2007 Articles

New parking rules at Birmingham Airport

Birmingham International Airport plans to prevent anyone from dropping off passengers outside the terminal building following the terrorist attacks on Glasgow Airport.

Birmingham bosses have revealed that from tomorrow, parking restrictions will be put into place to ensure that no one has access to the front of the building by car.

The plans also include a new charging system for people who want to park their cars at the airport, which it says will help to pay for the new security measures which are being put into place.

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Ryanair to ground planes at Stansted

Budget airline Ryanair has announced it will slash the number of flights to destinations this winter in a move which it says will improve profits.

The firm has said that seven planes will be grounded at Stansted under the new plans which are being blamed on the airport's high costs.

Deputy chief executive of Ryanair, Howard Millar, said that the charges enforced by airport operator BAA are too high - denying that the move had anything to do with the company having difficulty handling passenger capacity.

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Newcastle Airport goes green

Plans for Newcastle Airport could see it become one of the most environmentally-friendly in Europe, it has been reported.

The proposals could see the busy centre employing green policies in order to combat climate change and reduce its carbon footprint.

As part of the plans, officials at Newcastle will log the total carbon emissions created by carbon emissions by all its incoming and outgoing transport including ground operations, passengers' transport and aircraft arrivals and departures.
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Police at Heathrow to discuss security cost

Police have met with government officials at Heathrow Airport to discuss the rising cost of providing security at UK airports.

They spoke with members of the Home Office and Department for Transport to talk about ways in money spent on keeping passengers secure could be cut without exposing them to greater risk.

Counter-terrorism measures, which have been put into place in recent years and stepped up following the attacks on Glasgow Airport, were also under discussion as they make up much of the added cost.
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Airports give disabled passengers 'help they need'

Disabled passengers flying out from one of the UK's many airports look set to benefit from a new law which has been passed by the EU.

The rules now state that those with reduced mobility or in a wheelchair will have to be allowed to board a plane - apart from when it is physically impossible for them to enter the cabin.

Part of the European Union rule 1107/2006, the law will give freedom to thousands more travellers, some of whom were previously told they could not fly.
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Canine companions 'allowed in cabin'

Passengers who rely on guide dogs will now be allowed to take their canine companions with them on certain flights from Glasgow Airport.

In a new scheme, which marks a first for Scotland, those who have difficulty manoeuvring their way around the aircraft will now be able to rely on their dogs if they are flying to European destinations.

Named the Pet Travel Scheme, organisers say that the initiative will serve to give passengers "the freedom to fly and the peace of mind that comes from knowing that their guide dog or assistance dog is safely by their side on board the aircraft cabin".
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Heathrow houses 'Best Business Class Lounge'

Virgin Atlantic has received a prestigious award for its "Clubhouse" lounge at London's Heathrow Airport.

The airline, owned by British entrepreneur Richard Branson, was handed the award for Best Business Class Lounge.

Skytrax, which distributes the awards, insisted that the competition was stiff and that the firm beat off the likes of Cathay Pacific's Hong Kong Business class lounges to claim the top spot.
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City sees £51m windfall from airport sale

Money which has been obtained by council chiefs in Leeds through the sale of Leeds Bradford Airport is to be put towards a major revamp of the city centre.

According to reports, councillors will use the £51 million windfall to pay for some major projects including creating a new concert arena, building a public swimming pool and redeveloping schools in the area.

Leeds Bradford Airport was sold three months ago to Bridgepoint Capital for a deal worth £145.5 million.
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Security fast lanes introduced at Liverpool

Lengthy queues to get to airport lounges and beyond at Liverpool John Lennon Airport could be sidetracked but only if passengers cough up £2.

For this sum, holidaymakers will be able to head to the fast lane security lines to beat the growing crowds in the normal queues awaiting hand baggage scrutiny and the metal detectors.

Experts now believe that more airports will follow the lead of Liverpool John Lennon Airport, which could lead to anger from those who cannot afford the extra charge.
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Protestors to 'disrupt' Heathrow

Climate change activists are attempting to cause as much disruption as possible at Heathrow in order to get their message across to the government in terms of the new terminal being constructed there.

Taking place between August 14th to 21st, over 2,000 protestors are set to embark on Heathrow Airport in a bid to raise awareness of the effects of climate change that will be directly attributable to the airport.

Passengers have been warned by Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair that they can expect delays, so it could be an idea for them to stay in airport hotels so they do not miss their flight due to the disruption.
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Aer Lingus could boost Belfast with HQ move

Should Belfast International Airport become the site for Aer Lingus' new headquarters, as many as 1,000 new jobs could be created as a result, an MP has stated.

According to Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson, the move to Belfast International Airport would be highly beneficial for the local economy as well as for holidaymakers.

Aside from the 1,000 new positions being opened up in the Northern Irish capital, Aer Lingus would also create 15 new routes across Europe and a re-installation of the Belfast to Heathrow link-up would be established.
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