2007 Articles

Brazil 'now easily accessible' from Gatwick

Brazil is now easily accessible for holidaymakers flying from Gatwick Airport, an expert on investment in foreign countries has claimed.

Rhiannon Williamson, director of investment advice group Amberlamb, said that the Brazilian government has steadily increased investment in infrastructure and supported the tourism industry in the country.

With this investment, service from airlines and access from European airports has reportedly improved as well.
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New Zealand PM flies from Southampton

Southampton/Eastleigh Airport played host to a high-profile passenger last week when the prime minister of New Zealand, the Rt Hon Helen Clark, flew through the hub.

The politician travelled with Eastern Airways, visiting Southampton on Tuesday before flying on to Brussels on Wednesday morning.

During her time in the city Ms Clark launched a series of lectures on New Zealand at the University of Southampton.
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West Ireland services return to Gatwick

Services from Gatwick Airport to the west of Ireland are to be reinstated by XL.com, the company has announced.

The route between the London hub and Ireland West Airport Knock was previously operated by other airlines up to October 2006.

XL.com said that it is bringing the service back following "huge customer demand".
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Christmas 'the new summer' for holidays

The popularity of winter breaks is rising so significantly among Britons that Christmas can almost be considered 'the new summer', according to a survey.

A poll by travel search engine Kayak.co.uk found that 75 per cent of Brits are considering taking a foreign holiday over Christmas this year.

Following a particularly wet summer in the UK, 43 per cent of people said that the weather was the main factor that made them want to take a foreign break over the festive period.
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BAA to consult on Heathrow rail plans

BAA is to launch consultations with experts and local residents on its plans to build a new rail link at Heathrow Airport, it has announced.

Plans for Heathrow Airtrack will first be submitted to consultants who will advise on their environmental and technical feasibility.

Local residents and other interested groups will then be asked to give their opinions on the proposals, which would see the airport linked to the south-west rail network.
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Regional airport growth 'inevitable'

The Air Transport Users Council (AUC) has dismissed suggestions that growth at regional air hubs is attributable to the decreasing popularity of Heathrow Airport, saying that expansion at smaller bases was "inevitable".

Hubs such as Newcastle Airport have enjoyed consistent growth in recent years as low-cost airlines offer more extensive services to local people.

According to reports large bases like Heathrow are not as popular as smaller, regional hubs, but James Fremantle disagreed with the idea that this has been a factor in the expansion of local airports.
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Ryanair carries 2m from Leeds Bradford to Dublin

Leeds/Bradford Airport has handled its two millionth Ryanair passenger flying to Dublin, it has been announced.

The low-cost airline's route from Leeds to the Irish city was launched in 1996, with 70,000 passengers using the connection in the first year.

Since then Ryanair has undergone substantial growth to the point that it expects to carry over 300,000 passengers at Leeds/Bradford this year.
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Bristol up for award

Bristol Airport is among the nominees for a major travel award, it has been reported.

The hub has been shortlisted for the 2008 Globe Travel Awards in the best UK regional airport category, according to the Western Daily Press.

Members of the travel industry decide the winners of the Globe Travel Awards, the ceremony for which will be held at London's Grosvenor House Hotel, on January 15th.
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BAA to install new X-ray machines

Gatwick Airport and the rest of BAA's seven UK hubs will be fitted with new X-ray machines next year.

Following successful tests at Glasgow Airport, the Advanced Threat Identification X-ray devices will be installed at all of BAA's passenger facilities from March 2008, including Heathrow's new Terminal 5.

The new technology, developed by Smiths Detection, is taking over from existing X-ray machines owing to its ability to automatically identify explosives and liquids.
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New proposals for Edinburgh rail link

The Scottish government has made improved proposals for a rail link at Edinburgh Airport after previous plans were deemed unworkable.

Transport minister Stewart Stevenson said that better public transport options would be provided to the hub, at a lower cost than the previous Edinburgh Airport Rail Link (Earl) proposals.

Among the recommendations was a new airport station at Gogar on the Fife railway line, which would "complement rather than compete with" the tram line.
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Aviation's cons 'must be balanced with pros'

While the aviation industry has become something of a scapegoat in the ongoing debate over climate change, it is important to keep in mind the significant benefits that an expanding air transport industry offers, it has been argued.

Simon McNamara, general manager for infrastructure and environment at the European Regions Airline Association (ERA), said that the high profile nature of the aviation market means that it attracts a lot of criticism.

"Air transport is a very headline grabbing form of transport," he said.
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