shops in 44 countries. Mark has made a series of donations to Plane Stupid and other anti-aviation campaigns totalling around £20,000. He pledged to pay for their fines and legal bills. (Mail)
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57 arrested as Stansted protest grounds flights
Police arrested 57 people after a protest by climate change activists forced flight cancellations and delays at Stansted. Queues grew and tempers frayed in the departure lounge after Ryanair cancelled 56 flights as a result of the early-morning protest by Plane Stupid. Activists broke into a secure area at around 3am, forcing the runway to remain closed till 8.10am. Ryanair called for an investigation into why BAA had failed to keep the airport secure. (Indy)
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Lydd Airport Action Group approaches EC over potential infringement of Habitats Regulations
LAAG has approached the European Commission over Shepway District Council’s failure to assess Lydd Airport’s planning application on the basis of its longer term ambition set out in the airport’s Master Plan. The Master Plan stipulates a longer term objective of 2 million passengers per annum. LAAG believes the Master Plan must be assessed in combination with the planning application, or risk an infringement of the European Habitats Regulations.
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Airport community groups applaud Plane Stupid action closing Stansted
Responding to news of the Plane Stupid action at Stansted, HACAN, SSE and GACC (community groups from Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick) have commented. Carol Barbone, Campaign Director of SSE said: "No-one can condemn this action without also condemning the recklessness of the Government’s policy on airport expansion and the major contribution which the resulting emissions would make to global warming. BAA’s [plans] must also be condemned." (Hacan, SSE and GACC)
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Stansted protest delays flights
Flights at Stansted have been delayed after more than 50 protesters from Plane Stupid occupied a secure area near the runway. The protest started at 0315 GMT by breaching security, cutting through a fence, while the runway was closed for maintenance. The runway was closed for about 2 hours from the time of the first scheduled flight at 0610 GMT, and reopened at 0810 GMT. The protesters say planned expansion at Stansted would damage the environment
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Climate Talks Falter as Italy and Poland Play Politics with Global Climate’s Future
11,000 climate delegates are meeting in Poland's western city of Poznan, seeking agreement upon new post-Kyoto climate goals, to be finalized in Copenhagen by the end of next year. Ministers will consider proposals for cutting rich-world emissions to between 25 - 40% below 1990 levels by 2020. But with a worldwide economic crisis and the EU's climate policy in disarray, chances are small for quick agreement that reduces emissions. (Climate Ark)
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95% of businesses feel Heathrow expansion will make little or no difference to them
Only 4% of British businesses believe they will benefit from expanding Heathrow. 95% said it would make little or no difference. In contrast, 23% of businesses believe they will be helped by a new high-speed rail line to the North, as proposed by David Cameron. This proves how wrong the Government is to say that British business is crying out for Heathrow expansion. In fact, only a tiny proportion of businesses stand to benefit. (Restore UK)
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Promises, Promises …. Reaction to the publication of Birmingham Airport’s Environment and Community report
Reacting to the release of Birmingham Airport's "Growing Together, Environmental and community report 2007/8", Birmingham FoE and Birmingham BANG welcome this report and all of the work that is taking place at the Airport with respect to the environment and local community. However, the 8% reduction in airport emissions claimed relates only to emissions on the ground, not in the air - or from surface emissions to and from the airport. (FoE)
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Decision on Heathrow 3rd runway delayed till January
A decision on whether a 3rd runway should be built at Heathrow has been put back to January 2009, the Department for Transport has said. The decision had been expected before Christmas. It had been reported the cabinet was split over the issue - the Tories and Lib Dems oppose a 3rd runway and some Labour backbenchers have called for a rethink. Mr Hoon said the government had made it clear it supports a 3rd runway - "subject to environmental controls". (BBC)
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Staverton (Gloucester) runway bid given green light
Controversial plans to extend the runway area at Gloucestershire airport have been given an initial green light by city councillors. They recommended that land is handed over to the airport to make the expansion possible. The airport says the 30-metre extension is critical to meet safety regulations and enable profitable commercial flights to continue. Protestors oppose the scheme which they say is really a plan to expand airport operations.(This is Gloucestershire)
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Stobart’s Andrew Tinkler sued for libel by ex-employee
The CEO of Stobart Group and owner of Carlisle Airport faces a claim for general, exemplary and aggravated damages. Peter Elliott, an aviation consultant, says he has "suffered distress, injury and unlawful multiple attacks upon his personal and professional integrity", and has issued proceedings in the High Court. Mr Elliott withdrew his consultancy services in protest at "criminal aviation activities" at Carlisle Airport.
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Celebrities join petition against Birmingham Airport runway extension
Comedian Mark Thomas and the novelist Will Self are among celebrities opposed to a planned 400-metre extension of Birmingham Airport’s main runway. The pair joined 1,000 protesters to sign a petition urging Solihull Council to throw out the £120 million scheme on environmental grounds. Campaigners dressed as pilots delivered the petition, in the form of postcards, to Solihull Borough Council on top of a duty-free shopping trolley. (Birmingham Post)
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Stobart To Buy Southend Airport For Up To GBP21 Mln
British transport firm Stobart Group has agreed to buy Southend Airport from Regional Airports Limited for up to £21 million. Stobart, whose trucks are a common sight on Britain's motorway network, said the deal would be in line with its multi-modal transport strategy, which already includes rail and sea operations. It also said "We have already started talking to a number of airlines to investigate new passenger services." (Reuters and Times)
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Protesters to target Heathrow with music, jams and action
Militants trying to stop the expansion of Heathrow are planning a series of direct action protests in the New Year. They will carry out co-ordinated attacks designed to cause maximum disruption, and want to make the Government pay for "broken promises" by targeting leading MPs and Heathrow officials. Plans included jamming roads with cars on a go-slow, chaining themselves up at the airport, blasting loud music outside MPs' homes, and more. (Standard)
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CAA research on air passengers visiting friends and relatives shows social links with Europe fuelling journey growth
Civil Aviation Authority research pub shows that air passengers visiting friends and relatives (VFR traffic) is the strongest growing element of international passenger traffic at UK airports. Such traffic represents one-quarter of international passengers at UK airports. Whilst total international passengers to and from UK airports have grown by one-third between 2001 and 2007, VFR traffic has grown by two-thirds. (CAA)
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Cornish MPs want Newquay airport inquiry
Cornwall's MPs, who are all Liberal Democrats, are calling for an investigation into the temporary closure of Newquay Airport. Cornwall County Council, which owns the airport, had been due to take over operations from the RAF on 1st December. But as the CAA did not grant it a licence in time it has had to cancel all flights in and out until 19th December. About 209 departures and 7,000 passengers could be affected by the temporary closure.(BBC)
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Fancy dress Heathrow protestors demand “Why don’t you listen, Gordon?”
Around 100 protesters opposing Heathrow expansion dressed up in Gordon Brown masks with big ears joined a rally in Lampton Park. They joined others from local and national groups, including politicians. Rally organiser, John Stewart said "All the Gordon Browns in the world - and there were lots of them here today - won't convince anybody that expansion is needed. It's bad for the environment and most people don't buy his line that it's needed for the health of the economy."
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Newquay Airport master plan launched
After nearly 2 years of dithering, Cornwall County Council - which owns the airport - has decided to release the Masterplan for its future development, incorporating a possible fourfold expansion of passenger numbers between 2007 and 2030. They want to increase the number of air traffic movements accordingly, and hugely expand their executive jet business. There is a 10 week consultation process, ending around mid February (no date given).
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Carlisle Airport expansion plan backed by Cumbria council
Businessman Andrew Tinkler’s plans for Carlisle Airport have received a boost from Cumbria County Council. Carlisle City Council will decide next month if the £20m scheme for an Eddie Stobart HQ and warehousing should get planning consent. But the county council has to be consulted first - its development control committee voted 11-0 in favour. However, they say that Stobart Air, should sign a binding agreement to upgrade the runway and terminal.(News & Star)
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Life under Heathrow flight path about to get noisier
The number of flights at Heathrow will increase far sooner than the Government has previously admitted under plans to end mixed mode on the two existing runways. BAA hopes those living under the flight paths will not notice that noise is spreading throughout the day. Ministers will probably allow expansion to begin as early as 2010, with at least another 60,000 flights a year, up from 480,000 to 540,000 using the existing two runways by 2015 - or earlier. (Times)
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Newquay Cornwall Airport Sets Out Masterplan
Newquay Airport has launched its draft Masterplan - setting out its long term vision out to 2030. The consultation will continue to the end of January 2009. Cornwall County Council will take over full ownership of the airfield from the RAF in December. The Masterplan includes plans for new and refurbished hangars to attract aircraft maintenance and aircraft recycling businesses, a combined 4* hotel, conference and exhibition centre, huge passenger increases etc.
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Miliband prepared to break pollution laws over Heathrow
Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband has refused to rule out turning a blind eye to air quality laws to give the go-ahead for a 3rd runway at Heathrow. Experts believe that EU NOx limits will be exceeded for years to come after 2015 around Heathrow if it is allowed to grow. Mr Miliband, asked to give a guarantee that the Government would not ignore minor breaches of air quality laws to allow another runway, stopped short of giving such a pledge. (Standard)
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BAA agrees to Heathrow watchdog if it gets its 3rd runway
BAA says it will accept an independent body with the power to limit flights - if limits on noise and pollution are breached - if its third runway is approved. BAA also wants to be able to use both Heathrow's existing runways for take-offs and landings simultaneously, but it says if it gets this concession, it will not increase flight numbers but use the extra capacity to cut delays. (BBC)
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Residents: we were right on Belfast City Airport noise
Residents in east Belfast have said that the latest noise report on Belfast City Airport proves what they have been saying - increasing numbers of large aircraft are pushing up the noise levels. The number of people living within the 54dB contour has increased from 12,084 in summer 2007 to 18,859 this summer, while the population within the 57dB contour has more than doubled. The noise has increased due to more European destinations. (UK Airport News)
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Manchester – Tea party airport protest
Protesters staged a tea party in the grounds of an historic cottage to show their opposition to plans to expand Manchester Airport. Airport bosses want to build a £20m extension to the freight terminal on land off Runger Lane, Wythenshawe. They have applied for permission to demolish Grade II-listed Rose Cottage and three other historic properties nearby, as well as a natural pond and dozens of mature trees. (Manchester Evening News)
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Environment Agency rounds on plan for third Heathrow runway
Building a 3rd runway at Heathrow would make it "impossible" to meet legally binding targets on air pollution, according to Lord Smith, head of the Environment Agency. In a speech tomorrow the government’s own green watchdog will increase pressure on ministers not to approve the expansion. Geoff Hoon's decision next month hinges on whether an expanded Heathrow will be able to meet European air quality targets, due to come into force in 2010. (Sunday Times)
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Call for residents to register Gatwick airport noise
An anti-noise campaigner from Hever is encouraging anybody who is blighted by the sound of Gatwick bound planes to register their views with a Government department. David Baron, founder of the Gatwick Anti-Noise Group (GANG), is keen for residents to take part in a consultation on airport noise being carried out by DEFRA. Comments will be taken into consideration when DEFRA forms its guidelines on airport noise. Deadline 28th Nov. (This is Kent)
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Action pledge launched by Scottish campaigners against airport expansion
Campaigners have pledged to take action to stop the expansion of Glasgow and Edinburgh airports. The pledge comes just weeks before the Scottish Parliament considers the National Planning Framework which could give the green light to expansion. Local communities around the airport have joined forces with national lobby groups and Plane Stupid Scotland, to pledge a sustained campaign of opposition should the expansion plans be given the green light.
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Solihull Council to consider Birmingham Airport’s runway extension
Solihull Council to decide the fate of Birmingham controversial plan to extend its main runway on 15th December. Councillors will then hear arguments for and against the £130 million scheme. The planned 400-m runway extension has the backing of many local politicians and business leaders. Environmental groups like FoE oppose it because people living near the airport will be subjected to more noise and pollution - as well as increase CO2 emissions.(Solihull News)
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East Midlands airport claims runway extension won’t create headache for residents
A planning application has been submitted to NW Leics District Council for a runway extension. The airport claims plans to extend the runway at the airport will increase the noise from only a "small number" of planes. They say the proposed expansion will actually reduce the level of noise from the majority of landing aircraft for some residents. The proposed runway extension would allow larger aircraft to depart at slightly heavier take-off weights. (This is Derby)
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BA chief puts case for third Heathrow runway
Willie Walsh warned ministers that rejection of the project to build a third runway at Heathrow would leave Britain without a hub airport to match rivals in Europe and the Middle East for a generation. He told an aviation conference in London that the UK economy would be held back by inadequate air links for 30 years. (FT)
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Thames estuary airport plan threatens wildlife – say RSPB
Increasing numbers of wildlife and birds in the Thames Estuary could end plans for an airport on an artificial island, the RSPB has claimed. Its Waterbirds in the UK 2006/2007 report places the estuary in the top 5 most important sites in the UK for water birds wintering or migrating. The RSPB said it proved plans for an airport in the estuary were doomed. This year's count has found 12 species in the Thames Estuary in internationally important numbers. (BBC)
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Hazel Blears ignores local residents and environmentalists by giving the go-ahead for thousands more flights at City Airport
A decision by Sec of State Hazel Blears NOT to demand a public enquiry following an application by City Airport to increase the number of flights from the airport from 76,000 to 120,000 per year is undemocratic and environmentally unsound, according to local people. The decision was made despite the fact that the initial application did not contain accurate data on noise going back nearly a decade, in breach of planning agreements. (SW Essex Greenpeace)
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Belfast City Airport seeking runway extension
A planning application to extend the runway at George Best Belfast City Airport has been submitted. If granted, it would extend the runway by 590 metres in the direction of Belfast Lough. The airport's chief executive said it would allow planes to fly further, to new destinations in Europe and the Mediterranean. Belfast City Airport Watch said the runway extension would constitute an "irreversible nightmare" for east and south Belfast. (BBC)
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SSE takes Government to the High court over Stansted decision
SSE has lodged an Appeal with the High Court challenging the Government's decision to sanction an additional 10 million passengers a year on Stansted's existing runway. SSE's legal action will say the increase in CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions cannt be disregarded in the decision to approve the extra flights; the economic impact on the UK trade deficit cannot be disregarded; and the adverse noise impacts do amount to a reason for refusal.
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Councils team up on Gatwick airport plans
An agreement to protect residents' interests in the face of possible developments at Gatwick has been signed by Surrey County Council. The Memorandum of Understanding ensures West Sussex and Crawley councils take the interests of other authorities into account when considering airport plans. Other signatories already include Mole Valley, Reigate, Tandridge, Horsham, Mid Sussex and East Sussex councils. The airport is currently for sale. (BBC)
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Plane Stupid’s Commons Five get minimal fine for Heathrow protest
The 5 activists from Plane Stupid who went on to the roof of Parliament to protest against the alleged collusion between BAA and the DfT in drawing up plans to expand Heathrow were just given a minimal fine by the judge at Westminster Magistrates Court. The Plane Stupid 5 had argued they had gone onto the roof to highlight the alleged collusion between the DfT and BAA in drawing up plans to expand Heathrow. The court accepted that was their motive.
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BAA plans to reduce construction costs with cheap foreign labour
BAA is looking to cut labour costs on airport construction work. But the current downturn, and a change in ownership after the Ferrovial takeover, means BAA is believed to be taking a different approach including plans to use cheaper foreign labour. It is speculated that BAA is considering plans to bring in workers from abroad, including Spain, for future works and paying them as little as £6 an hour. (Contract Journal)
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Battle lines drawn in Heathrow expansion
During a Commons debate on the expansion of Heathrow, Geoff Hoon said it should go ahead in spite of any short-term fears about recession. He said the airport was at full capacity and would fall behind European rivals if a 3rd runway was not allowed, and the decision had not already been made. The Tories described the DfT consultation as "a complete sham". Hoon said Heathrow would lose jobs, and passengers to Amsterdam or Frankfurt unless it increased capacity. (FT)
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The Big Question: What would a third runway mean for Heathrow, and is it really necessary?
Opposition to a new Heathrow runway is mounting, even within the Government's own ranks. A debate on this was called after around 50 Labour MPs backed a Parliamentary motion opposing expansion. Cabinet ministers - Hilary Benn, Harriet Harman, Ed and David Miliband - are all said to have expressed concerns. The most common argument for a runway is growing demand. Ministers talk about needing to take "tough decisions" to keep the UK competitive.(Indy)
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Inspector agrees to think again on Stansted runway Inquiry
The Pre-Inquiry Meeting on the Stansted second runway took place today, to consider the arrangements and timetable for the Public Inquiry. The Inquiry is due to start in April 2009 and the Inspector had proposed a 6 month timetable which he believed could be achieved by splitting the Inquiry into two 'streams'. Today he areed to re-consider the proposed timetable and insisted that he attached great importance to the Inquiry being conducted fairly. (SSE)
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Belgium scraps aviation tax plans
Belgium has scrapped proposals to charge an aviation tax on passengers, which would have raised €132m for government coffers. The charge would have amounted to between €5 and €50 per passenger but tension between the federal and regional governments has seen the plans dropped. (Business Travel World)
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Ministers to throw full weight behind third runway for Heathrow
Geoff Hoon, the Transport Secretary, will use a full-scale Commons debate on the runway plans on Tuesday to send the clearest signal yet that the Government will give the go-ahead to the expansion of Heathrow within weeks. Ministers are determined to face down Labour rebels after 38 of the party's backbench MPs signed a Commons motion opposing plans for a third runway. He wants to "smoke out" Tory divisions on the issue. (Telegraph)
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Time to say ‘no’ to Heathrow’s expansion
The Sunday Times leader says Heathrow’s third runway will be debated in the Commons this week. We hope the voices of opposition, said to reach right into the cabinet, will be in full flow. But a government go-ahead, when it comes, will mean little. It will be followed by a judicial review and a lengthy planning process. The government may well be out of office long before a single strip of runway has been laid down.
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Eddie Stobart poised to buy Southend Airport
Stobart Group is currently bidding to acquire Southend Airport in Essex, which is for sale by sealed offer. If Stobart does buy it, the airport would give the firm a potentially lucrative air route into the south east. The long-term lease of the Southend Council owned airport has been on the market since the beginning of the year at £55million. A decision is now expected within three days. (Echo and News & Star)
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Leeds Bradford Airport Unveils Terminal Development Proposals
Leeds Bradford Airport has unveiled a £28m development of its passenger terminal. It consists of a two storey extension to the landside face of the existing terminal, together with internal modifications to the current building, including a new and expanded passenger security screening zone, and a new departure lounge. Bridgepoint plans to invest some £70m in the airport over 5 years. There are public exhibitions till 7th November. A planning application will be submitted by the end of November.
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CAA publishes Competition Commission’s Stansted Airport charges report
The CAA has published the Competition Commission's report and recommendations on charges at Stansted, which will govern how much BAA can charge airlines during the 5-year period beginning April 2009. It recommends an increase in the maximum level of airport charges at Stansted to £6.26 per passenger, compared with the current level of £6.05 per passenger, with an increase of no more than RPI+ 1.75% per cent each year during the 5 years. (eGov monitor)
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MPs revolt over third Heathrow runway
The case for building a third runway at Heathrow has been challenged by figures showing a significant fall in flights this winter as cabinet ministers join a Labour revolt against expanding the airport. The number of flights to and from Heathrow will fall by 1.9% - equivalent to 25 flights a day - this winter compared with the same period last year. BAA said the long-term growth forecasts for aviation in the UK showed a different trend. (Guardian)
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Leeds Bradford to reveal expansion plans
Proposals for a £28m extension of the terminal at Leeds Bradford Airport will be discussed in a series of open meetings before the submission of a planning application to Leeds City Council. The initial expansion proposals are part of a £70m package. A report to a council committee next week says the proposals will provide internal improvements to the existing terminal and a new two-storey extension. (UK Airport News)
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Third runway at Heathrow would wreck climate target
Gordon Brown has been warned by senior ministers that approving a 3rd runway at Heathrow could wreck the government’s green credentials and undermine efforts to combat climate change - an 80% cut by 2050. The prime minister is facing a revolt from the cabinet and senior MPs. Among the critics is Harriet Harman, who fears residents angry at the increased noise and congestion could eject a clutch of Labour MPs in west London at the next election. (Times)
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Bristol – new climate change targets mean airport plans will damage other businesses
Campaigners welcoming the Government to include greenhouse gas emissions from international aviation and shipping in the UK’s Climate Change Bill are today warning that Bristol airport’s expansion plans now mean that other local industries will pay more for the airport’s free ride unless the airport curbs its growth. It currently has plans to increase to 10m passengers per year by 2016. This growth would mean the rich fly at the expense of the poor. (SBAE)
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New runway at Birmingham Airport could take six years
Birmingham’s direct gateway to the West Coast of America and China could be delayed 6 years if the Government calls in a £130 million runway extension scheme. The new CEO, Paul Kehoe, said Government intervention could mean a delay on a decision of up to 3 years – as well as a 3-year building programme. But if Solihull Council approves the scheme before Christmas – and GOWM nods it through – building could start by mid 2009. (Birmingham Post)
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Government plans to steamroller Stansted runway Inquiry
Plans to steamroller through the Public Inquiry into BAA’s application for a second Stansted runway in just six months have been condemned by Stop Stansted Expansion (SSE). The intention is to run parallel sessions examining different subjects in different Inquiry rooms at the same time. This 'twin track' approach would severely compromise the community’s ability to participate fully in the Inquiry because it would stretch resources beyond the limit. (SSE)
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Stansted inquiry to be rushed through to foil runway critics
The public inquiry into a second runway at Stansted is to be completed in record time in an attempt by the Government to prevent the Conservatives cancelling the project if they win the next general election. For the first time, a significant planning inquiry will be heard in two separate rooms at the same time. Opponents say that their arguments will not be heard properly because they can afford just one barrister, while BAA have five. (Times)
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New business aviation centre for Norwich airport
Norwich International Airport is set to expand after Norfolk-based aviation firm SaxonAir announced that it will construct a £1 million business aviation centre, a facility that will benefit passengers and airline crew. The company will also invest in the construction of a new hangar for the airport, which currently serves cheap flights carriers Flybe and Thomsonfly.(Skyscanner)
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Prestwick Airport sets out draft master plan
Glasgow Prestwick Airport has published its draft master plan. This sets out plans to cope with a doubling of the number of passengers using the airport in the next decade, equipping it to handle 5.7m passengers in 2018 rising to approximately 12m in 2033. It expects there will be a need to upgrade the existing apron and taxiway facilities as the number of flights increases, but the current runway infrastructure will be sufficient. (Transport Briefing)
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Labour MPs oppose Heathrow runway (105 have signed EDM 2344 by 31st Oct)
A growing number of Labour MPs have urged ministers to rethink their plans for a 3rd runway at Heathrow. MPs from all parties have signed a Commons motion urging the government to look at "alternative solutions" to take into account noise and air pollution. The Tories and Lib Dems oppose a 3rd runway but 28 Labour MPs are among the 78 who have signed the motion (95 have now) (BBC)
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Doncaster airport master plan launched
Doncaster airport's owner, Peel, has published its draft master plan. The plan shows growth in passenger numbers, cargo handling and business activity at the former RAF site. According to the 250-page document, 18,300 positions - both direct and indirect jobs - could be created in just over 20 years. Peel want to increase passenger numbers tenfold by 2030 - by extending the current terminal and improving public transport, and increase freight. (Doncaster Today)
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