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Summaries of, and links to, the latest aviation news stories appear below. News is archived into topics
For a daily compilation of UK articles on national and regional transport issues, see Transportinfo.org.uk | For more stories about specific airports see Aviation Environment Federation Transport & Environment Anna Aero TravelMole Press releases from CAA IATA BA Ryanair easyJet Jet2.com For climate change ECEEE news and Guardian Climate and NoAA monthly analysisCheck Hansard for reports on Parliament |
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Latest news stories:
Scottish airport expansion campaigners take to the streets on opening day of new Glasgow £32 million “skyhub”
Residents living under flight paths join forces with climate action group, AirportWatch and Plane Stupid Scotland to take part in street carnival as BAA open the ʽSkyhubʼ extension of Glasgow Airport. At of the opening of the biggest development at Glasgow airport since 1994, residents from the surrounding communities set off ʽclimate alarmsʼ attached to helium balloons, with "Give BAA an ASBO" written on them - in the streets of Paisley.
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Heathrow: MPs plot revolt against third runway
Plans for a 3rd runway at Heathrow were threatened by a Cabinet revolt. Ministers were said to be secretly fuelling a Commons rebellion against expansion of the airport. Dozens of MPs were joining a campaign to scupper the proposed runway amid doubts over whether it would be needed if aviation traffic is reduced in a global economic slowdown. From 19 votes for EDM 2344 - by John Grogan - yesterday, the figure is now 78 this evening. (Evening Standard)
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Heathrow plan attacked by Chris Smith – Chairman of the EA
Amid growing rumours of a Cabinet split over Heathrow expansion ex-culture secretary turned Environment Agency chief Chris Smith criticises plans to defer new pollution limits. The former Labour cabinet minister has weighed into the row over controversial Heathrow plans, criticising the government for trying to delay new pollution rules. Smith’s comments come as it emerges that senior minsters, including Benn, are opposed to Heathrow expansion. (New Statesman)
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Climate Change Bill to include aviation and shipping
The government has agreed to include aviation and shipping in an ambitious push to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Ministers said they would give "due regard" to projected emissions from the two industries when setting budgets for carbon reduction in the future. More than 50 Labour MPs pressed for the sectors to be included in the Climate Change Bill, which sets a target to cut carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. The government agreed to redraft its bill. (BBC)
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Passenger jets 10 seconds from collision at Heathrow
Two passenger jets came within a few seconds of disaster at Heathrow when one tried to land before the other had cleared the runway. A Lufthansa Airbus A321 carrying 168 passengers was coming in at 120mph on Friday evening and was just 10 seconds from touchdown when air traffic controllers realised it was on a collision course with another plane that had just landed and not yet left the runway. NATS said aborted landings were common. (Mail)
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BA’s last international flight from Manchester Airport tomorrow
BA is to fly its last direct international flight from Manchester Airport tomorrow after scrapping services to New York, as it was not profitable. BA will not fly any direct international routes from any UK regional airport, with traffic instead being directed through its Gatwick and Heathrow hubs. The 10am flight from Manchester will mark the end of an era when BA flew regular international flights from regional hubs, including Manchester. (Crains)
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MPs rebelling over climate bill and aviation’s exclusion
The government is fighting to head off a backbench rebellion over its plans to exclude aviation and shipping from the UK's greenhouse gas targets. 56 Labour MPs are demanding the sectors be included, enough to defeat Brown when the Climate Change Bill goes to a Commons' vote next week. They want an amendment to the Bill to state that if emissions from aviation and shipping continue to grow, the government must compensate with extra CO2 cuts elsewhere. (BBC)
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Heathrow ‘needs rail links as well as third runway’
BAA launched an ambitious campaign for a 3rd runway at Heathrow and a high-speed rail network across Britain. A government decision on the airport could be announced next month. But BAA fears environmental and financial concerns might see ministers back away from expansion and opt for more flights from the existing runways. They want a high-speed rail network that will connect the UK's hub airport with every major centre of population. (Evening Standard)
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China’s Airport Binge is Bad Environmental News
As China grows so does its aviation sector, and its insatiable need for airports. The country will by one estimate invest as much as $64 billion during the next 12 years expanding existing airports and building 97 more. That may not sound like much in a country of 1.3 billion people, but all those airports will create a huge amount of pollution. China's commercial air traffic has grown an average of 17% a year since 1985.
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Health trust to sue Heathrow over expansion
A HEALTHCARE trust has threatened to claim millions of pounds in compensation from BAA if a third runway at Heathrow goes ahead. Minutes from an internal board meeting show how Hounslow Primary Care Trust has objected to the proposals for expansion, claiming an increase in activity would put an undue burden on their resources. If the plans went ahead it would work with the local council and the NHS to push for the compensation. (Standard)
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Passenger figures down at a number of UK airports during September
Several of the stories from UK Airport News, showing declines in passenger numbers at a range of airports during September. Compared to September 2007, Exeter is down 5%, 11.4% at Norwich, (4.5% down across the UK as a whole), 2.2% down at the Isle of Man, 2.9% down at Edinburgh, 4.2% down at Aberdeen, 5% less for the BAA airports combined, and sharp drops at Newcastle and Durham Tees Valley. (UK Airport News)
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Heathrow car park transit system takes shape
The guideways linking Heathrow Terminal 5 with its business car park have been completed and the new, driverless Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system is close to beginning trials of the pioneering project. A fleet of 18 battery powered, driverless cars will transport passengers around Heathrow in the first commercial PRT system in the world. (UK Airport News)
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Richest business travellers use Heathrow (CAA UK Passenger Survey 2007/8)
The CAA UK Passenger Survey 2007 / 2008 reveals a great deal of data on passeners travelling from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Doncaster Sheffield, Humberside, Liverpool and Manchester airports. The income of business passengers at these airports is compared (using personal income for business travellers, and household income for leisure passengers) as well as the percent of business compared to leisure trips. (Times and CAA)
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(Bagby) Villagers in battle to ground airfield expansion
For four decades, Bagby Airfield, near Thirsk in North Yorkshire, has existed side by side with its rural neighbours – but now expansion plans, coupled with what some locals claim is an increase in air traffic, has led to a nosedive in relationships. New management is seeking planning consent for a replacement clubhouse with accommodation, leisure facilities, and seven hangars, and more. Residents have formed a protest group, Action4Refusal. (Yorkshire Post)
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Councils face £1m bill over ‘unreasonable’ block on Stansted expansion
An unprecedented decision means council tax payers in Hertfordshire will have to foot part of a £1m bill after Herts County Council was found to have acted ‘unreasonably’ while opposing the Stansted Airport expansion. Planning inspector Alan Boyland concluded that the inadequacies of the case presented by Uttlesford district and Herts county councils mean they should pay part of BAA's costs, estimated at more than £1m. (UK Airport News)
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Northern Ireland environment minister has given the go ahead for an extra 3,000 flights per year at Belfast City Airport
Northern Ireland environment minister Sammy Wilson has given the go ahead for an extra 3,000 flights per year in and out of George Best Belfast City Airport. An extra 0.5m passengers will be able to use the airport each year. However, it will be subjected to tighter regulations on noise and activity levels. The airport is expected to announce a community fund into which airline fines for late flights will be paid. (Planning Daily)
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Heathrow expansion: government accused of dragging heels on EU pollution curbs
Both opposition parties have accused the government of dragging its heels on implementing EU clean air legislation in it efforts to push through Heathrow's 3rd runway. New Whitehall documents show that ministers are planning to water down EU pollution curbs. Information received from the DfT following a FoI request shows that Defra and DfT officials worked together to 'ensure negotiations over the Directive take account of Heathrow position'. (NCE)
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Government accused of delaying EU pollution cuts to allow Heathrow expansion
Ministers are planning to water down EU pollution curbs in order to allow Heathrow to expand. Official Whitehall papers show civil servants are working to delay for 5 years a Brussels air quality directive due to come into force in 2010 - specifically to avoid harming the airport's growth. The documents, obtained under FoI by the Evening Standard reveal that EU rules on levels of NO2 would pose a 'risk' to plans to increase flights at Heathrow. (Mail)
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Scotland – airport expansion activists target Scottish First Minister
At 4am today residents from Clydebank, Paisley, Kirkliston and Cramond peacefully set up a stereo and blasted aeroplane noise through the entrance of the First Minister's private residence. This protest 'dawn chorus' highlighted the experience of living in the shadow of a growing airport. It's aim was to stress that the First Minister can't ignore the effects of airport expansion. The noise was at 110 decibels - equivalent to a jumbo jet taking off.
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Andrew Tinkler submits new plans for Carlisle Airport
Fresh proposals to redevelop Carlisle Airport have been tabled with Carlisle City Council. Andrew Tinkler shelved an earlier £35m scheme for a new runway, hangars, terminal, offices and warehousing after it was called in for a public inquiry. His latest proposals are less ambitious. The main building will be 30% smaller and there are no plans to replace the runway, which will be improved. There should be no need to fell trees. (News & Star)
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Parliament climate change protesters threaten further disruption
Climate change protesters who stormed the Houses of Parliament have threatened further demonstrations unless the Government adopts more eco-friendly policies. Six people were arrested after an attempt to recreate the suffragettes' "rush" on parliament 100 years ago, during an otherwise peaceful protest in Westminster. Rosie Boycott said the campaigners were "determined, organised and mobilised", and ready for further action. (Telegraph)
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Conservatives firm up opposition to Heathrow expansion as 6 trade unions come out against 3rd runway
Theresa Villiers has warned firms considering working on a 3rd Heathrow runway that Conservatives will not consider themselves bound by any decision taken by the current Government. Further opposition to a 3rd runway emerged today when, for the first time, 6 trade unions called for it to scrapped. In a full page advert in today’s Times, UNISON, TSSA, ASLEF, the RMT, PCS and Connect called for investment in improved rail instead. (HACAN and NoTRAG)
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Things are hotting up at Bristol International Airport
In December 2007, Bristol International Airport unsuccessfully applied to build a massive "walkway" more than 4 times as long as the existing terminal under permitted development rights. Now they are applying for an even more arcane judgment called a Certificate of Lawful Proposed Use or Development which would allow them to build the walkway without council enforcement action. Stop Bristol Airport Expansion is gearing up for the campaign. (SBAE)
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New research shows business support for a 3rd runway to be less than the aviation industry claims
HACAN has found that business support for a third runway at Heathrow is unlikely to be as strong as the aviation industry claims. HACAN and NoTRAG have assessed the 100 businesses who came out publicly in support of a third runway in a national newspaper advertisement sponsored by the pro-expansion group Future Heathrow - and found only 19 which may not have a financial interest in the expansion of Heathrow. Most have a vested interest in expansion. (Hacan)
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The IoS Green List: John Stewart tops list of Britain’s top 100 environmentalists
Britain's most successful transport campaigner - and Chairman of AirportWatch - has come top of the first comprehensive list of the country's most effective greens, compiled by the IoS. John Stewart, who leads the camapign at Heathrow, soundly beats far more high-profile figures – from Jonathon Porritt to Zac Goldsmith, from Sir David Attenborough to Prince Charles – to take the honour. The judges set out to identify who is really making a difference in Britain, (IoS)
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Second consultation on Birmingham Airport runway extension
Opponents fighting plans for a 130ft extension to the main runway at Birmingham Airport have a second chance to voice their disapproval after Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council reopened public consultation on the contentious proposals for another 20 days. Environmental campaigners welcomed the decision after complaining not enough people were aware of the airport’s intentions. The deadline is now some time in December. (UK Airport News)
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Trees come to London to help save their woodland at Stansted
Six "trees" from the Woodland Trust descended on London in September, to tell people about the direct threat to ancient forest from the proposed 2nd runway at Stansted. Our ancient forest is comparable to rainforest, and cannot easily be replaced by a couple of hundred saplings. Though people appreciate the climate change arguments, they often don't realise the biodiversity implications - the trees in London spread the word about. (Woodland Trust)
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Unions join the fight against Heathrow expansion
Campaign for Better Transport has joined with 6 unions and 9 organisations to condemn plans for airport expansion. They say if the Government pushes ahead with expanding our airports, the UK won't be able to meet the new target of cutting emissions by 80% by 2050 and play its part in fighting climate change. CBT research reveals businesses already attribute many benefits to alternatives to air travel such as rail travel and teleconferencing.
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AirportWatch statement on the Stansted expansion decision
AirportWatch, the umbrella body which consists of national environmental organisations and local airport campaign groups, has condemned the Government’s decision to allow expansion at Stansted Airport. The Government has argued that the impact on climate change was not relevant when making its decision, ignoring the huge impact of aviation CO2 emissions. All AirportWatch members will support SSE in the continued fight to reverse this ludicrous decision.
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“PREDICTABLE, CYNICAL AND UNJUSTIFIED” – says SSE in response to Government’s approval for an extra 10 million passengers a year at Stansted
SSE described the decision by the Government to approve an increase in Stansted's permitted passenger throughput from 25 million passengers per annum to 35mppa as entirely predictable, cynical and unjustified. However, the campaign group is warning BAA and Ferrovial not to assume the matter is settled since initial readings of the Inspector's report and Government decision letter indicate that there may well be scope for legal challenge. (SSE)
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Stansted airport expansion to go ahead
Stansted, Britain's biggest budget airline hub, received the go-ahead to handle 10 million more passengers but was warned by Ryanair and easyJet that it faces fewer flights if it hikes fees to pay for the expansion. The government rubber-stamped a proposal to lift the passenger cap at the Essex airport from 25 million per year to 35 million, which allows around 120 more daily flights. The Conservatives backed the expansion but would oppose a 2nd runway. (Guardian)
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Heathrow expansion "not going to happen" – Vince Cable
Vince Cable spoke out against Heathrow’s 3rd runway, at a debate in London. Addressing an audience at the Royal Geographical Society, he said: "The business case is weak and overstated, and politically, in any case, it is not going to happen." He highlighted political opposition to the plans within Labour itself as well as the two main UK opposition parties, making the likelihood of expansion slim after the next general election. (ABTN)
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Green light for City airport flights 50% expansion
London City airport has won planning permission to increase the number of take-offs and landings by around 50%. The airport has grown rapidly in recent years with passenger volumes rising by more than 20% a year in both 2006 and 2007. Growth of both commercial passenger numbers and corporate jet movements has been hit hard by the turmoil in global financial markets, however. The airport hopes passenger numbers could rise to more than 3.9m a year. (FT)
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Uproar as Newham Council gives go-ahead to City Airport Expansion
There was uproar in Newham Town Hall as the Council gave the go-ahead for a 50% increase in flights despite the admission by the airport that all the noise measurements it has taken since 2000 are unlikely to be accurate. Airport representatives told the Council’s Planning Committee that, because of technical difficulties, they had not been able to take accurate noise measurements for the last 8 years. A legal challenge is likely. (FtF and HACAN)
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Job losses at Blackpool Airport
Staff at Blackpool Airport fear for their jobs as bosses take action to cope with the effects of the global credit crunch, the Gazette reports. Temporary staff will not have their contracts renewed and many full-time workers are to be asked to re-apply for roles in other departments at the airport. (UK Airport News)
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Committee on Climate Change advises the Government to reduce Greenhouse gas emissions in the UK by at least 80% by 2050
The Committee on Climate Change today published its interim advice to Government on what the long-term target should be to tackle climate change. The CCC recommended that emissions from harmful Greenhouse Gases be reduced by at least 80% by 2050. The CCC said that the 80% target should apply on average across all sectors of the UK economy and is achievable at affordable cost of between 1-2% of GDP in 2050. See the CCC letter and press release.
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Heathrow third runway will ‘damage health’
A 3rd runway at Heathrow would be "very detrimental" to Londoners' health, according to the new head of the Environment Agency. Lord Smith of Finsbury said the government had lost track of the green issues and said a new runway would fail EU air pollution limits. He said "All the studies we've done in the Environment Agency of the likely impact of air quality on west London are very detrimental" and NOx levels would be higher than is healthy. (BBC)
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Joint letter from Green NGOs in the Guardian about Conservative policy on Heathrow
A joint letter from the Directors of HACAN and six major environmental NGOs says that evidence is now clear that the prosperity of the entire UK economy does not hinge on the expansion of one airport in South East England - and that the Conservatives are right believe there is no need for a third runway.
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Fight over Newcastle airport boss’s £6m bonus
THE former boss of Newcastle Airport is set for a High Court battle with his old employers over a multi-million-pound bonus row. John Parkin was paid a £6m bonus package before he resigned from his post as chief executive last May. The case will be at London's High Court on October 20th. It's expected to last between 12 and 15 days. Mr Parkin, who went on to take charge of Leeds Bradford Airport, was suspended from his post in March. (Shields Gazette)
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Residents oppose Cardiff airport access road
Angry residents campaigning against plans to build an access road to Cardiff Airport mounted a protest in Barry yesterday. The Welsh Assembly Government has asked for the public’s view on 3 options for a road to the airport. Many Vale residents do not want a new road at all. An anti-access road action group - NEVAR (No Ely Valley Airport Road) - held a demonstration outside the Civic Offices, saying there was no need for an access road. (Wales online and BBC)
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Manchester Airport plan threatens 400-year-old cottage
Plans to bulldoze a 400-year-old cottage and build two cargo warehouses at Manchester airport have been described as `cultural barbarism'. The airport wants 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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East Midlands – No realistic controls over environmental blighting by airport’s activities
Members of a coalition of residents' and environmental organisations met this week with officers of North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC). Grievances are principally concerned with noise due to night-time flying. The implications inherent in the proposal by East Midlands Airport to extend the runway to just over 3 kilometres are a major concern, additional to the existing chronic night time noise disturbance. (residents' coalition)
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‘Island airport’ idea criticised by Kent County Council
A suggestion by London's Mayor that a 24-hour, 4-runway airport could be built on an artificial island in the Thames estuary - near the Isle of Sheppey - has been branded a "big bad idea". Paul Carter the Tory leader of Kent County Council said the estuary was an "unsuitable" location. The Thames estuary has a lot of mist and fog in winter. However Kent Reliance Building Society welcomed Boris Johnson's idea. (BBC)
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New fears over Suffolk air traffic
Campaigners fighting a 2nd runway at Stansted have claimed closer scrutiny of the plan reveals there could be a major impact on the peaceful Suffolk countryside. Campaigners and the Suffolk Preservation Society have joined forces to call for the plans to be shelved. People in the Lavenham and Newmarket areas particularly have voiced concerns. They say the county's tranquility would be "severely" shattered. (East Anglian Daily Times)
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London City Airport Flash Mob – 8th October 2008
There will be a flash mob about London City Airport's expansion plans, on Wednesday 8th October, outside Newham Town Hall, Barking Road, East Ham, London E6, where the Development Control meeting will take place. The meeting is expected to give permission for expansion of the airport, from its current 80,000 to 120,000 a year. The increased flights will be highly detrimental to the local community, in terms of noise and air pollution. Come and support the flash mob!
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Manchester ‘Flash mob’ protest over airport
PROTEST groups descended on the Labour Party conference to oppose the expansion of Manchester Airport. The flash mob, from the new environmental pressure group Stop Expansion at Manchester Airport (SEMA), was designed to highlight the 'madness' of plans that would see the number of passengers double to 50 million a year by 2030. SEMA protester Robbie Gillett said the airport already responsible for as much CO2 per year as Uganda. (Manchester Evening News)
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(Lydd Airport) Zaher Deir in shock resignation
Zaher Deir, managing director of London Ashford Airport (Lydd), has announced his resignation with immediate effect following a top-level bust-up. He cited differences with the shareholders and a member of the board of LAA who are responsible for running the business. Under his direction, LAA has submitted 2 planning applications - one for a new terminal building, the other is for a 294-metre runway extension. A decision is expected shortly. (Kent News)
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(Southend) Bigger airport means ‘more noise for Leigh’
More than 200 people attended a meeting organised by the local branch of Friends of the Earth to draw up battle lines against the expansion, and to form a new committee to fight it. The larger airport, which could mean the demolition of some houses, is expected to cater for two million passengers a year, which equates to 40 flights a day. While there are restrictions on night passenger flights, there are none on night freight flights. (Echo)
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Protest by the Woodland Trust against Stansted runway
A group of "trees" gathered outside BAA's offices in London to protest against the loss of ancient woodland which a second runway at Stansted Airport would cause. The campaigners from the Woodland Trust dressed up as the trees of ancient Philipland Wood, one of five ancient forest sites which would be lost if the second runway goes ahead. (AOL)
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(Anglesey) Island airport seeks new routes
A 45-minute service started between Anglesey and Cardiff in May 2007, but there are now proposals to connect with London and Dublin. Plans are at an early stage, but a feasibility study is being carried out. The airport was built and is managed by Anglesey council, while the Welsh Assembly Government subsidises the north-south air service. The Welsh Assembly Government invested £1.3m in the project. Highland Airways is the airport's sole airline. (BBC)
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Climate protester disrupts Ryanair AGM (Ireland)
Ryanair’s AGM was disrupted by a climate change activist in Dublin. A topless protester approached the top of the meeting in Radisson Hotel, Dublin Airport, to where Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary was on the podium. The protest was organised by a group calling itself Plane Mad, who are campaigning for the responsible use of aviation, and say aviation will negate all other CO2 reductions in Ireland if curent growth continues. (Irish Times)
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Consultation begins on Heathrow equalities impact assessment
The DfT has today begun a consultation on how airport development at Heathrow might affect different demographic groups living near to the airport. The Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA) forms part of the Impact Assessment underpinning the 'Adding Capacity at Heathrow Airport' consultation, and seeks to establish the impact of airport development on different groups in terms of race, disability, age and social deprivation. Ends 9th November. (DfT)
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(Bristol) Campaigners hit out at airport plans
SBAE has hit out at plans to increase passenger numbers at Bristol Airport (BIA) to 10 million a year by 2016. The figures were included in a planning document submitted to North Somerset Council, which shows proposals to extend part of the terminal to make room for more aircraft and also expand car parking facilities. Hilary Burn said that given aviation's contribution to climate change, it would be madness to allow it to expand in this way. (Mercury)
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(Aberdeen) Airport bosses blame credit crunch for fall in passengers
Aberdeen Airport has seen a fall in passenger figures for the 4th month in a row. The figures cap a disappointing summer for the airport, with lower figures than 2007. Footfall was down 5.4% in August compared with 2007. The airport handled 299,197 passengers last month, and saw a sharp decline of 8.4% in customers on domestic flights, but did see an increase of 1.4% in inter-national passengers. In July passenger numbers fell by 2.6%. (Press & Journal)
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Mayor backs London City Airport’s plan to boost flights by half
Boris Johnson has given the "green light" to City Airport plans for a 50% increase in flights. Newham Council delayed the planning decision last month after Mr Johnson intervened, saying he wanted the project to meet certain conditions first. He is now happy to back the proposal, which would see an increase in the number of flights from 80,000 to 120,000 a year by 2010. Green Assembly member Darren Johnson criticised the Mayor's decision. (Standard)
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DEFRA opens consultation on airport action plans to address aircraft noise
The UK’s Environment Minister, Jonathan Shaw, has called for views on how noise from English airports can be managed effectively and issued for comment draft guidance for action plans that airport operators must draw up on measures they will take to manage and, where appropriate, reduce the level of noise impact on local communities. This follows on from an EU directive of 2002. The deadline is 28th Nov, and Shaw urges anyone with an interest to respond. (GreenAir)
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Doncaster Airport masterplan to be unveiled
Robin Hood Airport will reveal its blueprint for the future to councillors later this week. Owners Peel Holdings, who last week lost their appeal with Doncaster Council for a business rate exemption worth nearly £4million, are scheduled to present an update on their draft masterplan to the borough's economy and enterprise panel on Thursday. The master plan will set out business proposals for up to 2030 including future levels of investment. (Free Press)
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(Manchester) Jobs to go at airport
Around 180 baggage handlers, check-in staff and other workers look set to lose their jobs at Manchester Airport. Servisair Manchester, which provides ground handling services for airlines, has written to staff informing them of potential compulsory redundancies and is now in negotiations with union officials. The firm intend to cut up to 180 positions by 13th November. (Manchester Evening News)
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(Belfast) Class ‘disrupted’ by plane noise
A survey of schools in the flight path of George Best Belfast City Airport reports disruption of classes and outdoor play time. But the airport says the report is scaremongering and it has not received complaints from any schools. Belfast City Airport Watch is calling on the Environment Minister to take urgent action following the results of its survey which it claims reveals that aircraft noise is causing problems for many Belfast schools. (BBC)
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Belfast City Airport (George Best) sells for £132.5m
Belfast City Airport has been sold - by Ferrovial - for £132.5m to the ABN AMRO Global Infrastructure Fund. With the sale, the vendors have more than trebled their money in 5 years - they paid £35m for it. The new owner may want to extend the runway for bigger planes or push for extra flights. Completion of the sale is expected to take place towards the end of September 2008. This year, the airport is likely to be used by about 2.7m passengers. (BBC)
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Southend Airport almost ready for take-off
Southend airport staff are waiting to hear the result of a sealed bid auction by Regional Airports for its 99-year lease, which is expected to fetch £100 million. The airport has plans for a four-star hotel, extended runway and railway terminal, which could lead to a boom in leisure flights. Airport bosses are anxious to move ahead with extending the runway by diverting Eastwoodbury Lane, which could enable planes to fly as far as southern Spain. (Echo)
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Frankfurt airport direct action camp
Campaigners against the expansion of Frankfurt airport have been squatting the forest of Kelsterbach, where the airport's bosses plan to clearcut 100,000 trees to build a new runway. The runway would double the number of flights, destroying any last remenant of peace and quiet for local residents. (Plane Stupid)
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Noise Levels Used to Assess Health Impacts of Airports Too High?
With the publication today of the DEFRA consultation on guidance for Noise Action Planning for Airport Operators – Environmental Protection UK are reminding operators and Government that assessment of the impact of aviation noise on people must be based on robust research. The ANASE report and work commissioned for HACAN found that increasingly people are annoyed below the 57 dB(A) contours. (Environmental Protection)
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Glasgow airport: Back our noise cash fight
People living under Glasgow Airport's flight path hope a sell-off of the airport could help them win compensation for their noise nightmare. West of Scotland MSP Gil Paterson wants Scots councils to buy a joint Golden Share' in the airport if it is put up for sale, so residents jointly buy a share in any new business that owns the airport. (Glasgow Evening News)
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Airport expansion scuppers housing scheme
Two appeals involving the development of land close to Birmingham international airport have failed because of the potential for future occupiers to be harmed by aircraft noise. The schemes would have involved the construction of 16 apartments and between 55 and 57 houses. An inspector ruled that in 2030 the whole of the appeal site would be subject to a level of noise exposure where planning permission should not normally be given. (Planning Daily)
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(Glasgow) Bankies asked to film BAA being a ‘bad neighbour’
Bankies [residents of Clydebank] are being asked to submit video evidence of BAA being a "bad neighbour" in a bid to get the airport regulator served with an ASBO. The move is part of an action plan which campaign group AirportWatch Scotland has created to try and make the Glasgow Airport owner listen to residents’ grievances about noise levels from planes thundering over the town. An example would be video of a plane flying too low. (Clydebank Post)
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Heathrow Third runway will breach pollution limit, Stavros Dimas warns
The EU has waded into the debate over expanding Heathrow by warning that plans for a third runway will "significantly" breach air pollution guidelines. Stavros Dimas, the European commissioner for the environment, said he will contact the British government over this, putting further pressure on ministers. An expanded Heathrow will miss EU-imposed NOx targets after January 2015 - the latest possible date that it can meet the guidelines. (Guardian)
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(Heathrow) BAA talks on Crossrail in ‘final stages’
Talks aimed at pursuading BAA to put up an estimated £250m towards the new rail link between Heathrow and the City are in their "final stages". The news emerged as ministers were on Thursday forced to deny claims that Crossrail’s funding was in doubt. The government is under pressure to finalise a deal, with BAA to contribute towards the £16bn project. There are also questions over the ability of the City of London Corporation to raise its £350m share. (FT)
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(Cardiff) Outrage at plans for link road to airport
Options for a proposed link road to Cardiff International Airport, one of which cuts through a Barry Golf Course, has sparked a wave of opposition. The three options for the new road have been put forward by Consultants Ove Arup & Partners Ltd and staff from Transport Wales, on behalf of the the Welsh Assembly Government, in a bid to deal with growing levels of traffic to and from the airport. (Barry and District News)
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Eco-protest by Plane Stupid hits Gatwick
Eco-activists breached security at Gatwick airport today in a protest against short-haul flights. Two campaigners clambered on to the roof rafters in the arrivals lounge, unfurling a banner urging travellers to use trains rather than planes. Two more activists handcuffed themselves to railings on a mezzanine floor, and others handed out leaflets. The campaign of disruption coincides with a protest camp near Kingsnorth power station in Kent. (Evening Standard)
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Bristol Airport aims to improve green credentials – with a wind turbine
Bristol International Airport is finalising plans for a wind turbine, which might produce 10% of its electricity. It also wants cooking oil to be recycled into fuel for its ground operations vehicles. Meanwhile in November, it will submit a planning application to increase passenger numbers from 6 million a year at present to 9 million a year by 2015. (This is Bristol)
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Highlands airports report more passengers
The numbers of passengers passing through Highlands and Islands airports reached a record 1.2m for the year up to March. Publicly owned Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) - which recieves government subsidies - said the figure represented a 3% increase on last year. However, its annual report shows a trading loss for the period of £724,000 after tax. (BBC)
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Boris thwarts City Airport plans
A decision on London City Airport's bid to increase flight numbers has been delayed by the Mayor of London Boris Johnson. About 50 people turned up at Newham Council's planning meeting in Stratford, held to debate the airport's application, but were told the Mayor had intervened at the last minute. Outside the meeting, those against the airport's plans were happy with the delay, as it should give more people time to find out about the plans.(Wharf)
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City flights decision is delayed
A decision that could allow thousands more planes to fly from London City Airport has been deferred. Flights would increase from 80,000 to 120,000 a year if Newham Council's planning committee had given the go-ahead. The delay follows a request by London's mayor that the decision be delayed until after a study by NATS is published, looking at how the proposed expansion might impact the Thames Gateway Bridge proposals. (BBC)
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East Midland Airport claims airport complaints down
One person complained 2,000 times about airport noise in a year, it has emerged. The person contacted East Midlands Airport an average of 5 times a day during 2007. They were among 13 residents responsible for more than 6,300 complaints about the Castle Donington airport last year. Last year, nearly 20,000 planes flew over the area between the hours of 11pm and 7am - an increase of 2,000 on the previous 12 months. (This is Leicestershire) Complaints about noise were made about flights during the daytime and night. The leader of a campaign group calling for an end to night flights at the airport said he was not among the most persistent callers - but said people were right to complain.
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East and south east London residents are prepared for a battle over London City Airport
London City Airport's application to expand flights by 50% to 120,000 flights per year is to be considered by the London Borough of Newhamn on 30th July. Fight the Flights, campaigners and local residents will be present to voice their concerns and request a public inquiry into the application. The Case Officer has recommended approval, despite an unprecedented amount of objections. (Fight the Flights)
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Plan for third Heathrow runway is white elephant, Professor Sir David King warns
Government plans for a third runway at Heathrow airport were branded a white elephant yesterday by the former chief scientific adviser Professor Sir David King. He suggested that government plans to expand British airport capacity were both short-sighted and economically unsound. He said that pricing CO2 will "drive people toward land-based travel rather than air, and investments in new runways will turn out to be white elephants." (Guardian)
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‘Plane Speaking’- Scottish communities respond to Government airport expansion plans
AirportWatch Scotland will be holding a series of public meetings in Edinburgh and Glasgow next month. The meetings are expected to attract local residents and environmentalists concerned about the plans to expand Glasgow and Edinburgh airports. The purpose of the meetings is to enable local residents affected by the airports to influence the National Planning Framework. (AirportWatch Scotland)
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Switch flights to City Airport ‘to ease pressure’ – says report
The "Aviation Services and The City" report said more short-haul carriers should fly out of London City Airport, if the capital wanted to retain its status as one of the world's financial centres. The report by York Aviation said that while a third runway at Heathrow is the "obvious" solution to airport congestion, it suggested thatv City Airport could schedule more short-haul and business flights to relieve the pressures on Heathrow. (Standard)
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Heathrow expansion protestors may disrupt airport
'Direct Action' training camps are being set up as protestors belonging to an array of groups prepare to intensify their campaign against moves to increase the number of flights at Heathrow. These camps will be held over the next few months in readiness for a series of demonstrations and flash mobs targetted directly at Heathrow over the Autumn. The hardening of the tactics was agreed at a meeting of anti-Heathrow activists over the weekend. (Telegraph)
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