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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:
Carlisle Airport – protest over airport expansion plans
Around 20 green campaigners protested outside the offices of airport owner Andrew Tinkler at Parkhouse, Carlisle, to demand a public inquiry. They claim that an expanded Carlisle Airport could become an international air-freight hub for large 737 and 747 jets. (News and Star)
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Silverjet chief defends strategy as airline’s value crashes to £11m
Silverjet's shares plumbed new lows yesterday – dropping 22% to 17p to value the group at just £11m. Silverjet is an all-business class airline based at Luton Airport. The fall in its share price reflects a growing sense of foreboding about the viability of the all-business class airline model. (Independent)
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Sleepers ‘at risk’ from jet noise
Night-time noise from aircraft or traffic raises blood pressure even while people sleep, a study suggests. Researchers monitored 140 sleeping volunteers in their homes near Heathrow and 3 other big European airports. Volunteers' blood pressure increased after exposure to a noise louder than 35 decibels - whether it came from overhead aircraft, or snoring. (BBC)
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True scale of C0 ² emissions from shipping revealed
The true scale of climate change emissions from shipping is almost 3 times higher than previously believed, according to a leaked UN study. It calculates that annual emissions from the world's merchant fleet have already reached 1.12bn tonnes of CO ², or nearly 4.5% of all global emissions of the main greenhouse gas. (Guardian)
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East Midlands Airport’s first EMA Cargo Newsletter
East Midlands Airport has released the first EMA Cargo Newsletter, aimed at keeping all stakeholders in EMA’s cargo business up-to-date with the latest cargo statistics including tonnes handled, Air Transport Movements and top trading countries. The newsletter will also keep you informed of new services (cargo and passenger) operating at EMA. Air cargo grew year-on-year by 1.55%. (East Midlands Airport)
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Husband and wife MPs – Alan and Ann Keen – lead Heathrow protest
A junior minister is taking on the Government over its expansion plans for Heathrow airport. Health minister Ann Keen, a former aide to Gordon Brown, has come out against plans for a third runway. She and her husband Alan Keen, Labour MPs for neighbouring constituencies in Hounslow, have launched a survey on Heathrow to rival the Government's consultation. (Evening Standard)
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On 12th February, a peaceful demonstration has been organised against the planned expansion of Carlisle Airport
A peaceful demonstration has been arranged by the South Lakeland Action on Climage Change group (SLACC), on Tuesday 12th February. The group believes that evidence suggests the planning application submitted for the expansion of the airport is highly misleading. (SLACC)
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Boris Johnson airs plan for Heathrow-on-Sea
Opponents of expansion are reviving plans for a new airport in the Thames estuary. The backlash against the blight of Heathrow has resurrected demands to switch the capital’s principal airport to the Thames estuary. Boris Johnson has announced that Heathrow was a "planning error" and ministers should consider phasing it out. [and Comment"Time for a new airport] (Sunday Times)
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Aircraft numbers may double by 2026
Airbus is warning that more runways are needed to accommodate a doubling of the global aircraft fleet by 2026. The European planemaker predicted that over 28,500 passenger and freight aircraft would be flying in less than two decades' time - more than double the current total of 13,284. Britain will be third-largest customer for new planes (Guardian)
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CAA Approves Terminal Control South West Airspace Change Proposal
Changes to the airspace structure linking the Midlands to the south coast of England have been approved by the CAA and will come into effect on 10 April 2008. Due to a redistribution of traffic above AONBs and the New Forest National Park, some areas will experience a reduction in the proportion of overflying aircraft. The CAA claims any increase in noise for some is "within the Government agreed level". (CAA)
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Birmingham – Airport threat misses target
Villagers were left stunned by letters which appeared to tell them they would have to give up their homes for an expansion of Birmingham International Airport. Up to 30 households in Bickenhill were sent what seemed to be Compulsory Purchase Orders by a company working on behalf of the airport. (Birmingham Mail)
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South West protesters press MPs on airports
Campaigners against expansion of airports in Devon and Cornwall have taken their protest to Westminster. South West Air Action, (AirportWatch South West) is concerned about plans for Newquay, Exeter and Plymouth airports. The group fears increased noise, traffic and rises in climate-changing aircraft emissions. (BBC)
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Heathrow – Third runway ‘would ruin lessons for 100,000 children’
More than 100,000 children could have their education blighted by aircraft noise if a third runway is built at Heathrow. The Evening Standard has identified 114 schools in west London which will suffer from serious noise levels if the proposed airport expansion is approved. (London Evening Standard)
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East Midlands Day of Action on the Climate Change Bill outside East Midlands Airport on Saturday April 12th
You are cordially invited to an East Midlands Day of Action on the Climate Change Bill outside East Midlands Airport on Saturday April 12th. FoE East Midlands want as many people as possible posing outside the airport wearing Gordon Brown masks with their hands over their eyes, as the planes fly overhead.
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Climate protesters plan campaign of direct action against UK polluters
Climate change protesters have made plans for a nationwide campaign of direct action against greenhouse gas polluters across the UK. They warn that the campaign is set to become "more urgent" in the face of mounting evidence of growing environmental damage. Campaigners say they will target Heathrow again but escalate the campaign by striking at other targets across the country. (Independent on Sunday)
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A380 makes test flight on alternative fuel
An Airbus A380, the world's largest airliner, became the first commercial jet aircraft to use alternative fuel on Friday, marking a milestone on the road to biofuels. The fuel used, a mix of 60% standard jet kerosene and 40% GTL, was used in one of the A380's 4 engines. (Reuters)
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Heathrow – BA ‘pensions blackmail’ in push for third runway
British Airways has been accused of seeking to "blackmail" retired staff into backing Heathrow expansion by suggesting their pensions may be at risk. The airline has sent a leaflet to former workers urging them to write to Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly to back plans for a 3rd runway. (Evening Standard)
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Singapore Airlines to launch Airbus A380 Flights to London in March
Singapore Airlines has confirmed it will fly the world’s largest passenger aircraft - the Airbus A380 - on the Singapore-London route, from 18 March 2008. The inaugural flight will be the first-ever A380 commercial service to Europe. (Asia Travel Tips)
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London City Airport – It’s just business for BA to New York
British Airways is to launch all-business class flights next year between London City airport and New York. The niche service will be the first time that long-haul flights have operated from the airport (Financial Times)
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Aviation duty: a consultation launched by the Treasury
A consultation on aviation duty has been launched by the Treasury. The consultation follows an announcement in the 2007 Pre-Budget Report that Air Passenger Duty is to be replaced by a duty paid on a per plane basis in November 2009. "Aviation duty: a consultation", sets out options for the detailed design of the new per plane duty (Treasury Press Release)
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UK greenhouse gas emissions fell in 2006 – but those from aviation rose
DEFRA has released figures that show emissions of climate-warming greenhouse gases edged down 0.5% in 2006. Britain has said it is a world leader in the fight against global warming and is introducing self-imposed legally binding targets to cut carbon emissions by 26-32% by 2025 and 60% by 2050 below 1990 levels. (Reuters)
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The great Heathrow con. The British public have been led to believe the third runway is essential. That’s untrue
At one stroke we are looking at a con, perhaps the greatest ever perpetrated on the British people by the DfT. For BAA itself is telling us that 28 million more people could use Heathrow without a new runway and without breaking the cap on flights. "Heathrow is full". Those three little words send sober people into paroxysms. (Comment - The Times)
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Beijing plans to build 97 regional airports
The Chinese government has launched an ambitious plan to build 97 regional airports by 2020, at an estimated cost of $62.5bn in an attempt to meet soaring domestic passenger and cargo demand. The cabinet has approved the plan in recent days, stipulating that 45 of the new airports are to be finished by the end of 2010. (Financial Times)
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End unfair subsidy of cheap air travel, to regenerate British seaside resorts, Travelodge tells Inquiry
Travelodge, the UK's fastest growing budget hotel chain, told a House of Commons Select Committee inquiry into tourism today that unfair tax breaks for short haul airlines are slowly bringing the curtain down on regional tourism including Britain's seaside resorts. (Travelodge press release)
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Southend airport up for sale
The owners of London Southend airport have put the business up for sale, in the search for investors to finance its £35m development as a 6th airport for the UK capital. Regional Airports (RAL), which owns both Southend and Biggin Hill airports, has plans for development in time for the Olympics in 2012. (Financial Times)
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London City Airport – Fight the Flights campaign launch at public meeting
The first 'Fight the Flights' Communities Meeting will be held on Wednesday 6th February, in West Silvertown. The new group - a coalition of local resident campaigners from the boroughs affected - are concerned by the airport's expansion plans. The meeting will be an opportunity to find out what the proposed increase in flights will mean locally. (Fight the Flights)
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EnoughsEnough advert – “Flightmare – on Drowning Street”
EnoughsEnough have produced another of their tremendous full page ads - this one is headed "Flightmare - on Drowning Street". The ad, which is a spoof film poster showing Gordon Brown, planes and a drowning Westminster, asks people to email the DfT on the Heathrow consultation.
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Heathrow – Legal threat to airport plan
Government proposals for a 3rd runway at Heathrow airport are facing a possible legal challenge that could jeopardise the multi-billion-pound plan. Residents living under the flight path, local councils and environmental groups are consulting lawyers - and Greenpeace is also seeking a judicial review.They believe there are strong grounds for arguing that the DfT consultation process is so flawed that it is not valid. (Times)
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Heathrow – Britain’s new eco battle
A historic decision over a new runway for Heathrow is close. And as airports across the UK unveil new expansion plans the growth of aviation will become a fierce battleground between environmentalists and big business. It is a struggle which will shape Britain's eco future for generations to come. (Observer)
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Airfixed! Why the government’s consultation on Heathrow is a sham
Greenpeace volunteers attended the final Heathrow consultation exhibition on 25th January to let the public know that the whole process is a sham - ignoring the threat of climate change in favour of the quick profits to be made from airport expansion. (Greenpeace)
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Heathrow’s Terminal 5 – BBC London asks the public what they think
After five and a half years of construction work Heathrow's new Terminal 5 is getting ready to open on 27 March 2008. BBC London toured the building, report about it in detail - and ask the public for their comments. (BBC London)
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London City airport – Mayor set for a dogfight over City airport
Ken Livingstone is on collision course with the big employers at Canary Wharf and in the City over his plans for London City airport. Stuart Popham, senior partner in Clifford Chance, which is at the Wharf, [has sent a letter to Ken] requesting a meeting to discuss his "apparent opposition to the continuing success of London City airport". (Times, City Diary)
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Emissions targets and international air travel
Opinion - John Lanchester) You'd have thought the Government - committed as it is to the EU target of cutting greenhouse emissions by 20% by 2020 - would be trying to bring an end to the rocketing expansion of British air travel. Instead, it is committed to the largest expansion of airport traffic in history, from 216 million passengers in 2005 to a projected figure of 470 million in 2030. (Telegraph)
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Oxford Airport commences work on new private aviation terminal
Oxford Airport has started work on a brand new, first class business aviation terminal to cater for private jet crew and passengers. Scheduled for completion in June this year, the new facility will triple the space of the existing general aviation terminal. (Asia Travel Tips)
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Inverness – Airport does not need permission to open 24 hours a day
Inverness Airport could open to flights 24 hours a day without seeking permission from Highland Council, it emerged yesterday. The council's planning, environment and development committee was told that independent legal advice confirmed that Highlands and Islands Airports were not obliged to seek planning permission for the move. (This is North Scotland)
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Carlisle Airport plans get county council support
Plans to revamp Carlisle Airport, including the construction of a new terminal, have won unanimous backing from Cumbria County councillors. However, Carlisle City Council have the final say on the plans, which have yet to be approved.
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EU sets 20% target for carbon cuts
The commission confirmed the goal of cutting 20% from Europe's carbon emissions by 2020 compared with 1990 levels, and generating 20% of the EU's power from renewable sources by that time. Britain must get 15% of its energy for heat, electricity and transport from renewables such as wind, wave, tidal, solar and biomass. (Guardian)
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Stansted – BAA fine tuning application for second runway
BAA is honing the finer details of an official submission of its blueprint for a second runway. The definitive decision on its G1 expansion proposals is expected soon, and it is expected to give the green light for Stansted to scale up to new record highs in passenger numbers. Regardless of that outcome, BAA will submit its G2 second runway plans. (Business Weekly)
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BAA refuses to rule out fourth Heathrow runway and a seventh terminal
BAA signalled yesterday that a 4th runway and a 7th terminal could be needed eventually at Heathrow. They had previously indicated that the 3rd runway and the 5th terminal would be the limit of the airport's expansion. However, Stephen Nelson refused to rule out further growth, saying that he did not want to make promises that the company might have to break (Times)
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Lydd Airport expansion debate postponed
A council meeting on Lydd Airport's expansion plans has been postponed because planning officers say they do not have enough information. Shepway District Council was to have debated plans to build a new terminal and extend the runway at London Ashford Airport (LAA), at Lydd, on 30 January. The meeting will be rescheduled for a date in 2 to 6 months' time. (UK Airport News)
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Heathrow oppositon hold largest public meeting in Wandsworth for 20 years
The largest public meeting in Wandsworth for more than 20 years was held on Thursday when more than 700 people came to hear about plans to expand Heathrow Airport. The vast majority were against expansion, adding to the groundswell of opposition to the Government's proposals for a third runway. (Local Guardian)
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Plane Stupid Scotland: activists blockade Edinburgh airport private jets
Over 20 environmental protesters breached security at Edinburgh Airport and blockaded the entrance to the private jet company, Greer Aviation. They pledged that this as part of a nationwide campaign to reverse the current plans for a tripling of air travel in Scotland. (Plane Stupid, Scotland)
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Newquay Airport expansion given go-ahead
Expansion plans for Cornwall's Newquay Airport have received planning approval. The upgrade will include a larger arrivals hall and departure lounge with an extra gate, a new retail outlet, business lounge and more seating. Airport car parking spaces will also increase and a covered walkway will be built to link arrivals and departures halls. (UK Airport News)
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Heathrow crash landing – will a third runway add to the risk?
While the crash on 17th January is the first on either landing or takeoff at Heathrow since 1972, the issue of building another runway at the airport raises fears among some that increasing the number of aircraft landing and taking off will have an effect on safety. The "public safety zones" around a proposed 3rd runway take on greater significance. (BBC)
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Airliner crash-lands at Heathrow
A British Airways passenger plane has crash-landed short of the south runway at Heathrow Airport, ripping off part of its undercarriage. All 136 passengers and 16 crew escaped from the flight from Beijing, but 18 people were taken to hospital with minor injuries. The plane skidding across grass and came to a halt on the tarmac. (BBC)
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Heathrow consultation branded ‘intimidating’ by Plain English campaign
Campaigners for the use of plain English have demanded a consultation document for plans to expand Heathrow be rewritten. The founding director of Plain English Campaign branded the Government document "atrocious" and slammed the excessive use of jargon. (Wimbledon Guardian)
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London City airport – Newham do a U-turn on their responsibility to consult in Greenwich
After months of denial from Newham Council that they did not have to consult in the neighbouring Borough of Greenwich, just under a mile from the end of the runway - Newham Council Planning Department have finally realised that they ARE responsible for consulting directly with residents in Greenwich and all adjoining occupiers. (Fight the Flights campaign)
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DECISION NOT TO DE-DESIGNATE (for price control) STANSTED AIRPORT
Stop Stansted Expansion (SSE) has welcomed the announcement today (15 January) that the Department for Transport (DfT) has decided not to remove price controls at Stansted Airport. "This news will be a major blow to BAA's hopes of funding a second runway at Stansted through vastly inflated airport charges," said SSE’s Economics Adviser, Brian Ross. (Stop Stansted Expansion)
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Bristol Airport – BIA APPEARS TO BE EXPANDING BY STEALTH…
Bristol Airport put in a planning application to North Somerset Council under a General Permitted Development Order to construct a walkway between the terminal building and the western apron. It looks insignificant, but on closer investigation the development that has been applied for will allow an increase in passenger throughput and increased flight movements. (South West Air Action)
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Belfast – Viewpoint: Flying high on aviation boom
The service by Aer Lingus from Belfast Aldegrove to London Heathrow has been restored after a gap of more than six years. Although bmi has maintained the Heathrow connection with its eight flights a day operation from Belfast City Airport, there is now competition from Aer Lingus. (Belfast Telegraph)
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City Airport’s new record passenger numbers
PASSENGER numbers at London City Airport reached a record high in 2007 with over 2.9 million people travelling to and from it. This was a 23% increase in passenger numbers compared with 2006. (Newham Recorder)
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March of the penguins: Plane Stupid reclaim the ice
Around 30 penguins 'reclaimed the ice' at the Natural History Museum's ice rink in protest at British Airways sponsorship of the museum's annual winter festivities. The protestors, from "Plane Stupid", dressed as penguins to highlight the irony of an airline creating an ice rink in central London, whilst its business activities are a major cause of global warming. (UK Indymedia)
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CAA publishes report on trends in UK air passenger traffic
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has published a report, Recent Trends in Growth of UK Air Passenger Demand, which sets out an analysis of how growth in different segments of passenger traffic at UK airports has changed in recent years and the likely causes of these changes (CAA website)
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Bird strike risk a major hazard for Lydd
A new report warns that expansion of tiny Lydd Airport in south-east Kent could create a serious bird strike risk to passenger aircraft. The assessment, by Professor Chris Feare, describes the site where airport operators want to extend the runway and rebuild the terminal as 'extremely hazardous' likening it to the abandoned plan to build an airport at nearby Cliffe Marshes. (RSPB)
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Heathrow – Richmond residents get organised against Heathrow expansion
A group of residents, members of Friends of Richmond Green and The Richmond Society and other local interest groups, have got together to oppose the proposed Heathrow changes. Their action group - Richmond Heathrow Campaign - is active in informing and mobilising local people, who will be badly affected by Heathrow's expansion plans. (Richmond Heathrow Campaign)
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Lydd airport opponents press for application to be called in – decision end of January
Shepway District Council will vote on whether to sanction expansion at Lydd at a special meeting on January 30th. The airport has submitted plans for a runway extension based on 300,000 passengers per annum and another for a new terminal based on 500,000 passengers per annum.
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ASA brands Boeing “untruthful” over claim the 787 Dreamliner will be 60% quieter
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld a complaint by a London resident over Boeing’s claims in a recent advertisement that the new 787 Dreamliner, which is due to go into service later this year, will be "quieter than ever before". The ruling comes barely a week after British Airways announced that it had finalised an order for 24 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. (HACAN press release)
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Birmingham – Airport applies for longer runway
Birmingham International Airport has submitted a planning application to extend its runway. The application, which will see the runway extended 405m (1,329ft) towards Bickenhill and Hampton-in-Arden, has been lodged with Solihull Council. (BBC)
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Air travellers to New Zealand ‘cost’ 8 million tonnes of carbon annually
A study by two Otago University researchers finds greenhouse gas emissions generated by the 2.4 million visitors' air travel to New Zealand per year were far greater than commonly quoted and are roughly the same as the emissions from all the country's coal, gas and oil-fired power generation. (NZ Herald)
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Business airline Silverjet boosted as rivals collapse
Business class only airline Silverjet saw passenger numbers rise 12% in December as it benefited from the collapse of rival Maxjet. Silverjet said it had picked up 800 bookings from passengers with tickets on Maxjet services since the company filed for bankruptcy in December - but % of seats filled is down. (Telegraph)
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Inverness to lose Heathrow link as BMI scraps flights
THE only air link between the Highlands and Heathrow is to be scrapped. BMI yesterday announced it was to "suspend" the once-a-day service from Inverness at the end of March because of a lack of bookings. The Stewart Stevenson, the transport minister, said he was seeking a meeting with the airline to urge a rethink. (Scotsman)
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Slow-wave sleep and the risk of type 2 diabetes in humans
Findings from a study by the Department of Medicine, University of Chicago indicate there is a connection between some forms of sleep disturbance and increase type 2 diabetes (maturity onset diabetes).
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Supermarket flies fish 5,000 miles from country where millions are starving
Waitrose has outraged human rights activists by selling tilapia fish from Zimbabwe. The campaigners said it is wrong to fly in food more than 5,000 miles from a country where millions are on the brink of starvation. Buyers for the chain say that selling the fleshy white fish helps preserve threatened species such as cod. (Daily Mail)
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Ryanair guarantees no fuel surcharges ever
Ryanair called on Europe’s carriers to put an end to fuel surcharges in 2008. According to Ryanair, "high fare airlines across Europe committed their greatest passenger gouging ever in 2007, jacking up their rip-off fuel surcharges to record levels. To celebrate Ryanair’s no fuel surcharge ever guarantee, they are giving away 2 million seats for £10. (Peanuts online)
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Climate Pollution From Aviation Increasing – says WWF
EU environment ministers have failed to seize a key opportunity to curb emissions from the aviation sector through the European Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), WWF said at the conclusion of the EU Environment Council in Brussels. (Science Daily 2.1.2008)
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2007: more than 29.5 million flights worldwide – Highest Ever Number Recorded – Largest Year-on-Year Increase Since 2004
OAG the global flight information and data solutions company, reveals that the world’s airlines – including low cost carriers – scheduled a record 29.6 million flights during 2007, an increase of 4.7% on 2006. This represents an average of 80,987 individual take-offs per day worldwide. (Official Airline Guide)
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Heathrow – Richmond Council to hold Heathrow expansion plan meetings
Richmond Council is to holding the first of 2 public meetings at Duke Street Church, starting at 20:00. A second meeting will be held at Clarendon Hall, York House on February 12 at 19:00. Opponents of Heathrow's plans to build a 3rd runway and maximise the use of the current 2 runways are being invited to attend the public meetings. (UK Airport News)
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600,000 blighted by Heathrow noise
The huge area affected by aircraft noise from Heathrow has been revealed. A map, published by DEFRA, shows an area stretching from the southern outskirts of Maidenhead in the west to the edge of Camberwell in the east. According to the Government, this equates to 600,000 people. (Evening Standard)
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Italy declares Air France preferred bidder for Alitalia
The long saga of who will buy Alitalia is nearing conclusion with Air France-KLM named as the preferred bidder. Alitalia is losing about €1 million ( £730,000) a day, has €1.71 billion of debt and will run out of cash early next year, but political interference has delayed a possible deal for 6 months. (Times)
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BAA puts duty-frees up for sale
BAA has started the auction of its chain of World Duty Free shops. Prospectuses were sent out to interested buyers earlier this month. The business has an annual turnover of £440m with profit before tax of £30m and the 12-year lease on the 65 shops could fetch up to £450m. (Telegraph)
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Airports ‘not ready’ for baggage allowance changes
Several of the UK's main airports do not yet have permission to ease the one-piece cabin baggage restriction next month. The DfT has said more than one piece will be allowed after 7 January, provided airports have purchased improved security scanners. 19 airports have been given permission to relax the rule.
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Birmingham – Airport closes its oldest runway
The airport has officially closed its oldest runway, which crosses the main airport runway, and opened with the original buildings in 1939. It shut 3 years ago and is surplus to requirements as it cannot be used at the same time as the main runway.
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Oil price forecasts over the next few decades
The price of oil in the next two or three decades will be crucial to the aviation industry. However, there remains great uncertainty. Each year, DECC does forecasts for the price of oil out to 20 years ahead, with high, central and low forecasts. The International Energy Agency (IEA) also produces three figures, as does the US Energy Information Agency (EIA), and there are many other forecasts. With the prospect of huge volumes of "tight" oil, from shales, in the USA, as well as oil from tar sands, world supplies of oil are now expected to be much larger than was predicted some 5 - 10 years ago. The impact of the new oil in the USA in particular may only have an impact for a couple of decades, but nevertheless the arrival of "peak oil" or even "peak cheap oil" may have been postponed. Nevertheless, it is puzzling how in the Chancellor's Autumn Statement in December, he used figures for his anticipated price of oil from 2014 to 2018 well below those of DECC only two months earlier
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Liverpool Airport in talks over London link
Liverpool Airport is in 'advanced talks' with an airline - VLM - over re-establishing a London air link from the region, the Daily Post newspaper has revealed. Gatwick Airport is the most likely destination for the new air link, airport bosses say. (UK Airport News)
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MAXjet goes bankrupt
A business class only airline that flew transatlantic routes from Stansted airport in Essex has ceased flying a day before Christmas after filing for bankruptcy. American-owned MAXjet, which started services 2 years ago, operated between Stansted and New York, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. (Guardian and Telegraph)
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Domestic UK flights take off thanks to high rail fares
Domestic air travel has risen by a third in 7 years despite a record amount of public money spent on the railways and official advice to avoid flying within Britain. New routes are starting between destinations that are fewer than 200 miles apart and which are connected by rail and trunk roads. (Times)
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Gatwick – Map of noise levels around Gatwick revealed
New maps have been published showing noise levels around Gatwick Airport. At Gatwick, which is the busiest single runway airport in the world handling over 35 million passengers a year, the noise contours stretch from the north of Horsham, in the west, to Edenbridge in Kent in the east. (UK Airport News)
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Kent Airport – Jersey flights announced
Direct flights from Kent International Airport (Manston) to the Channel Islands will start next year. As of May 10, a weekly scheduled flight will take off from the airport to Jersey. The short flight aboard a VLM Fokker 50 aeroplane will leave every Saturday and will be operated by CI Travel Holdings Ltd. (UK Airport News)
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Bristol – New machine to track airport noise
New machines are to be introduced at Bristol Airport to enable noise complaints to be dealt with more efficiently. The tracking monitors, which will be introduced next year, will enable staff to pinpoint which aircraft were flying where at exactly what time. (UK Airport News)
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Leeds Bradford Airport told to cut noise levels
Noise pollution at Leeds Bradford must be cut to meet the EU environmental policy, according to the findings of a Government study. The airport has been told to produce a plan to tackle excessive noise, after falling foul of sound limits set out in the EU's Environmental Noise Directive. (UK Airport News)
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