2007 Articles

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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New BA planes 'vital to Heathrow operations'

British Airways has announced an order of 36 new aircraft which it claims will be crucial to its efforts to improve services at Heathrow Airport.

A dozen new Airbus A380s were ordered by the airline along with 24 Boeing 787 aircraft to replace 34 of its existing long-haul planes.

BA said that a "key consideration" in the order was the green credentials of the aircraft and the impact they would have on air quality for people living close to airports.
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Passenger tests begin at Heathrow T5

Airports operator BAA began the six-month countdown to the opening of Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport today with the commencement of passenger tests.

Some 15,000 people were recruited to inspect the new terminal and assess every aspect that will have an influence on passenger experience.

Among the factors that will be examined are parking facilities, security provisions, baggage-handling systems, check-in procedures and passenger navigation around the site.
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Heathrow terminal four to have direct rail link

Heathrow Connect has announced that it will begin offering a direct rail connection to terminal four at Heathrow Airport from next year.

The service will be available from Paddington station as of March 2008, around the same time that Heathrow's terminal five is due to open.

Passengers can currently reach the fourth terminal at Britain's busiest airport by changing at any of the first three passenger facilities.
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Birmingham Airport outlines future plans

Birmingham Airport has released an interim statement on its long-term development plans, with revised traffic forecasts among the announcements.

As it prepares to release an updated 'masterplan' later this year, the airport projected 27.2 million passengers and 205,000 air transport movements (ATMs) per year by 2030.

This passenger forecast represents a near threefold increase on 2006 figures (9.2 million).
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CAA figures 'evidence of EMA's hard work'

Officials at Nottingham/East Midlands Airport (EMA) have welcomed research from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) showing strong traffic at the hub and said the statistics are evidence of the hard work that has taken place.

According to the CAA, East Midlands Airport handled 4.7 million leisure passengers in 2006, which represents a higher proportion of overall traffic than any other base in the UK.

Customers on leisure trips accounted for 87.6 per cent of EMA's traffic last year, the highest ratio of 11 surveyed hubs, including Stansted Airport and Gatwick Airport.
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Sydney wins top city award

Readers of Conde Nast Traveller magazine have voted Sydney, Australia their favourite city.

The metropolis, which is served from the UK by Heathrow Airport and Birmingham Airport among others, was praised for its ambience, friendliness, culture, restaurants and shopping.

Other city destinations that were commended by the readers of Conde Nast Traveller include Florence, San Francisco, Bangkok and Vancouver.
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Regional airports 'outpacing major hubs'

The ongoing growth at regional air hubs around the country like Bristol Airport and Nottingham/East Midlands Airport is exceeding that at major bases like Heathrow, according to a trade association.

Chris Goater, head of media and public affairs at the Airport Operators Association (AOA), said that "traditional" major hubs such as Heathrow Airport are not growing as quickly as their regional counterparts owing to the influence of low-cost airlines.

He said: "It's certainly true that regional and airports across the country have continued to grow.
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Dublin Airport 'may need third terminal'

Dublin Airport's second terminal is not set to open until 2010 but it has already been suggested that a third passenger facility will be necessary by 2012.

A study commissioned by businessman Ulick McEvaddy claims that up to 32 million people a year could be using Dublin Airport by 2012, meaning that no fewer than three terminals would be necessary if congestion problems are to be avoided.

However Mr McEvaddy's report could have been influenced by his own interests, as the businessman wants to build a third facility on land he owns close to the airport, the Irish Independent reports.
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Half of young travellers 'book via internet'

The critical role that the internet now plays in the travel market has been illustrated by a new study showing that 50 per cent of young travellers book their trips online.

This is an increase from just one in ten people who made their bookings on the internet five years ago, according to the World Youth & Student Educational Travel Confederation report.

It is not only for bookings that travellers access the internet before jetting off, as 80 per cent use the web as a resource for researching their trip and the destination they are heading for.
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Cheap flights 'opening up the Far East'

The low-cost travel industry is beginning to expand across the world and will soon open up destinations in Asia for British travellers, it has been claimed.

Most low-fares airlines fly to destinations in Europe only but Investors Provident has claimed that this could soon change as carriers become more ambitious.

Hetal Shah, director of the company, gave the example of Air Asia X, which is set to begin flying to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia later this year.
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