Madrid Airport may be winner in BA-Iberia merger

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What will British Airways' proposed merger with Iberia Airlines mean for passengers of the flag carrier? Will there be more cheap flights, more routes and more options? 

There will be more flights and more routes. British Airways is a leader in flights to North America and Asia; Iberia a strong player in South and Central America. The merged airline will have 419 aircraft flying to 205 destinations and travellers will be able to fly to 59 new destinations, including 13 in Latin America, but one of the surprise winners of the merger may be ... Madrid Airport.

New Gatwick flights to Sharm El Sheikh with BA

British Airways has launched a new thrice weekly service from London Gatwick Airport to the popular Egyptian holiday resort of Sharm El Sheikh.

The new connection is being operated by a Boeing 777 configured with three cabins, offering a choice of World Traveller, World Traveller Plus and Club World.

London City gains new connection to Geneva

London City Airport is celebrating the launch of a brand new twice daily connection to Geneva, courtesy of the city's very own airline, Baboo (website: flybaboo.com).

The first flight took off on Sunday (October 25), with one-way fares starting from just £51 and seats being sold via a codeshare agreement with Cityjet (website: cityjet.com).

Heathrow voted world's worst airport, again

It's not the first time and it probably won't be the last, but London Heathrow has hit the headlines today after being voted the worst airport in the world.

The global hub retained its dubious title in the annual Priority Pass survey, which quizzed 14,500 frequent travellers who each take an average of 17 flights a year.

While last year's result was widely put down to the bungled launch of Terminal 5, the new poll shows that even one year on passengers still have plenty to gripe about.

Sold! Gatwick snapped up for a bargain £1.5bn

The UK's second busiest airport has gone under the hammer for just £1.51 billion – a whopping £500 million lower than initial estimates of its value.

London Gatwick's owner, BAA, grudgingly agreed to put the gateway up for sale after the Competition Commission accused it of anti-competitive behaviour.

Regulators had said that the Spanish-owned company – which runs seven major UK airports, including Heathrow and Stansted – has a stranglehold in the south-east.

Boris defiantly stands by Thames Estuary airport

Boris Johnson has renewed his controversial support for the construction of an airport on the Thames Estuary which he says could replace Heathrow.

The London mayor this week presided over a feasibility study that endorsed proposals for a £40 billion airport located several miles off the Essex and Kent coasts.

Despite being labelled "ludicrous" by a panoply of environmental groups and aviation experts, Boris is now pressing ahead with the plans by setting up a steering group.

Competition Commission slams BAA accusation of bias

The Competition Commission (CC) will today seek to rubbish accusations of bias levied by airport regulator BAA, whom it has ordered to be broken up.

Addressing the Competition Appeal Tribunal, the CC will spell out its rejection of the charges while once again accusing the regulator of pursuing delaying tactics.

BAA has been ordered to sell three of its bases in Scotland and the south-east of England after the commission concluded that it operates an effective monopoly.

Birmingham Airport responds to Heathrow decision

Birmingham Airport could take pressure off London Heathrow following the decision to block a third runway at the international hub, it has been claimed.

Officials at the Midlands airport said the base is capable of accommodating a further nine million passengers each year without changing its infrastructure.

'Naked' scanners on trial at Manchester Airport

Passengers travelling through Manchester Airport have begun taking part in a trial of full-body scanners which effectively render them naked on screen.

The machines use X-rays that penetrate clothing and relay a precise image of your physical contours, even detecting prosthetic limbs and breast implants.

Airport employees admitted that the technology "does not leave much to the imagination," but advocates insist it could dramatically speed up security checks.

BAA defiant over third Heathrow Airport runway

BAA has vehemently denied suggestions that it has scrapped plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport in light of Conservative Party opposition.

The airport regulator was responding to comments by Shadow Transport Secretary Theresa Villiers, who said the Tories had forced BAA to "give up" its expansion plans.

She claimed last week that the operator conveyed to her that it "will not be submitting a planning application before the election" – a charge it rejects.

Shannon Airport hard hit by Aer Lingus cutbacks

Seventy-five per cent of Aer Lingus's cabin crew based at Shannon Airport (SNN) are to lose their jobs and the airline will shut its US base at the West of Ireland airport as part of its survival plan.

The cuts were announced yesterday (Thursday, October 8) by Christoph Mueller, Aer Lingus Chief Executive Officer, at a company meeting in Shannon.

The Irish flag carrier is also proposing to end its direct flights from Shannon to New York and will instead run a three-days-per-week service via Dublin. This service would be staffed by cabin crew based in Dublin.

Expansion work underway at Edinburgh Airport

Work has begun on a new £2 million redevelopment project intended to boost capacity at the immigration hall of Edinburgh Airport.

The revamp has been necessitated by the virtual tripling of international passenger numbers at the Scottish gateway over the past ten years.

EasyJet and Stansted tackle aircraft noise

A new initiative that aims to significantly reduce aircraft noise has been launched by a coalition of aviation groups, including easyJet and London Stansted.

Official guidelines have been drawn up outlining the most fuel-efficient way for aircraft to taxi to and from the runway – a contributing factor to aviation pollution.

Robin Hood Airport strengthens Polish connections

Passengers living near Robin Hood Airport near Doncaster and Sheffield will soon be able to fly to Wroclaw thanks to a new service by Wizz Air.

The low-cost carrier will be reintroducing the route next summer, adding to its existing Polish connections with Gdansk, Katowice, Poznan, and Warsaw.

Gatwick Airport transit passengers face delays

Passengers travelling between terminals at London Gatwick Airport are being advised to allow extra time for their journeys due to upgrade work.

As of next Monday (September 28) the transit system which currently ferries passengers around the airport will be replaced by replacement bus services.

Manchester scoops 'Airport of the Year' award

Manchester Airport has scooped the prestigious 'Airport of the Year' award at the TTG Travel Industry Awards 2009, held in London on Tuesday.

The regional gateway was selected as the winner of the coveted prize by a panel of judges comprising travel agents and independent industry observers.

Backlash over Glasgow Airport rail link decision

The decision to axe an improved rail link between Glasgow Airport and the west of Scotland has provoked an angry reaction from Labour ministers.

Some £182 million had been set aside for the project, which was seen as a crucial component in Glasgow's successful bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

But the ruling Scottish National Party (SNP) has now scrapped its plans, insisting that pressure on public funding outweighed the benefits of the rail link.

Bournemouth Airport launches carbon offset scheme

Bournemouth Airport has added a new facility to its website (bournemouthairport.com) that will make it easier for passengers to offset their carbon footprints.

The new service provides information about environmental partner Carbon Clear, which helps travellers calculate and counteract CO² emissions from their flight.

Airport liquid restrictions 'could soon be lifted'

Restrictions on carrying liquids which have blighted passengers since 2006 could be wound down within just one year, news agencies are reporting.

The rules were brought into place after the foiled transatlantic airliner plot, for which three men were today handed minimum sentences of up to 40 years.

But Europe-wide trials of groundbreaking new security scanners are prompting some experts to predict that the measures will be relaxed in the near future.

New Lourdes flights from Manchester Airport

Manchester Airport is to benefit from the opening of a brand new connection with Lourdes next summer, courtesy of low-cost carrier bmibaby.

The new route will launch on April 30, 2010, offering Mancunians the chance to visit the quaint French town for as little as £37.99 one-way, all inclusive.

Robin Hood Airport hit by Ryanair pull-out

Robin Hood Airport has become the latest victim of Ryanair's purge of UK bases.

The airline is axing all its winter flights to Spain from the Doncaster airport, just months after confirming that the gateway's Dublin connection is also up for the chop.

Its drawdown forms part of a wider strategy to reduce operations at several UK airports which it accuses of levying unreasonably high fees charges on airlines.

Luton Airport gains new flights to Romania

Passengers travelling from London Luton Airport will this winter be able to take advantage of brand new flights to Romania, courtesy of Blue Air.

The airline plans to operate two weekly flights to the historic city of Bacau, situated in the heart of Moldovia, with tickets for the route on sale now.

'Not enough long-haul flights' from Scotland

Scotland is suffering from a shortage of long-haul flights, travel agents have been warned.

Several transatlantic routes were axed from Scottish airports following the collapse of XL Airways last year, and according to an industry group the gap has yet to be filled.

Heathrow Airport's T5 gains writer-in-residence

Heathrow Airport will play host to its first ever writer-in-residence this month, as a novel marketing campaign by airport owner BAA gets underway.

Philosopher Alain de Botton will spend an entire week living in the busy thoroughfare – wandering the premises unimpeded in search of creative inspiration.

The respected author will then plonk himself at a specially constructed desk in Terminal 5, where he will have to hammer out his latest book in full view of the public.

Manchester Airport moves to fill Ryanair void

Talks are under way with several airlines to fill the void left by Ryanair's departure from Manchester Airport, the northern gateway has confirmed.

Ryanair this week announced that it is preparing to axe nine of its ten routes from the base, blaming unreasonably high airport charges for the decision.

But within hours Jet2.com had added three new routes – Venice, Gran Canaria and Kos – while easyJet and bmibaby are both said to be waiting in the wings.

Ryanair's departure will open up 44 weekly slots from October 1 onwards.

Oxford Airport rebranded as a London gateway

Passengers flying into Oxford Airport are now being greeted with the somewhat surprising announcement that they have just touched down in London.

Despite being located in the quiet town of Kidlington – 62 miles from the capital – airport owners this week confirmed that the base is now called London Oxford Airport.

They said the re-branding would raise Oxford's international profile, but heritage campaigners are up in arms over what they see as a misleading and insulting move.

Talks at Liverpool Airport in bid to avert strike

Talks are being held today to try to avert a strike at Liverpool John Lennon Airport (www.liverpoolairport.com) that is planned for Thursday (August 20).

The dispute centres around redundancies and concerns 150 employees of Servisair. The talks today are being described by the GMB union as a "final effort".

Futuristic taxis slated for Heathrow Terminal 5

Passengers travelling through Terminal 5 at London Heathrow will soon be whisked around by futuristic electrical taxis without drivers, it has emerged.

At least 21 of the curvaceous vehicles should be operational within a year, ferrying people into the terminal from the surrounding business car parks.

Liverpool Airport braces for strike action

Baggage handlers at Liverpool John Lennon Airport have voted to go on strike as of next Wednesday (August 19), it has been confirmed.

About 150 ServisAir staff, who are members of the GMB union, will stage the walk-out, protesting a decision to force 51 employees to re-apply for 27 jobs.

Heathrow passenger in nude security protest

A disgruntled passenger has vented his frustration at air security measures by stripping naked in the middle of Heathrow Airport, The Mirror reports.

The 49-year-old German man took umbrage to a request that he take off his belt and shoes at an X-ray machine, opting to go a step further and remove all his clothes.

Airport security staff and fellow passengers looked on in amazement as the nude man shrieked "Is this enough for you?" before being arrested and led away.

BAA unveils £1bn Heathrow Terminal 2 plans

BAA has unveiled details of a £1 billion makeover for Terminal 2 at Heathrow Airport.

The development project, formerly known as Heathrow East, will boost passenger numbers at the terminal to 30 million per year by the time it is completed in 2019.

It involves the construction of a brand new 185,000 sq metre (2 million sq ft) building, which according to BAA will produce 40 per cent less CO2 than the current site.

New Heathrow terminal for Star Alliance airlines

Star Alliance member airlines, which include BMI, Air Canada, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines and Air New Zealand, are to move into a new terminal at London Heathrow Airport (LHR).

BAA, the airport operator, is to triple capacity at LHR's Terminal Two in an expansion programme that will cost more than £1 billion. It's part of a £4.8 billion programme that will improve facilities and services for travellers.

Three airlines shuffle Heathrow services

Bmi and Aer Lingus have revised their timetables at London Heathrow, while Aegean Airlines is also introducing a new connection from the airport.

Heathrow's second largest carrier, bmi, will operate seven daily flights to Manchester this winter, including a new mid-morning service that departs at 10.50am.

The change comes as Aer Lingus adds an extra daily flight to Belfast and Aegean Airlines moves its twice-daily Athens link from Stansted to Heathrow.

Heathrow passengers hit by aircraft pier shortage

Passengers at Heathrow Airport are facing delays when they attempt to board or disembark from their plane due to a lack of aircraft piers, it has emerged.

The gangways are supposed to be made available to 89 per cent of the 55,000 passengers who use Terminal 5 each day, according to the Civil Aviation Authority.

But newly released figures show that airport regulator BAA is falling short of that target, with an extra five per cent of passengers being forced to wait for a bus.

Green light for £28m Leeds Bradford development

Plans for a radical overhaul of the passenger terminal at Leeds Bradford Airport have been given the go-ahead by Leeds City Council's Planning Committee.

The £28 million project will see the creation of a brand new airside departure lounge, in addition to the re-design of key facilities including the baggage reclaim hall.

Gatwick re-opens after emergency Flybe landing

The runway at Gatwick Airport was shut down this afternoon following an emergency landing by a Flybe plane from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Flight BE1432, carrying 46 passengers and four crew members, was forced to divert en route to Cardiff Airport after smoke was reported by the crew.

Everyone was safely evacuated at around 12.25pm and the runway re-opened half an hour later.

Robin Hood Airport 'the stuff of folklore'

Officials at Robin Hood Airport in Doncaster have acknowledged that many of its potential customers are completely unaware that the gateway is real.

In an unusually frank admission, members of the airport's project board were quoted as agreeing "that many people are largely unaware that [the airport] exists".

Birmingham benefits from new Jeddah flights

Passengers living in the Birmingham area will next week benefit from the launch of a brand new connection with the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah.

Hellenic Imperial Airways is preparing to launch a weekly service on Saturday (July 25), with plans afoot to double its frequency next month, subject to demand.

Outbound services will depart from Birmingham Airport on Saturdays at 5pm, stopping over in the Greek capital Athens before flying on to Jeddah.

Liverpool Airport hosts easyJet's busiest route

Liverpool John Lennon Airport can now lay claim to hosting the busiest connection operated across easyJet's entire 437-strong network of routes.

The airport's Belfast service takes to the skies 12 times each way per day and remains as popular as ever, marking its 10th anniversary this month.

London City Airport cleared for 50% more flights

London City Airport has been given the green light to boost the number of annual flights it operates by 50 per cent, the Borough of Newham has confirmed.

Councillors insisted that there will be no increase in early-morning services, with stringent restrictions applying to any additional evening and weekend flights.

Third Heathrow runway 'worth £1bn a year to UK'

The British economy loses £1 billion every year that it postpones construction of the third runway at Heathrow Airport, a troubling new report has warned.

With the UK still in the midst of a recession, the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) found that the country is squandering billions of pounds in lost productivity and competitiveness.

Its warning comes as environmental campaigners – backed by the opposition Conservative Party – continue to oppose capacity expansion at the hub.

Passengers numbers at BAA airports best since autumn 2008

BAA has announced that the number of travellers who used the major UK airports last month was at its highest level for nine months.

BAA, which operates London Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Southampton airports, handled 12.7 million travellers in June, 5.9 per cent less than in June 2008, but the best underlying group result since September 2008.

'Kiss and drop' fee causes gridlock at Luton Airport

Travellers bound for Luton Airport (LTN) this summer should give themselves plenty of time to reach the terminal while problems with the new drop-off levy are ironed out.

The "Kiss and drop" charge, introduced on July 1, is not yet running smoothly.

Airport of the month: Amsterdam Schiphol

We're voting Amsterdam Schiphol our airport of the month for the Dutch government's turnaround on airport departure taxes.

The Netherlands introduced the unpopular charge in July 2008 - €11.25 for short-haul European flights and €45 for long-haul flights - but dropped it when passenger numbers declined. The cash-conscious Dutch started flying from airports in Germany to escape the charge.

Manchester Airport spies Indian air link

Officials at Manchester Airport have stepped up efforts to reinstate direct flights to India, according to a report in economic development website Regen.net.

The northern gateway has not offered services to India since the late 1990s, but it is now seeking to capitalise on heightened demand for Asian routes.

Luton Airport welcomes new Italian carrier

London Luton Airport is preparing to add Italian low-cost carrier Wind Jet to its route network.

From this Thursday (July 2), the no-frills airline will be operating twice weekly services between Luton and Forli Airport, situated in the north of Italy.

Normal service resumes at Heathrow Terminal 5

Services at Heathrow Terminal 5 are operating as normal once again after a glitch in the baggage system forced the closure of check-in desks on Sunday.

Thousands of passengers were delayed yesterday, with many being given the unenviable choice of either re-booking their flight or boarding without their luggage.

But airport regulator BAA says the mechanical fault that caused the incident has now been fixed, and it is apologising for any inconvenience caused.

Re-branding campaign for Heathrow Airport

BAA has launched a new advertising campaign for London Heathrow Airport in the hopes of boosting the gateway's reputation as a world-class hub.

The re-branding drive – which will feature the strapline 'Making every journey better' – aims to highlight improvements made to the hub over recent months.

'Kiss and drop' levy to go ahead at Luton Airport

Drivers dropping off family and friends at Luton Airport (LTN) will be charged £1 in a controversial new "kiss and drop" fee.

Although the airport had scrapped the fee before it had come into operation (as we reported on May 14) the charge will now come into effect next month.

The airport has said that the charge is necessary to improve traffic flow and encourage the use of public transport. LTN has seen a surge in passenger numbers over the past few years. In 2002, seven million travellers used the airport. By 2008, this figure had grown to more than ten million.

Stansted Airport launches noise consultation

London Stansted Airport has launched a 16-week public consultation exploring the various ways to minimise aircraft noise over the coming years.

The investigation will solicit feedback from local residents at a series of public meetings, which will be held in towns and villages under the flightpath.