Lounge revamp at London City Airport

The revamp of the departure lounge at London City Airport is nearing completion, it has been confirmed.

Airport authorities have said the lounge should be open to the public at the beginning of June, providing 250 more seats for passengers in addition to enhanced terminal facilities.

The refurbishment work centres on a new "airport concept" which aims to modernise the terminal through free internet access points, self-service check-in kiosks and additional shopping facilities.

Popularity of regional airports set to rise

The UK's regional airports will increase in popularity as holidaymakers grow more accustomed to their convenience, it has been suggested.

Leeds Bradford Airport, one of the UK's leading regional airports, collated passenger statistics that show a 75 per cent increase in the number of travellers passing through its concourse.

Leeds Bradford Airport spies US routes

Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) has confirmed its intention to expand its network of routes to the US.

LBA spokesman Tony Hallwood said passenger numbers have risen substantially as a result of new flights to Europe and that the regional airport is looking to expand into new markets.

Focusing on the States would mean people living in the LBA catchment area would now find transatlantic travel easier than ever before, he added.

Airport security confiscates 800 bottles a day

Newcastle Airport is warning passengers heading off to the sun this summer to remember that strict regulations covering the carriage of liquids in hand luggage are still in place.

The warning comes after the airport said it was having to confiscate 800 bottles of prohibited liquids from passengers every day, worth an estimated £1,000.

As the airport enters its busy summer period, security teams estimate it is now taking up to 10 man-hours a day to recycle and dispose of confiscated liquids found in passengers’ hand luggage in the security search area.

Edinburgh Airport faces summer disruption

People taking night flights into Edinburgh this summer face the real prospect of diversions, it has emerged.

Night-time work to resurface the airport's main runway means that inbound aircraft will be using Edinburgh's secondary runway, The Scotsman reported yesterday (May 1). However, as it lacks the instrument landing system that is used to guide aircraft to the ground during poor visibility, incoming flights may be diverted to nearby airports in the event of fog or heavy rain.

The first such diversion took place on Monday, when an early morning Flyglobespan plane from Lanzarote was re-routed to Glasgow Airport.

Heathrow Airport 'damaging UK economy'

Standards at London Heathrow are lagging so far behind other European airports that they risk doing harm to the UK economy, it has been claimed.

Willie Walsh, chief executive of British Airways, said that overuse at the world's busiest international airport was damaging the UK's image abroad.

"I believe it is in the interest of the country that the reputation of Heathrow is restored on a lasting basis as quickly as possible," he told the Institute of Directors conference in the British capital.

CAA slams Stansted operations

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has become the latest body to criticise airport regulator BAA over its administration of London Stansted Airport.

BAA came under fire last week after an investigation by the Competition Commission deemed that its monopoly of airports in the south-east of England was facing stifling competition.

Stansted was one of the London airports that the commission singled out for criticism - sentiments the CAA has echoed in its latest report.

Heathrow 'worst airport in Europe'

Heathrow Airport has been labelled the "worst in Europe" by a senior executive at a major US airline.

Don Langford, head of customer services Europe for American Airlines, described Heathrow as a "bit of a dump" and said it was suffering from chronic under-investment.

Originally designed to handle 45 million passengers, the west London airport is presently used by some 65 million flyers each year.

Airports to trial facial-recognition technology

UK airports are to test new automated facial-recognition technology this summer, in a bid to improve security and ease congestion.

The government has revealed that holders of new UK and EU biometric passports will have their faces screened rather than being checked by passport officers.

If the trial is successful, the new technology could be extended to all major UK airports.

East Midlands Airport sees passenger increase

The number of passengers using East Midlands Airport has risen for the eighth successive quarter.

According to figures released by EMA, 1,195,747 people used the airport in the first three months of the year, a rise of 15.2 per cent compared to 2007's volume.

New airport not the answer, says Future Heathrow director

The campaign director of Future Heathrow has said that calls for a new airport in the Thames estuary have been rejected after careful consideration.

In a speech to the Royal Aeronautical Society in London yesterday (Aril 24), Lord Soley said that it was time for a "fresh approach" to the discussions on the future of Heathrow, but that a new airport was not the answer.

He said that those in favour of closing Heathrow "seriously underestimate" the cost and the environmental impact of creating a new airport elsewhere.

Edinburgh Airport runway closed due to 'hole'

Edinburgh Airport was forced to close one of its major runways yesterday (April 23) after the discovery of a hole.

The Scottish airport was closed to incoming flights for three hours, with planes diverted to Glasgow and Prestwick, after the discovery was made at 3pm.

CC report: BAA monopoly harmful to passengers

The long-awaited Competition Commission (CC) report has sharply criticised BAA for its monopoly of airports in Scotland and the south-east of England.

Though careful to avoid directly calling for the dissolution of the Spanish-owned regulator, the CC asserted that BAA's ownership of key airports is a direct hindrance to competition.

Department for Transport secretary Ruth Kelly responded by immediately announcing a review of the economic regulation of the UK's airport system.

BAA prepares for long-awaited CC report

Airport regulator BAA is bracing itself for the preliminary findings of a long-awaited report from the Competition Commission (CC).

The Commission will publish a document tomorrow (April 22) outlining the body's "emerging thinking" with regards to an investigation into Spanish-owned BAA's monopoly on British airports.

The document will not give specific details and a provisional report is expected in late summer, while a final report is likely to be revealed by the end of the year.

Birmingham reveals record-breaking numbers

New figures show that Birmingham Airport handled a record-breaking number of passengers last month.

A total of 730,307 people passed through the airport's gates in March, including 595,306 scheduled travellers and 135,001 charter passengers.

That figure amounts to an 8.4 per cent increase when compared with the same month in 2007 and comes on the heels of an equally successful February, when a record breaking 635,000 people used the airport.

Improvement in Birmingham flight departures

Birmingham International Airport had the highest percentage of on time scheduled flights in the last quarter of 2007 (October to December), than any other major UK airport.

Figures from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) showed that 80 per cent of scheduled flights operating out of Birmingham left on time, which compares to the national average of 69 per cent, and three percentage points better than the airport's performance during the same period in 2006.

Isle of Man runway project gets go ahead

Plans to resurface and extend the runway at Ronaldsway Airport, in the Isle of Man, have been backed by the island's Tynwald government.

Part of the £44 million project will involve building a promontory into the sea to enable the runway to take aircraft which could fly greater distances, as well as bring it in to line with international best practice standards for safety.

Delays at Heathrow are 'thanks to' runway congestion, says BA

New figures from the Civil Aviation Authority have revealed that the average delay on a flight arriving into Heathrow has increased.

The data shows that the delay is now on average 20 minutes, an increase of 25 per cent since 2003.

Future Heathrow, which has members including British Airways, said that the average delays at Amsterdam and Paris Charles de Gaulle were less than 15 minutes, despite the airports having more flights than Heathrow.

West Sussex airport reopens after new sale

Flights from Shoreham Airport in West Sussex were able to commence as scheduled yesterday (April 15) after the airport was reopened.

Flights were grounded on Monday after the Erinaceous Group - which had owned the airport - went into administration, meaning the airport was not allowed to operate because of legal and insurance reasons.

However, Albemarle Shoreham Airport Limited, owners of the commercial buildings at Shoreham, bought the group's interest on Tuesday.

New traffic marshalling at Gatwick

A new traffic marshalling service will be starting at Gatwick Airport from April 21.

The service, which will be provided by Vinci Park, will help improve traffic flows and security around the airport, and will focus on perimeter roads and forecourts.

The new traffic marshals will provide assistance to the existing traffic wardens who enforce parking rules at Gatwick, helping to improve accessibility at terminals.

Fraser Brown, head of commercial transport at BAA Gatwick, said: "The safety and security of our passengers remains our number one priority.

Passenger numbers rise at Gatwick

The number of passengers travelling through Gatwick increased last month on the same period in 2007, according to new figures released by BAA.

The airport operator has revealed that passenger traffic reached 2.8 million in March, a rise of 8.1 per cent in the same month the previous year.

While traffic to and from Ireland saw the biggest rise of 44.8 per cent, the domestic market decreased by 3.4 per cent. The North Atlantic market also saw a decline of 0.3 per cent.

New coach service for Stansted Airport

Passengers travelling to Stansted Airport will be served with a new direct coach service, beginning on May 3.

Flyers will be able to use airdirect's new service, which runs coaches every two hours 24 hours a day, between Ipswich and the airport, as a result of a new partnership between BAA Stansted and Excel Coaches.

The coaches have Wi-Fi access, reclining leather seats and extra legroom. Airdirect also offers a service to alert passengers by text message when the coach is leaving the airport.

Glasgow Airport celebrates latest phase

Glasgow Airport has celebrated a significant new phase in the construction of its new £30 million terminal with a 'topping out' ceremony.

Balfour Beatty, the terminal's main contractors, joined representatives from BAA Glasgow and Renfrewshire Council to commemorate the completion of the physical structure of the project, a 400 square metre extension dubbed 'skyhub'.

A small branch was tied to the highest point of the building, while airport managing director Gordon Dewar used a silver trowel to smooth the last section of concrete, in commemoration of the event.

Snow grounds flights at Gatwick and Heathrow

Snowfall caused further chaos at Heathrow's Terminal 5 yesterday (April 6) when the airport authorities were forced to cancel more than 60 flights.

In all, British Airways was forced to cancel 126 flights from Heathrow, 12 of which were due to continuing problems with Terminal 5's baggage handling system.

Both runways at the airport were closed for 20 minutes while the tarmac was de-iced.

Manchester airport begins easyJet services

easyJet has begun services from Manchester, the low-cost carrier announced today (March 31).

The airline said that it would be operating six routes from the airport, including flights to Heraklion, Malaga, Malta, Paphos, and Tenerife - and in celebration of the launch it would be touring the city in an orange bus offering easyJet prices.

An estimated half a million passengers are expected to travel with easyJet from Manchester over the next 12 months, the airline added.

Cancellations continue at Terminal 5

Passengers travelling through Terminal 5 could face another week of flight cancellations.

British Airways has cancelled 54 of the 394 in and outbound services that were planned for operation today (March 31), as well as 52 of the 392 services scheduled for tomorrow.

A total of 208 flights in and out of Heathrow Airport were cancelled during the first three days of Terminal 5's opening on Thursday (March 27).

Passengers prepare for a second day of disruption at Terminal 5

Terminal 5 is bracing itself for yet another day of chaos at the newly opened £4.3 billion facility, after 34 flights were cancelled yesterday (March 27).

British Airways, the sole occupier of the new terminal, blamed the problems on a lack of staff to properly process luggage using the building's new baggage system.

This was the result of delays in the staff car park and at security and log in, which meant that the baggage handlers had difficulty reporting for duty, leading to the operational problems throughout the day associated with processing customers' baggage, said the airline.

Cabin baggage restrictions to be lifted at Gatwick

Gatwick Airport has announced that from March 31 passengers will be able to take more than one piece of hand luggage through security.

Airport operator BAA said Gatwick will now join its other airports, where restrictions were lifted in January, because new x-ray and archway technology has been installed in central search areas.

Terminal 5 flights cancelled amid baggage chaos

Terminal 5's first morning open to the public faced lengthy baggage delays and flight cancellations.

Passengers waiting in Heathrow's new building were unable to collect their bags after a sophisticated new system broke down, causing a backlog of luggage and the cancellation of at least 20 flights.

These included services departing to Munich, Frankfurt, Paris, Brussels, Glasgow and Aberdeen.

In a statement, British Airways described the problems as "minor".

Bristol International prepares for Lufthansa launch

Bristol International is preparing for the launch of new daily services by German airline Lufthansa, which start on March 31.

From the beginning of next week, the carrier will provide flights three times a day to Frankfurt, where passengers can then access onward European and international connections.

The airport said that it was getting ready for the arrival of the airline by conducting training checks on Lufthansa's systems, as well as ordering German newspapers for the business lounge.

Terminal 5 opens its doors to the public

Heathrow's new Terminal 5 opens its doors to the public today (March 27), with more than 40,000 customers expected to pass through the building on its first day of service.

A total of 380 British Airways flights will depart and leave from the £4.3 billion terminal today, 350 of which will be short-haul flights and 30 long-haul services.

The first plane to land at the terminal at 0450 this morning was the BA026 from Hong Kong, carrying 283 passengers and flown by British Airways' first female pilot, Lynn Barton.

East Midlands Airport first to install wind turbines

East Midlands Airport (EMA) has been granted permission to install four wind turbines on its site.

The decision, made by the North West Leicestershire District Council, will mean that the EMA is the first UK airport to install four 31.5 metre wind turbines, which are expected to be active from later this year.

An estimated 225kw is expected to be produced by each turbine, saving around 850 tonnes of carbon a year. The move is part of the EMA's commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2012, with the turbines expected to generate around ten per cent of the airport's energy.

Green campaign group exaggerated airport opposition

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has ruled that green campaign groups issued a 'misleading' national press ad regarding the amount of opposition to airport expansion.

Complaints about a full page ad taken out by AirportWatch and enoughsenough have been upheld by the ASA, ruling that it breached the Code of Advertising Practice and should not be repeated.

The ads featured a picture of Prime Minister Gordon Brown and claimed that 60 per cent of people in an ICM Poll had said no to airport expansion anywhere in the UK.

Star Alliance prepares to move terminal

The first phase of the Star Alliance's 'Move under one Roof' project at London's Heathrow Airport will begin in June.

The move will be completed in two phases, with the network of airlines, which includes Air Canada, bmi, Lufthansa and US Airways, expected to complete its schedule in 2012.

Following work on the current Terminal 1 building, Air New Zealand and United will relocate from Terminal 3 to Terminal 1 from June 10. June will also see Star Alliance open its largest lounge for departing customers in Terminal 1.

Passengers rank Heathrow poorly

An international survey which asked passengers to rate airports has seen Heathrow come 103 out of 162.

Skytrax, an airport consultancy firm, asked 7.8 million flyers to rate airports on traveller concerns, including convenience, politeness of staff and cleanliness of bathrooms, reports The Times.

Queen opens T5 - praises 'careful design'

© BAA Heathrow

The Queen officially opened the new Terminal 5 (T5) building at Heathrow Airport today (Friday, March 14) and praised the "bright and airy space".

Accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh and surrounded by 800 invited guests, including Ruth Kelly, the Transport Secretary, the Queen noted the terminal's "efficient layout", as well as the thought and care that has gone into its design and construction.

The terminal, which will serve British Airways solely, will open to the public on March 27. It is expected to be used by 30 million passengers a year, increasing the estimated annual passenger numbers at Heathrow to rise from around 68 million to 95 million.

Angry airlines call for airport regulation overhaul

Airlines have responded angrily to yesterday's (March 11) announcement by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) that landing charges will increase at Heathrow and Gatwick over the next five years.

The CAA said that BAA, the owner and operator of seven British airports, would be raising prices at the two airports, with both first-year increases larger than the regulator had outlined in a draft proposal released in November.

Price caps have been set for the five years from April 1, which could see charges per passenger at Heathrow rise by 23.5 per cent above the retail price index (RPI) to £12.80 in 2008/09. This increase is set to be followed by a further rise over the following four years to 7.5 per cent above RPI.

New drop-off rules at Cardiff International Airport

Access to Cardiff International Airport will be easier from today (March 11) after the announcement that passengers can now be dropped-off outside the terminal building.

Passengers can also be picked up from the short stay car park, with the first 20 minutes now free of charge for those waiting.

Heathrow Terminal 5 flyers to face fingerprinting

British travellers from the new Terminal 5 building will be fingerprinted and photographed before they board flights.

According to reports, the biometric checks will apply to all domestic passengers when the terminal opens later this month.

Plans for second Stansted runway to be submitted

Planning applications for a second runway at Stansted Airport are expected to be submitted by BAA next week.

It is thought that the airport operator will put forward its plans on Tuesday (March 11) amid fierce opposition from environmental campaigners. The second runway is being proposed as BAA has predicted that by 2030, annual passenger numbers for Stansted will reach 68 million.

The current level of passengers travelling through the London-based airport is 24 million a year. If passenger levels increase to the number predicted they will equal that of Heathrow.

Southampton Airport wins energy accolade

Southampton Airport engineers have won a prestigious accolade for their efforts in saving energy at the hub.

The award was given by airport operator BAA after votes were cast by hundreds of engineers from across the company.

Southampton was awarded the prize for "sourcing new and innovative ways of saving energy, using efficient lighting systems".

Birmingham Airport backs Brazilian rainforest project

A corner of a Brazilian rainforest will be forever Birmingham after the city airport invested £20,000 to protect 180 acres of endangered forest.

Birmingham International Airport has spent the money to both protect the trees and lock away nearly 50,000 tonnes of CO2, equivalent to that produced by the airport’s buildings over two years.

As part of the project, money will also be spent on classroom equipment, solar powered internet and a boat for a school in the heart of the Amazon called Escola Estadual, which serves communities in a 10-mile radius in the state of Mato Grosso.

Second Manchester airport planned

The owners of Manchester Airport have revealed their intention to develop a second airport in the area, claiming that it would complement the existing hub.

The airport's owner has recently re-branded Barton Aerodrome as City Airport Manchester and the company's managing director Andrew Simpson told the Manchester Evening News that further development was likely.

Rather than rivalling Manchester Airport, he explained that the City Airport would be focussed on serving business and corporate travel.

Plans for Exeter Airport expansion outlined

Officials at Exeter Airport have revealed plans for £124 million investment in the hub as part of proposals to undertake major improvements to its infrastructure.

The airport is set to issue a Master Plan, outlining its strategic plans for growth and how it will meet a growing demand for business and leisure routes in and out of the region.

With the document set to be put up for public consultation for a three month period, the airport's deputy managing director, Jamie Christon, claimed that it would build on its current popularity with locally-based passengers.

Pilots back Heathrow expansion

The British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) has issued its support for the planned expansion of Heathrow Airport.

In a statement, the organisation has revealed that its submission to the public consultation over the expansion plans for the airport advocated both a new sixth terminal and an extended new third runway.

BALPA claimed that a third 2,200 metre long runway was necessary to allow the airport to compete with rival European cities such as Paris and Amsterdam.

Aberdeen Airport taxi drivers back at work

Taxi drivers at Aberdeen Airport are working as normal after striking earlier this week, but look set to enter a new dispute that may threaten passengers travelling to and from the airport.

On Monday (February 25) night, the drivers refused to work in protest over a planned £1 charge that would be levied on them every time they entered the airport.

The drivers returned to work the next day after talks were arranged between them, the airport authorities and ComCabs, the company set to take over the airport contract from current operator Rainbow Taxis on April 1.

Southampton and Aberdeen airports win customer service awards

A top accolade for customer service has been awarded to Southampton Airport by the Airports Council International (ACI).

The travel hub has been chosen as this year's European winner for the ACI Airport People Award 2008, after being voted for by passengers as having the most courteous and helpful airport, airline and security staff.

Based on the results of almost 200,000 questionnaires completed by passengers last year, the Airport Service Quality Survey found Southampton to be one of the best performing airports in terms of customer care.

Three-minute airport car rental service launched

Car rental provider Avis has announced plans to roll out its guarantee of three-minute service to a number of UK airports, following a successful launch at London Heathrow.

The initiative is available to all passengers who are part of its frequent renter scheme Avis Preferred, committing the company to complete the rental process within three minutes of a customer entering their offices.

Anyone who does not receive their completed rental agreement within three minutes will receive a written apology, along with a £20 retail voucher, in the post.

One-bag rule to end at Humberside Airport

Passengers using Humberside Airport will benefit from the lifting of hand baggage restrictions at the hub.

With immediate effect, the blanket rule which prevented passengers from taking more than one item of hand luggage onto a flight from the airport has been lifted, following approval by the Department for Transport of new security arrangements.

While welcoming the change, the airport's managing director Rob Goldsmith advised passengers to check with their airline before travelling.

Liverpool airport launches art show for passengers

Passengers using Liverpool Airport will be able to see part of the Tate Liverpool's Turner Prize 2007 exhibition as they pass to and from their flights.

"The Taxi Project" is built around a working black Hackney cab and features video screens revealing what the people of Liverpool thought about key cultural events taking place in the city.

With its installation at the airport, the artwork joins several existing exhibits by artists including Harry Goodwin, Paul Saltzman and Tom Murphy.

Heathrow baggage problems hit BA passengers

The baggage system failure that has caused widespread problems for passengers at Heathrow Airport over the past two days has largely been resolved, though some difficulties remain.

In a statement on its website, Heathrow's owner, BAA, revealed that the baggage system at Terminal 4 is now fully operational and advised passengers they could now travel with their normal baggage allowance.

However, British Airways, the largest operator from the affected terminal, has advised that all passengers transferring through Terminal 4 today (February 21) should not bring luggage to be checked in as they will not be able to travel.

SkyTeam reveals details of Heathrow Terminal 4 improvements

Global airline alliance SkyTeam has revealed details of its plans for Heathrow Airport's Terminal 4.

With the imminent launch of the EU-US open-skies agreement, SkyTeam members including Continental Airlines, Delta Airways and Northwest Airlines will begin to operate services from the terminal.

As a consequence of this, the alliance, which is made up of 11 airlines in total, is set to develop a number of facilities for use by passengers flying on Heathrow services operated by any of its members.

Dot2Dot offers new Docklands to Heathrow shuttle service

Airport transfer service Dot2Dot has launched a new operation between Heathrow Airport and Canary Wharf.

The door-to-door shuttle can be booked to any one of Canary Wharf's office blocks, as well as both major hotels and the largest residential addresses in the area.

For passengers travelling to the business district from Heathrow, the service guarantees that a vehicle will be available from their special desks in the arrival lounge within 30 minutes of clearing customs.

Approach road closures at Manchester Airport

Work has started at Manchester Airport that will mean one of its main access roads, Outwood Lane, will be closed until early March.

As part of a £15 million scheme to create an extra platform at Manchester Airport’s station, Network Rail will be sliding a new bridge into position underneath the road, enabling a third platform to be built.

Outwood Lane is currently closed and won't be reopened until the early hours of March 3, a diversion has been put in place for anyone travelling by car to Terminals 1 or 3 while the roadworks are taking place.

Liverpool Airport to benefit from EU funding

John Lennon Airport is set to benefit from European Union funding worth £200 million.

The Liverpool hub is one of several projects earmarked for development as part of the new Northwest European Regional Development Fund.

Around £20 million of the funding will be used to develop transport links in and out of Liverpool, which includes the airport, reports the Liverpool Daily Post.

Test of fuel spill plans to take place at Gatwick

Gatwick is advising passengers that an emergency exercise will take place at the airport on March 5, which will test plans should a major fuel leak occur.

The airport is keen to stress that the likelihood of such a leak is low, but it is legally required to ensure plans are in place and these will be tested between 7pm and 10pm.

Airport owners BAA say the airport will operate normally during the exercise and passengers and the public will not be affected, although they may notice additional emergency service activity in the vicinity of the airport.

London City 'best UK airport'

London City Airport has been voted the "best UK airport" by the readers of Wanderlust magazine.

The central London hub was awarded the prestigious accolade for the third consecutive year.

It was presented to Charles Buchanan, strategy director for London City Airport, at a ceremony which took place at The Times Destination Travel Show in Earls Court.

Manchester Airport aims to reduce passport queues

Passengers using Manchester Airport are set to benefit from the recruitment of 30 new immigration officers to reduce queues at passport control and increase airport security.

Local Border and Immigration Agency heads have been given the money to recruit the staff in addition 17 new employees recruited recently, The Manchester Evening News reported.

The announcement comes after the same newspaper recently detailed passenger complaints of having to queue for up to 50 minutes at the airport's passport control.

New Heathrow baggage system trialled

A six-month trial of cutting-edge baggage tagging technology has been launched at Heathrow Airport, in an attempt to improve the efficiency of the airport's luggage systems.

The £150,000 initiative will be introduced for Emirates passengers and uses radio-frequency identification (RFID) to track bags at every stage of their journey.

Concerns over possible Heathrow East delay

Concerns have been raised that the new East terminal at Heathrow Airport is running behind schedule and may not be ready for 2012, as had previously been hoped.

The terminal is set to replace Terminals 1 and 2 and was intended to be built in time to serve passengers travelling to and from the London 2012 Olympics.

However, The Telegraph reported that the project is facing a delay of at least six months, with other media outlets claiming a potential backlog of up to 15 months due to issues over the cost of the project and logistical problems.

Airlines complain over Heathrow Terminal 5 changes

Several airlines using London Heathrow have complained about the effect that the opening of the new Terminal 5, and the resulting changes to arrival and departure points, will have on their ability to operate services.

British Airways will move into the new terminal on March 27, but The Telegraph reported that other airlines have expressed their anger at not receiving a discount for the use of older facilities in Heathrow or for being moved.

The newspaper revealed that delays with the pending Heathrow East scheme had added to the airlines' annoyance at the changes, which will see more than half of the carriers using the airport move to a new terminal location.

Gatwick relaxes hand baggage rules

The one-bag limit for hand luggage is being relaxed at Gatwick Airport, initially on some of its connecting flights, but with the promise of an extension to all services at the airport.

With effect from today (February 11), more than one item of hand luggage is permitted on connecting flights through the North Terminal, mirroring the current situation for the airport's South Terminal.

However, this change is still dependant on individual airline's rules, and the one-bag rule remains in place for all other flights.

New direct coach link will connect Oxford and Heathrow Terminal 5

Passengers looking to travel to Heathrow's new Terminal 5 from Oxford are set to benefit from a new direct coach link.

The service will be operated by the Oxford Bus Company from the opening of the new terminal on March 27, with the firm promising a frequency of up to 20 minutes in each direction, This Is Oxfordshire reported.

Coaches on the new route will be drawn from the company's newly-purchased fleet of low-emissions vehicles, which it has acquired at a cost of £3 million.

Visitors centre at Stansted gets go ahead

Stansted Airport has gained approval from Uttlesford District Council to build a centre for people to find out more about how the airport works.

When built, up to 40 visitors at any one time will have access to the facilities that will include a lecture theatre, parking for up to 20 vehicles and a coach bay for school parties and organised trips.

Airport operator BAA is hoping that both people who live close to Stansted, as well as aviation enthusiasts, will take the opportunity to find out more about one of the UK's busiest airports.

Major airlines confirm Heathrow terminal move dates

British Airways and seven other major airlines operating at London Heathrow Airport have confirmed the schedule for their upcoming terminal moves.

The airlines, which are all part of the oneworld alliance, will gradually move all their operations over the next 12 months to both Terminal 3 and the new Terminal 5, which is scheduled to open at the end of March.

On March 27, BA will move all its long-haul flights that currently operate from Terminal 1 (including departures to Hong Kong, Johannesburg, Los Angeles, Tokyo, San Francisco and Vancouver) to the new state-of-the-art Terminal 5.

SkyTeam anticipates Heathrow expansion

Global airline alliance SkyTeam has welcomed its imminent expansion at Heathrow Airport, with several of its carriers set to gain new slots at the London hub.

Under the EU-US open skies agreement, from March 30, the organisation, which brings together 11 airlines, will offer a total of 11 new daily journeys between Heathrow and US destinations.

The changes will also see Continental Airlines, Delta Airways and Northwest Airlines begin operating from the airport using Terminal 4, part of SkyTeam's plan to make the terminal the base of its Heathrow operations.

"SkyTeam applauds the progress made with the first-stage transatlantic open skies agreement between the EU and the US," said Leo van Wijk, chairman of the SkyTeam Governing Board.

Heathrow Terminal 5 - the insider's guide

The much anticipated opening of Terminal 5 is just a few short weeks away and the hype surrounding Heathrow's newest, largest, state-of-the art expansion is at fever pitch. So check out our insider's guide to Heathrow Terminal 5.

Layout and capacity
Designed by the Richard Rogers Partnership and costing a whopping ££4.3 billion, Terminal 5 has taken almost six years to construct. The new terminal consists of three buildings; the main terminal (T5A) and two satellite terminals (T5B and T5C) that are linked by a track transit train that can travel between terminals in just 30 seconds. T5A will be used for domestic flights while long-haul routes will operate from T5B. The purpose of T5C has yet to be confirmed and is not due to open properly until 2010. The main terminal is Britain's biggest freestanding building, some five times bigger than Terminal 4, with the capacity to handle 35 million passengers every year. British Airways will be the only airline to operate from Terminal 5.

New Heathrow security system introduced

Some passengers using Heathrow's Terminal 1 will be affected by a newly-introduced security system.

Changes made by the airport's owners, BAA, mean that biometric information will now be obtained from domestic passengers who want to visit the international lounge before boarding their flights.

It will also be required from anyone arriving on an international flight and looking to transfer to a UK domestic one.

In a statement, BAA explained that the amendments to the security process were intended to allow domestic and international passengers to mix in one departure lounge without the risk of boarding passes being swapped or anyone entering the UK without undergoing the appropriate immigration checks.

World's largest passenger plane set for Heathrow landing

The world's largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380, is set to touchdown in the UK for the first time later this year.

Singapore Airlines has announced that the flight will arrive at London Heathrow at 3.05pm on March 18, after departing Singapore's Changi Airport at 9am the same day.

The aircraft will then depart Heathrow at 6.55pm on March 18, arriving in Singapore at 3.35pm (local time) on March 19 and signalling the start of its daily usage on the route.

British Airways calls for improved customer service at Heathrow

British Airways has called for customer service quality targets to be improved at Heathrow Airport as soon as possible.

The airline has called on regulatory body the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to prevent Heathrow's owner, BAA, from delaying the introduction of new targets relating to aspects of passengers' experience by up to two years.

BA has highlighted particular concerns relating to security control posts and the effect that it believes current procedures are having on flight punctuality.

Norwich Airport suspends car park drop-off fee

A charge introduced for drivers looking to drop off and pick up passengers at Norwich International Airport has been suspended, the day after it was introduced.

The £1.90 fee was brought in last Tuesday (January 22) following the abolition of a 15-minute free parking period by the car parks' operator NCP.

However, The Norwich Evening News reported that the airport's authorities had intervened to reverse the decision in the wake of passenger complaints.

Engineering work affects Luton Airport train services

Railway engineering works are set to affect train journeys between Luton Airport and various destinations in the London area this weekend.

The amendments will be in force every weekend until May 12, affecting First Capital Connect services but not East Midlands Trains.

There will be no First Capital Connect service across Central London during this period, with a significantly reduced northbound service operating between St Pancras International and Bedford.

Glasgow Airport to shut second runway

The second runway at Glasgow Airport is due to be closed in a bid to raise funds for the hub's redevelopment.

Around £9 million will be saved when the runway closes, which will be invested in new seating, flooring and lighting in the terminal building as well as boosting security along the airport forecourt.

Glasgow's secondary runway is half the length of the main runway and has been in use since the 1960s. However, it can only be used by small aircraft and in 2006/07 it handled less than one flight a day.

Manchester Airport runway set for temporary closure

The second runway at Manchester Airport is set to be closed for a period of three weeks next month to allow for scheduled engineering work.

Between February 5 and February 29, all aircraft will take-off and land on Runway 1.

However, the airport's management claimed that the closure was unlikely to cause significant disruption to passengers, pointing out that it was taking place over a traditionally quiet travel period.

Liverpool Airport gains new retailers

A number of retailers have opened new operations at Liverpool Airport so far this year, adding to the choice of shops and eateries available at the north-west hub.

Four new stores have opened this year, with Go Pizza, aviation gift and collectables shop World in Motion and rubber shoe stockist Bo Shoes all taking units on level three, before security.

Meanwhile, luggage retailer Antler has opened a store in the departure lounge, adding to the airport's existing retail offerings which include Boots, WH Smith, Starbucks and Ritazza.

Manchester Airport launches valet parking service

Passengers using Manchester Airport are set to benefit from the launch of a new valet parking service.

The offering, which is aimed toward passengers using Terminals 1 and 3, allows car drivers to pull up in a dedicated VIP enclosure outside Terminal 1, before handing their car keys to one of a specially-trained team.

Their vehicle is then placed in a safe, secure car park, before being returned to them at the VIP enclosure when they leave their return flight.

Costing around £7 a day, the service represents further proof of the airport's commitment to improving access to its operations, according to director of car parks, Andy Cliffe.

Wind turbines installed at Liverpool John Lennon Airport

Liverpool John Lennon Airport is claiming to be the first UK commercial airport to install wind turbines as it looks to reduce the environmental impact its operations have.

Two 15m high 6kW turbines have been installed either side of the airport's main approach road, providing both a dramatic gateway and sufficient electricity to power a standard 4-6 bedroom house.

Andrew Dutton, environment manager at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, said: "The wind turbines will potentially, along with other renewable energy sources, play an important part in the airport's future development.

Carlisle Airport plans get county council support

Plans that would see a new terminal building and runway at Carlisle Airport have been backed by local councillors.

Carlisle County Council said the proposed £25 million development put forward by Stobart Air would offer "significant potential to support growth in Carlisle city and stimulate improvement in the economic performance of the county".

Carlisle City Council will have the final say on the plans.

Stobart Air, which manages the Cumbrian airport, has said it would invest in a new runway, a control tower and other facilities in order to transform the area and eventually offer regular passenger flights to London, Dublin, Amsterdam and Paris.

Further Heathrow expansion not ruled out

A representative of BAA, the owners of Heathrow Airport, has refused to rule out a further expansion of the hub.

Stephen Nelson, the company's chief executive, told a London Assembly meeting that the proposed sixth terminal and third runway that it hopes to build by 2020 were the current extent of the operator's plans.

However, he would not deny outright suggestions that BAA might, in the future, look to build additional terminals and runways at Heathrow.

Gatwick and Edinburgh airports gain new fast-track car rental

Passengers travelling from Gatwick and Edinburgh airports are set to benefit from a new fast-track vehicle rental service.

Europcar's Airside offering gives customers the chance to make a vehicle reservation at their departure airport, with the rental location then automatically contacted to confirm the traveller's requirements and pre-registration.

The company claims to be providing passengers with a seamless service, allowing them to present their rental agreement at the Europcar depot at their destination and then collect their vehicle.