News about UK Airports http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/ Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:49:51 +0100 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:49:51 +0100 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/more_space_to_lounge_at_london_city_airport_31112752.htm London City Airport Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/more_space_to_lounge_at_london_city_airport_31112752.htm Heathrow, many travelers are currently struggling to get through the new Terminal 5, opened by the Queen recently. British Airways claims the delays are due to baggage handling problems, but this did nothing to mollify the mounting angst of hundreds of waiting passengers. Passengers departing and arriving were affected, with baggage problems causing delays, cancellations and misery. One fifth of flights to Europe from the troubled terminal were scrapped on Saturday March 29 - 67 out of the 330 scheduled. A further 37 flights were cancelled on Sunday. Check-in was suspended for an hour on Saturday morning as airport workers attempted to deal with the backlog. The airline retracted its £100 limit for delayed passengers' accommodation, saying it would look at all reasonable claims for costs. BBC News reported that airport operator BAA confirmed that a "small percentage" of lifts at the terminal were not working on Saturday, but added they were either not in passenger areas or would not interfere with passenger flow. BA said it apologised to its customers for disruption and its operational staff were working...]]> http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/terminal_5_problems_-_latest_30570994.htm Heathrow Airport Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/terminal_5_problems_-_latest_30570994.htm http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/sunny_outlook_for_norwich_43017060.htm Norwich Airport Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/sunny_outlook_for_norwich_43017060.htm Heathrow, for instance, has a number of beauty counters, hair salons and spa centres. They include the newly-opened Cocoon Beauty Sanctuary in Terminal 1. In the same terminal is Urban Retreat, which offers 15-minute “prepare to fly” facials and hair dos for just £15. In Terminal 4 is the HairPOD, a freestanding beauty capsule where stylists offer a pre-flight haircut before you board. And the launch of Terminal 5 will see new spa suites managed by Elemis in executive lounges for British Airways passengers. An Elemis spokesman said: “Customers will be able to enjoy a 15-minute well being treatment on a state-of-the-art intelligent massage chair. The departure offering will aid sleep and relaxation, calming customers, so their on-board experience is enhanced.” Other airports including Gatwick, Glasgow and Leeds Bradford all have beauty zones and nail bars. ...]]> http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/pampering_for_passengers_15255256.htm Heathrow Airport Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/pampering_for_passengers_15255256.htm East Midlands Airport for the first time. The route is proving so popular that 99 per cent of the first month’s seats were taken soon after route launch. Goa, on the west coast of India, is the first destination in the Indian Ocean area for East Midlands Airport. Airport director of marketing and communications, Caroline Plant, said: "Goa is a genuine jewel in the Indian Ocean and an incredible place in which to enjoy a holiday. The new service is incredibly popular.” Flights are provided by First Choice Holidays which will offer a weekly service to Goa from East Midlands Airport until 17 April, offering 7 and 14 night breaks. Then there will be a full winter programme for 2008 to 2009, starting on 4th November 2008. ...]]> http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/ready_steady_goa_for_east_midlands_71445343.htm East Midlands Airport Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/ready_steady_goa_for_east_midlands_71445343.htm Edinburgh currently takes the crown as Scotland’s number one airport in terms of numbers flying out - but Glasgow is hoping to overhaul its counterpart later this year. Glasgow has seen a recent drop in passenger numbers with February witnessing a 16.3% fall in charter traffic. But long-haul flights to America, Canada and the United Arab Emirates recorded a 7% increase. Glasgow Airport spokesman Donald Morrison said: "We are not remotely despondent. We're working hard to get new routes and continue to invest in a new terminal extension, which will open in October and make Glasgow Airport much more attractive to passengers." Morrison admits that Edinburgh is likely to remain Scotland's favourite airport for the next few months, before Glasgow aims to win back the number one spot at the start of the busy summer season. He said: "With more than 40 new services, mainly international, set for take off this year, the number of direct flights from Scotland has never been greater. That is good news for Scotland's business community, as well as for...]]> http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/scottish_airports_battle_for_passengers_20245848.htm Edinburgh Airport Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/scottish_airports_battle_for_passengers_20245848.htm Belfast International Airport. Thomas Cook is launching a trial service for 2008 for passengers who want to visit the hotels, casinos and theatres of the legendary showbiz city. If Northern Ireland travellers take up seats in big enough numbers then there could be further flights planned from 2009. A weekly service will be offered from 29th June to 20th July - after an initial flight which went across on March 12. At present Thomas Cook Airlines already runs flights to Vegas from Manchester and Glasgow. ...]]> http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/viva_las_vegas_for_belfast_flyers_60530747.htm Belfast Int`l Airport Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/viva_las_vegas_for_belfast_flyers_60530747.htm Newcastle airport can now relax in an American style diner before they travel. The airport is the first location outside London to see the opening of an Eagle Bar Diner – a move which marks the start of a progressive upgrade of the airport’s facilities. The diner will be offering an international menu of food and drinks to travellers - whatever time of day they choose to dine. It has sleek American design influences and space for more than 200 travellers. Owner Nicholas O’Dwyer opened the first Eagle Bar Diner in London’s Rathbone Place in 2002. He said: “We are very excited to bring the Eagle Bar Diner brand to the north east. It’s the right product for the international airport environment. The menu caters for people from different time zones, whether it’s cocktails at 6am or breakfast at 6pm” “The opening of Eagle Bar Diner forms part of our wider plans to revamp and upgrade the restaurants, cafes, shops and other facilities we offer to customers in the terminal.” Airport commercial head Nicola Boulter said: “The diner’s excellent food, classy cocktails and swift table service are sure to prove...]]> http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/eagle_lands_in_newcastle_31650303.htm Newcastle Airport Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/eagle_lands_in_newcastle_31650303.htm Luton airport to increase security support personnel. With new flights taking off from Luton through the year it has employed an extra 22 security workers to help - as of Easter, when 120,000 travellers passed through the airport. They will be on hand to advise people what they can and cannot take through security checks. Passengers will be told of restrictions on liquids in hand baggage and that only one piece of hand baggage per passenger is permitted. General manager of airport security Yvonne Jakins said: “It’s vital that passengers are properly prepared to travel and are aware of the security requirements in order to pass through the checkpoints as quickly as possible. “Our security support staff will help to speed up this process and keep waiting times as short as possible.” A number of new services will be launched from Luton in 2008. They include flights to Wroclaw by Wizz Air and Jersey and Pisa by easyJet. ...]]> http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/luton_adds_security_10747606.htm Luton Airport Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/luton_adds_security_10747606.htm Stansted Airport are being promised a better travelling experience - thanks to ongoing terminal extension which will offer extra space for travellers. The airport is spending £40 million on a project that will add nearly 6,000 square metres of floor space to the international arrivals area. Stansted’s investment is designed to help the airport cope with the increased numbers that will flow from new flights to and from the airport. Managing director Stewart Wingate said: “This will transform the terminal building and improve the customer service we provide to the tens of thousands of passengers who pass through Stansted every day. We’ve invested in the latest technology to improve the environmental performance of the terminal and limit the impact of our operations.” ...]]> http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/stansted_eyes_the_future_20927761.htm Stansted Airport Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/stansted_eyes_the_future_20927761.htm
That’s because the airport has installed 12 new self service check-in kiosks to help quicken the process. The kiosks will be open from early May and will enable passengers to check themselves onto flights with airlines including VLM, KLM and Swiss.

Melanie Burnley is general manager of customer services and security at the airport. She has overseen the installation of the system and said: “The majority of passengers at London City Airport are frequent fliers who will appreciate the time saving that this technology offers. By speeding-up the overall time spent at the airport, business travellers are able to commute with further ease to their final destination.

“We are keen to continue to offer the fastest and most efficient service that passengers using London City Airport have come to expect.”
...]]> http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/check_on_to_fly_out_at_london_city_airport_17528762.htm London City Airport Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/check_on_to_fly_out_at_london_city_airport_17528762.htm Stansted then you may want to hop aboard a new bus service from the Suffolk town to the airport. The route opens on May 3 and offers a service every two hours throughout the day and night. Coaches will have WiFi and reclining leather seats. Stansted’s public transport development manager Steve Mills said: “Ipswich is a key town in the east of England. We already have more than 40 per cent of our passengers using public transport to get to and from Stansted and this new route will help us continue to build on our UK leading position. “The service will be the only direct public transport link between Stansted Airport and Ipswich and with a journey time of 1 hour and 15 minutes we are confident that people in the town will find it extremely convenient and an excellent alternative to their car.” ...]]> http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/all_aboard_for_ipswich_flyers_21079743.htm Stansted Airport Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/all_aboard_for_ipswich_flyers_21079743.htm Heathrow? Well, it’s a lot closer than you might think. The airport site is home to such a diverse range of animals, flora and fauna that open days are being staged for visitors to marvel at the nature on show. Bats, deer, birds and grass snakes abound in land around the airport - as well as plant life, spiders and beetles. A series of “discover Heathrow” educational walks and talks has now been scheduled. The walks will take place across two separate sites: Oaks Road and Two Bridges Farm. The first walks have already been held in April but more will take place in June. If you’re interested in seeing more then email heathrowenvironment@baa.com for more information. And if you want to volunteer to help conduct nature surveys or manage the area, you can do that too. Walks last about an hour. ...]]> http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/welcome_to_heathrow_nature_reserve_55215537.htm Heathrow Airport Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/welcome_to_heathrow_nature_reserve_55215537.htm Luton Airport you’ll now be sitting on a more environmentally friendly vehicle. The airport has bought four new fuel efficient models to replace the gas guzzlers it was previously using - and plans to renew its whole fleet. Luton’s new COBUS 3000 vehicles feature lightweight aluminium bodies to cut down on fuel bills - and they also prolong vehicle life because aluminium doesn’t rust. Savings of five litres of diesel per hour - even at the low speeds travelled on airport tarmac - are predicted. The vehicles also boast wide doors on both sides and easier access for wheelchair users, the elderly and people with pushchairs. You may also notice the anti-slip flooring and temperature management as you travel from plane to terminal building on the buses. ...]]> http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/luton_airport_buses_go_green_45185223.htm Luton Airport Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/luton_airport_buses_go_green_45185223.htm Belfast Airport. That’s because new flights to Munich, Milan and Lanzarote will be on offer from next winter (2008 to 2009). It brings the total number of overseas destinations that you can fly to from the Northern Ireland airport to 34. More than six million people are set to fly from Belfast this year. And the new flights will help Northern Ireland’s business flyers, the airport believes. Airport managing director John Doran said the new flights are a boost for the whole Northern Ireland economy. He said: "At a time when there has arguably never been a greater need for companies here to exploit their export potential we are giving them access to Europe that has never been available before.” ...]]> http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/belfast_flights_mean_business_71008400.htm Belfast Int`l Airport Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/belfast_flights_mean_business_71008400.htm http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/more_spanish_flights_from_norwich_39675545.htm Norwich Airport Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/more_spanish_flights_from_norwich_39675545.htm Leeds Bradford International Airport. The trips are being offered by Jet2holidays.com and include three nights’ hotel accommodation. Prices start at £699 per person and travellers can choose from three to five star hotels to stay in. All taxes and charges are included. If the flights prove popular the airport and operator both hope that more will follow. Leeds Bradford commercial and aviation development director Tony Hallwood said: “A transatlantic route has always been high on the agenda for us. “This announcement takes the airport and the region that step closer to securing a regular schedule service to New York.” Managing director Richard Bodin, of Jet2holidays.com, said: ““We are launching initially with four departures. “If these are successful and in high enough demand we will add more to the programme.” ...]]> http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/new_york,_new_yorkshire!_13227570.htm Leeds Bradford Airport Tue, 27 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/new_york,_new_yorkshire!_13227570.htm Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport is adding to its increasing number of food and retail outlets. The most recent arrival, opened in May, is a Subway fast food emporium, offering sandwiches to hungry travellers. JLA property manger Andrew Nicholls said: “We are delighted that Subway has joined the growing list of retailers represented at JLA. “The unit is situated landside before security control and is already proving to be extremely popular as many passengers, visitors and employees sample the freshly prepared sandwiches.” Subway’s new outlet follows other recent retail openings at the airport which include GO Pizza, Bo Shoes and an Antler store. ...]]> http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/travel_to_the_mersey_eat_91568203.htm Liverpool Airport Tue, 27 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/travel_to_the_mersey_eat_91568203.htm Stansted airport. That's the day the NASA Space Shuttle touched down at the UK airport back in 1983. Now Stansted is holding a special exhibition to mark the 25th anniversary of the event. More than half-a-million people gathered on June 5, 1983, to watch the Space Shuttle as it landed piggy back on the back of a specially modified Boeing 747. The visit was part of a European tour that included stops in Germany, Italy and France. To commemorate the landing a one-day exhibition will be held at Stansted this Thursday, June 5. There will be film footage of the Shuttle landing, together with rare photos and memorabilia. Retired staff who were at the airport 25 years ago will be returning. Former head of public affairs and exhibition organiser Derek Winter said: "The Shuttle's visit was probably the most famous event in the history of the airport and I decided I couldn't just let the anniversary go by without doing something to mark the occasion. "I'm really looking forward to meeting up with some of my old colleagues who worked with me back in 1983, and also talking to newer staff who perhaps were a bit young...]]> http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/stansted_remembers_shuttle_14145577.htm Stansted Airport Fri, 06 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/stansted_remembers_shuttle_14145577.htm Birmingham Airport. The survey looked at implications of a planned new £120 million runway extension. It claims that 20,000 new jobs would be created across the West Midlands as a result of the development with “subsequent benefits to health”. But critics say the airport is trying to put a gloss on negative results of a previous survey. A £50,000 study by experts at Liverpool University had warned of health implications for children at 31 local schools, elderly people and anyone with circulatory or respiratory conditions. But because the university wouldn’t produce an easy-to-read summary of its complicated 171 page findings the airport decided to commission its own new probe. Airport acting managing director Joe Kelly said he wanted a “second opinion” to make sure the university analysis was properly understood. He said: “We believe it has helped our understanding and we will use both reports to produce a health management plan. “The key message is that both reports conclude the runway extension...]]> http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/airport_is_good_for_your_health_15877113.htm General Travel Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/airport_is_good_for_your_health_15877113.htm Exeter Airport has had a makeover. The Devon airport has put in new terminal signs, launched a new logo and there’s a new look website online. Inside the airport terminal atrium there is a new 3D logo fitted to the glass. The changes are designed to reflect a new direction after the airport’s recent change of ownership. Communications manager Stephen Ayres has been responsible for the installation of the signs and the new website at www.exeter-airport.co.uk. He said: “We are in a new era for the airport and have already received some very positive feedback. “Our passengers seem to like the new bright sign colours as they arrive at the airport and the website has been very well received.” The new logo features coloured silhouettes of travellers. ...]]> http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/new_image_for_exeter_airport_17785739.htm Exeter Airport Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/new_image_for_exeter_airport_17785739.htm Stansted. Every person who flies out of Norwich is charged an “airport development fee” which from September will be £5 for adults - up from the present price of £3. The £1 rate for children remains unchanged. The fee was introduced in April 2007 to help make improvements to the runway, check-in areas, shops, parking and customer services as part of a five-year £18 million investment plan. Norwich Airport was sold in 2003 to investment group Omniport for £11m by Norwich City Council and Norfolk County Council. But Flybe has warned the airport that customers will not appreciate the increase. A spokesman said: “"Flybe is concerned that this action will give passengers a further reason to choose to fly from Stansted rather than Norwich. "We call upon Omniport to urgently review and...]]> http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/airport_increases_fees_28692320.htm General Travel Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/airport_increases_fees_28692320.htm Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh airports. But traffic figures from the Scottish airports are mixed in other areas. At Aberdeen domestic flyers fell by 3.9 per cent - reflecting a UK-wide downward trend. But numbers leaving Aberdeen for foreign destinations rose by two per cent. Edinburgh was Scotland’s busiest airport in May with 800,000 passengers. BAA Scotland spokesman Donald Morrison said: “The bigger picture shows the market in Scotland remains resilient in the face of global pressures with international travel continuing to soar.” ...]]> http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/scots_flying_away_69055676.htm General Travel Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/scots_flying_away_69055676.htm ...]]> http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/delay_in_london_city_airport_expansion_plan_-_mayor_18305246.htm London City Airport Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/delay_in_london_city_airport_expansion_plan_-_mayor_18305246.htm Gatwick Airport) are already photographed as they pass through airport security, but fingerprint scanning will add a higher level of identity verification and security. ...]]> http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/wash_your_hands_before_you_fly_13227574.htm General Travel Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/wash_your_hands_before_you_fly?_13227574.htm Heathrow airport. In a report commissioned by laptop maker Dell conducted by the Ponemon Institute, figures revealed that Heathrow tops the table in terms of misplaced, lost and stolen laptops – followed by Amsterdam and Paris Charles de Gaulle airports. Apparently, in the eight largest airports in the EMEA region more than 3,300 laptops are either lost or go missing EVERY week. Of those laptops which end up in lost and found departments 57 per cent are never reclaimed. The research also revealed that 42 per cent of business travellers don't have back up for data on their laptops, while 55 per cent said they haven't taken steps to protect it. The report was commissioned to coincide with a number of new data protection services launched by Dell, but here at aph.com we would recommend a few simple steps to ensure if you do lose your laptop at an airport, you stand a good chance of getting it back – intact: - Back up important data – now. Online storage is a good idea if you are a frequent traveller, as then you have a virtual back up available 24/7 without the need of carrying any heavy or easily lost external storage...]]> http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/airports_-_a_great_place_to_lose_a_laptop_17211825.htm General Travel Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/airports_-_a_great_place_to_lose_a_laptop_17211825.htm Heathrow Airport's new area. And it seems if you're looking to start or finish a trip in style, this is the place to be. With a direct bridge link to Terminal 5, the five star rated Heathrow Sofitel hotel, owned by Arora International Hotels, has 605 guest rooms and suites, making it one of the largest of Europe’s airport hotels. Architect is Stephen Williams, who designed London Chelsea Harbour’s Conrad Hotel. The interiors are designed by Khuan Chew of KCA International, who worked on Dubai's seven-star fantasy hotel, the Burj Al Arab. Chef consultant to the hotel is French legend Albert Roux, while Executive chef Julian Jenkins will be in charge of the kitchen. The Sofitel also houses a tea salon, two bars, a spa, and 45 meeting rooms. Meanwhile, British Airways has launched a new integrated campaign to promote the airlines’ base at Heathrow’s Terminal 5, six months after its problematic opening. The campaign uses the strapline ‘Terminal 5 is working’ - designed to communicate to us wary punters that the terminal has...]]> http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/heathrow_terminal_5's_first_hotel_opens_10602901.htm Heathrow Airport Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/heathrow_terminal_5's_first_hotel_opens_10602901.htm Exeter International Airport, the fastest growing airport in England's south west, has unveiled an ambitious expansion plan. Airport bosses are touring the county of Devon to show local people their vision for the airport, which serves most European holiday destinations as well as Canada. The Department for Transport's White Paper, "The Future of Air Transport" sets out a strategic framework for the development of airport capacity in the UK. It states that Exeter, “has a distinctive role in serving the local catchment area and there is significant scope for development without major environmental impacts.” Exeter Airport's Masterplan details runway and terminal capacity constraints which include aircraft size, scheduling, environmental and safety issues. The exhibition shows the airport's development plans until 2030 - including trebling passenger numbers to 3.4 million a year, developing terminal facilities and extra parking. The airport hopes to become carbon neutral by 2015. ...]]> http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/big_plans_for_exeter_18233201.htm Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/big_plans_for_exeter_18233201.htm If you are using Heathrow's new Terminal 5 over the coming months, you'll probably be interested to hear that it is now the UK's biggest Wi-Fi hotspot, meaning that wherever you are in the terminal, you can use your laptop and connect to the internet at pretty high speeds. The wireless connectivity covers a space the size of 50 football pitches, and is provided by UK mobile phone operator, T-Mobile. If you are a T-Mobile customer, you get a free high speed connection, that's five times faster than the 8Mbps available to non-T-Mobile customers. Those not on the T-Mobile network are asked to pay £5 an hour or £10 for the whole day – worth it if you forgot to tell your neighbour to water the plants or feed the cat.

...]]> http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/heathrow_britain's_biggest_wi-fi_hotspot_21411632.htm Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/heathrow_britain's_biggest_wi-fi_hotspot_21411632.htm
You may have already seen the sacanners in action in the US, or during a recent trial period at London Heathrow's terminal four. The new machines are said to be far more effective than the traditionla 'pat down' security check performed by airport staff. If the machines are introduced, we will see them at UK airports by April 2010. ...]]> http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/uk_airports_to_get_virtual_body_scanners_by_2010_27707480.htm Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/uk_airports_to_get_virtual_body_scanners_by_2010_27707480.htm And while that's good news for frequent flyers – meaning you can get through the airports a little quicker – it's bad news for the industry.
The airport firm handled some 12.4 million passengers in October 2008. This year, BAA´s UK airport traffic has declined by 1.9%, for the ten months to October, with a total number of passengers of 125.8 million.
European charter flights recorded the highest percentage drop (-15.7%) while North Atlantic, domestic, European scheduled and other long haul were down 7.1%, 6.3%, 5.1% and 4.3% respectively.
On an individual airport level, Heathrow's passenger numbers were down 3.7%, although its North Atlantic traffic continued to do well (up 7.4%). Gatwick’s positive results on the Irish routes (up 27.3%) and European scheduled (up 3.5%) offset the 41.6% drop in North Atlantic traffic (mostly put down to the introduction of the ‘Open Skies’ agreement), the airport overall declined 10.3%. Stansted was down by 6.3%; Southampton by 7.4%.
Scottish airports...]]> http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/slowing_air_passenger_numbers_across_uk_15595952.htm Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/slowing_air_passenger_numbers_across_uk_15595952.htm Gatwick to close Inter Terminal Transport System Gatwick airport will lose the highly popular monorail-based Inter Terminal Transit System at the end of this month. The popular system will be shut down on 28th September this year. A new system designed and implemented by Bombardier (at an estimated total cost of some £27 million, $42 million, 32 Euros) will not be ready until next summer, with the new system expected to be ready for travellers in May and July 2010. In the meantime there will be a replacement bus service, with buses scheduled to run every three minutes during the day time and every six minutes at night time between the Gatwick terminal buildings. It is estimated that travellers should allow for at least 20 minutes for the journey time. However, those wise enough to book airport parking at APH Gatwick will be able to enjoy the APH customer transfer system between the APH car park and both terminals as normal as the APH transfer service will be unaffected during the shut down of the Inter Terminal Transport System! Bombardier are, as is only to be expected, pleased to have the contract for this massive task. Colin...]]> http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/gatwick_to_close_inter_terminal_transport_system_10807783.htm Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/gatwick_to_close_inter_terminal_transport_system_10807783.htm East Midlands Airport services saved The decision by EasyJet to pull out of services from the East Midlands Airport caused something of a flutter at the time. Rather coyly, EasyJet announced the closure of the service as: “network redeployments” and made only a glancing mention that there would be jobs lost to their employees based at East Midlands Airport and at Luton: “...easyJet has therefore opened a formal 90 day consultation with its crew at Luton and East Midlands” said their official statement. However, BMIBaby has stepped in and decided to take over the flight spaces left vacant by EasyJet's departure from East Midlands Airport. They have heralded the decision by announcing a “massive expansion plan from East Midlands Airport”. There will be three additional aircraft to be based at East Midlands Airport. And there will be eight new European routes from East Midlands Airport to Alghero (Sardinia), Barcelona, Bastia (Corsica), Cork, Dubrovnik (Croatia), Malta, Newquay and Venice. They also point out that, with the departure from East Midlands Airport of EasyJet, BMIBaby will be able to offer...]]> http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/east_midlands_airport_services_12224673.htm Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/east_midlands_airport_services_12224673.htm Heathrow will cost a billion Pounds and from the look of artist's impressions, it will be a fantastic building with a bold and futuristic appearance. And it is designed to meet the latest rules and regulations for energy efficiency and carbon emissions. Terminal 2 will house Star Alliance airlines and it is expected that some 20 million passengers will use this spacious and modern airport facility each and every year.

Mike Brown, who is Heathrow Airport's Chief Operating Officer, is quoted as having said:
“These exciting plans will be a reality for millions of Heathrow's passengers, making every passenger journey a better one and underlining Heathrow's pre-eminent position at the heart of international travel and the global economy."
“The new Terminal 2 is part of a major programme of work already underway. Passengers travelling through Heathrow will be using new and extensively refurbished facilities which provide us with an excellent platform from which we can provide a better service to our customers than ever before.”

Terminal 2 is only one part of a very...]]> http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/terminal_2_changes_30069040.htm Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/terminal_2_changes_30069040.htm Gatwick sold,” says BAA The British Airport Authority (BAA) has announced that it has come to an agreement to sell its 100% interest in Gatwick Airport Limited to an body controlled by Global Infrastructure Partners. The price agreed on is £1.51 billion. £55 million is conditional on future traffic performance and the future capital structure of the buyer. BAA has revealed that the proceeds of the sale will largely be used to repay part of BAA's existing debt. BAA originally announced its plans to sell Gatwick in September of last year, before the end of the Competition Commission's UK airports market investigation. Colin Matthews, BAA's Chief Executive, said: "Gatwick and its people have long been a central part of BAA and we are proud of the airport's development as one of the world's leading international airports". "BAA is changing and today's announcement marks a new beginning for both Gatwick and BAA. We wish Gatwick well for the future and are confident that the airport will flourish under new ownership. BAA will focus on improving Heathrow and our other airports." The sale is subject to a number of factors, including EU merger...]]> http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/gatwick_sold_41719495.htm Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/gatwick_sold_41719495.htm Birmingham Airport will now be served by flights to the Northern Iraq towns of Erbil and Sulaymaniyah.
The service is operated by Swedish travel operator Aer Olympic, and provides travellers with weekly departures on an alternate basis to the cities of Erbil and Sulaymaniyah via Stockholm. The new route provides the local Iraqi-Kurdish market with a direct link back to the region, without the need to fight motorway traffic to fly from airports outside the Midlands. Paul Kehoe, the CEO of Birmingham...]]> http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/from_brum_to_baghdad_94849755.htm Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.aph.com/news/uk_airports/from_brum_to_baghdad?_94849755.htm