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.

Council to consider Bristol Airport expansion

Officials from North Somerset Council are today reviewing details of an ambitious plan to increase capacity at Bristol International Airport.

The radical proposals - which involve doubling the overall floor size of the terminal - would create 4,000 jobs and pump £340 million into the local economy.

Home Office U-turn over airport ID cards

The Home Office has made a "very quiet U-turn" over its plans to make airport ID cards compulsory for all airside workers, Public Servant Daily reports.

An initial roll-out of the controversial cards – which the Unite union said had "insulted" its members – was due to take place at London City and Manchester airports.

But with the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) threatening legal action over the move, the government appears to have backtracked on its plans.

Stansted travellers slam £2 pick-up charge

London Stansted Airport has become the latest facility to be criticised for its passenger pick-up charge, with one irate traveller labelling it a "rip-off".

Friends and relatives who choose to collect someone by car must currently use the airport's 15 Minute Pick-up Zone, which has a minimum charge of £2.

Durham Tees Valley eyes Heathrow link

Durham Tees Valley Airport has held discussions with senior politicians over the possibility of restoring its popular link with Heathrow Airport.

The regional base lost its connection with Britain's busiest hub earlier this year, dealing a severe blow to business interests in the Tees Valley region.

Passengers 'foot bill for Gatwick expansion'

The bill for a £1 billion investment project at Gatwick Airport will ultimately fall on passengers, the Airline Operators Committee (AOC) has warned.

Work scheduled for the site includes the construction of a brand new £200 million aircraft pier in the North Terminal, as well as upgrades to various other facilities. 

But according to the AOC – whose member carriers include the likes of BA, easyJet and Ryanair – the cost cannot be justified and the plans should be scrapped.

Heathrow expansion 'vital to UK prosperity'

Developing a third runway at Heathrow Airport is essential for Britain's continued prosperity and economic prowess, it has been claimed.

Supporters of the controversial plan have said that the hub is certain to lose traffic to European rivals such as Frankfurt and Paris if it does not expand.

They made their remarks shortly after one of the government's key advisers, Lord Stern, suggested that approving a third runway was a mistake.

Scientists refine airport flu screening technology

Scientists in America have developed a computer model that it is hoped could ultimately help airport authorities avert an influenza pandemic.

The recent Swine Flu outbreak in Mexico highlighted the need for vigilance, and experts say better technology could play a crucial role in protecting passengers.

Anger over new parking rules at Leeds Bradford Airport

Travellers who use Leeds Bradford Airport have reacted with outrage to news that use of its free parking zone is being restricted to a mere five minutes.

Drivers previously had ten minutes to use the airport's drop-off/pick-up zone, but that allowance has now been slashed in half, with fees applying to any delays.

BAA accuses Competition Commission of bias

The British Airports Authority (BAA) is to mount an appeal against the Competition Commission's verdict that it should be broken up, citing alleged bias within the watchdog.

The airport regulator has been ordered to sell two of its London bases as well as one of its Scottish facilities in order to help spur on competition in the UK airport sector.

It has already put Gatwick up for sale, but with bids for the airport falling well short of its estimated value of £2 billion the operator is now trying to postpone any sell-off.

Luton Airport axes terminal drop-off charge

London Luton Airport has scrapped its £1 fee for dropping off passengers at the terminal before the surcharge even came into force.

Officials had planned to impose the levy on motorists who drive up to a drop-off point located next to the airport, prompting an outcry from passengers.

New Jeddah link for Birmingham Airport

Birmingham Airport will be offering a new link to the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah this June, thanks to the Greek charter carrier Hellenic Imperial Airways.

The twice weekly service, which includes a stop-over in Athens, is intended to provide Muslims in the West Midlands with a convenient link to Mecca – Islam's holiest site.

Tories pledge to block Stansted runway

The Conservative Party has renewed its pledge to scrap plans for a second runway at London Stansted Airport if it wins the next General Election.

Shadow Secretary of State for Transport Theresa Villiers vowed that a Tory victory at the ballot boxes would bring an end to the controversial expansion plans.

She insisted that building a second runway would be "environmentally unacceptable," dismissing arguments that it might give an economic boost to the region.

Leeds Bradford sets sights on transatlantic link

Leeds Bradford Airport will offer a direct scheduled service to North America by the end of next year, the gateway's commercial director has claimed.

Speaking to TTG, Tony Hallwood revealed that the airport is holding discussions with one North American carrier and one UK carrier about a possible Toronto service.

Airport of the month: London Stansted (STN)

© BAA Stansted

In the first of a new series, Cheap Flight News names its airport for May.

This month's favourite is Stansted, that airport north of London so beloved of low-cost airlines and ... President Barack Obama. Reasons we love it?

It's home to 29 airlines including the leading lights of the low-cost revolution - Ryanair, easyJet, Air Berlin and Germanwings.

Airlines at Stansted serve more destinations around Europe than those from any other airport in the world. From Aarhus (Ryanair) to Zweibrucken (also Ryanair).

President Obama 'committed to Stansted'

London Stansted Airport has become the gateway of choice for US President Barack Obama and his diplomatic entourage, Business Weekly reports.

In letters sent to Stansted's operators, White House officials have pledged a long-term commitment to the airport for commercial operations in the UK.

Their glowing endorsement comes just two months after President Obama flew into Stansted aboard Air Force One, ahead of the G20 meeting in London.

Belfast Airport to benefit from £10m facelift

Belfast International Airport is to undergo a £10 million facelift as part of a wider programme intended to make the gateway more user-friendly.

A new layout and several upgraded facilities have been outlined by the airport's owner, abertis, with all work scheduled to be completed by summer 2010.

CBI weighs in on Heathrow runway spat

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has reaffirmed the "strong consensus" among its members that a third runway at Heathrow Airport should be built.

The industry group's comments come just days after a letter signed by 13 of Britain's top businesspeople called on the government to rethink its expansion plans.

Business backlash over third Heathrow runway

Some of Britain's top business leaders have put their names to a letter demanding that the government rethink plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport.

The 13 signatories count among their ranks influential figures such as James Murdoch, head of News Corporation in Europe and Asia, and BSkyB chief Jeremy Darroch.

They reject the argument that greater capacity at Heathrow is crucial to economic prosperity, suggesting that the alternatives have not yet been "adequately explored".

Earlier this year, Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon announced that the government is throwing its weight behind a third runway at Heathrow.

Luton benefits from new Romania link

Passengers flying from London Luton Airport can now take advantage of a brand new connection with the historic Romanian city of Bacau.

Continental low-cost carrier Blue Air officially launches the service next month, with flights being operated twice weekly on a Boeing 737 jet.

Manchester Airport hosts climate change summit

Manchester Airport is to host a climate change summit next month, bringing together 200 of the region's top business leaders in a bid to encourage greener practices.

The third annual North West Prince's Summit on Climate Change takes place on May 1, and is part of a national day of events to promote environmental sustainability.

New Emirates lounge for Manchester Airport

It has been confirmed that Emirates will open a brand new business-class lounge at Manchester Airport this summer, offering seats for up to 180 passengers.

Featuring floor-to-ceiling glass walls and panoramic views of the runway, the 8,500 square foot facility will finalise the carrier's relocation from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1.

Green light for Birmingham expansion

Solihull Council has given the go-ahead to extend the runway at Birmingham International Airport by 400 metres, The Birmingham Mail reports.

The decision will allow the airport to add new long-haul services to destinations in Asia and North America, significantly benefiting the local economy.

Heathrow installs free charging poles

Passengers at Heathrow Airport can now re-charge their mobile phones, laptops and other electronic devices free of charge, thanks to 47 newly installed ‘power poles’.

The charging bases have been introduced at the departure lounges of terminals 1 and 3, with each pole being able to recharge up to eight devices simultaneously.

New executive lounge for Liverpool Airport

Passengers travelling through Liverpool John Lennon Airport now have the option of staying in a brand new 200 square metre executive lounge.

The Halewood International Lounge is operated by ground services specialist Servisair and offers a range of services including free Wifi access and complimentary drinks.

Inquiry looms for new Stansted runway

The government is close to announcing a date for its long-awaited inquiry into a second runway at London Stansted Airport, the Press Association reports.

Following the delay of a hearing scheduled for last month, officials have now said that a date for the public inquiry will be revealed before June.

'Tough year ahead' for regional airports

Some regional airports will struggle to survive the economic downturn, Elliot Summers, the Managing Director of Norwich Airport, has warned.

He told The Norwich Evening News that charges such as his facility’s own Airport Development Fee were the only thing keeping many smaller gateways operational.

Luton confirms drop-off fee for drivers

London Luton Airport is to become the first airport in Britain to charge drivers for dropping off passengers at the terminal, it has emerged.

The £1 levy, which comes into force on April 29, will apply to anyone who drives into a new drop-off zone located directly outside the terminal.

Star Alliance unveils next phase of T1 move

Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance, has outlined the next phase of its move to Terminal 1 at London Heathrow Airport.

Most of the group’s carriers are currently based in Terminals 2 and 3, but following BA’s relocation to T5 several carriers are being moved around.

New services from Edinburgh Airport

While existing routes and services are being suspended on a daily basis, others are being introduced.

Edinburgh Airport is among the latter and has seized the opportunity to fill the gap in the market by increasing its route network, just in time for summer.

Bristol chiefs rally behind airport expansion

City councillors have defended plans to expand Bristol International Airport, saying development is vital to their city’s economic future, The Evening Post reports.

The proposed £150 million refurbishment programme aims to boost the airport’s capacity to ten million passengers per year, which will in turn will create 4,000 new jobs.

But after the plans were unveiled in January, a motion was tabled by Bristol Council’s sole Green Party member to block the move on environmental grounds.

Heathrow ‘worst airport in Britain’

London Heathrow Airport is the least popular airport in the country, according to a survey carried out by Which? Holiday Magazine.

Terminal 1 has been voted worst place to travel from, with Terminals 2, 3 and 4 following close behind. Overall satisfaction levels for the hub run at just 31 per cent.

Improved Isle of Man business flights

Business travellers flying into London City Airport from the Isle of Man can now benefit from an earlier service that touches down before 9am.

Aer Arran’s new schedule will see flights departing from Ronaldsway Airport at 7.30am and arriving at 8.55am, according to Isle of Man Today.

Narita reopens runway

Following the FedEx cargo plane crash on March 23, the main runway at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport has reopened and is fully operational.

A hub for Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Northwest and United, Narita is Japan’s second-busiest airport with an average of more than 90,000 passengers passing through it daily.

Jersey Airport redevelopment begins

The redevelopment of Jersey Airport's departure lounge has begun, as the region attempts to increase its attractiveness to passengers.

Budgeted to cost £4 million, the works are expected to be completed in July 2009 and will offer visitors new facilities, such as an upgraded bar area, a restaurant, an enlarged duty free shop and an improved waiting environment.

BAA could face bankruptcy

The operator BAA could face the prospect of bankruptcy or renationalisation if the sale of three of its airports reaches less than 85 per cent of their value.

That is according to The Times, which has suggested that the small-print in BAA's debt financing contracts could allow its lenders to call in their debts if London Gatwick Airport, London Stansted Airport and either Edinburgh Airport or Glasgow Airport are sold significantly below value.

UK airport punctuality improves

The punctuality of flights departing the UK improved during the final three months of 2008, according to new figures released by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

The specialist aviation regulator disclosed that between October and December 2008 the overall performance of flights departing the UK's airports increased by eight per cent.

Gatwick sale could reach £1.3bn

London Gatwick Airport could be sold for a figure well below the £2 billion originally quoted by the airport's operator.

That is according to a report published by Frontier Economics, which valued the UK's second largest airport at between £1.33 billion and £1.73 billion.

Luton launches priority lane

London Luton Airport has launched a security priority lane, which allows passengers to reduce their waiting time for a small fee.

The international airport has unveiled the fast and efficient option through security for a £3 charge, in the hope of improving passenger's experience at the facility.

Birmingham gains new India route

Birmingham International Airport has disclosed that a service to the north Indian city of Amritsar will begin in April.

Akal Air will operate twice-weekly flights on Wednesdays and Saturdays from the Midlands airport, with the commencement of the route scheduled for April 4, 2009.

CC ruling signals change for UK aviation

The Competition Commission (CC) has ruled that BAA (as reported earlier by Cheapflights) must sell three of its UK airports, ending its monopoly of aviation centres in London and Scotland.

London Gatwick Airport, London Stansted Airport and either Glasgow Airport or Edinburgh Airport will have to be sold by the Spanish-owned operator, following the regulator's publication of its final market inquiry.

Given a timetable of three years to complete the sales of all three locations, BAA's portfolio will be reduced to Southampton Airport, London Heathrow Airport, Aberdeen Airport and either of the Scottish airports after this period.

Christopher Clarke, chairman of the BAA Airports inquiry, expressed optimism that this decision would bring benefits for travellers and airlines.

Norwich Airport vows to attract routes

The new boss of Norwich International Airport has vowed to attract more airlines to the regional centre, in an effort to offer passengers flights to a wider variety of destinations.

Elliott Summers has claimed that Norwich Airport's dwindling passenger numbers have occurred as a result of airlines cancelling schedules to and from the aviation hub.