Heathrow cleared for take-off? Third (and even FOURTH) runway plans
Dec 11, 2015, 9:27 am
#422
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BA threatens to move abroad if Heathrow runway goes ahead
Now this is interesting
http://www.itv.com/news/2015-12-11/b...ay-goes-ahead/
Sounds like they are playing hardball now...
http://www.itv.com/news/2015-12-11/b...ay-goes-ahead/
British Airways has threatened to move its operations to Dublin or Madrid if the government decides to go ahead with its Heathrow expansion plan.
The airline's parent company International Airlines Group (IAG) warned the £17.6bn plan to expand Heathrow would lead to an increase in charges for passengers.
The airline's parent company International Airlines Group (IAG) warned the £17.6bn plan to expand Heathrow would lead to an increase in charges for passengers.
Dec 11, 2015, 10:49 am
#423
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Now this is interesting
http://www.itv.com/news/2015-12-11/b...ay-goes-ahead/
Sounds like they are playing hardball now...
http://www.itv.com/news/2015-12-11/b...ay-goes-ahead/
Sounds like they are playing hardball now...
Dec 11, 2015, 11:24 am
#424
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WW wants more dithering. He doesn't want a new runway at LHR, he doesn't want the cost of the expansion to fall on BA. He likes having an oligopoly at LHR.
Dec 11, 2015, 11:46 am
#425
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Now this is interesting
http://www.itv.com/news/2015-12-11/b...ay-goes-ahead/
Sounds like they are playing hardball now...
http://www.itv.com/news/2015-12-11/b...ay-goes-ahead/
Sounds like they are playing hardball now...
Dec 11, 2015, 12:05 pm
#426
Join Date: Feb 2015
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Unless I've missed something, it's the Conservative Party who have been consistently opposed to the third runway.
Labour legislated for a third runway way back in 2009. The Conservatives ran their 2010 campaign against this policy and hence it didn't happen. Labour policy continues to be in favour of a third runway with the support of all the major unions.
It's Conservative nimbyism which is causing this absurd delay.
Labour legislated for a third runway way back in 2009. The Conservatives ran their 2010 campaign against this policy and hence it didn't happen. Labour policy continues to be in favour of a third runway with the support of all the major unions.
It's Conservative nimbyism which is causing this absurd delay.
I never thought I would come around to this but the only way out of the impasse is Boris Island or an equivalent and to hell with the cost, as far as the politicians are concerned anyway.
Dec 11, 2015, 12:31 pm
#427
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Does anyone really think that Heathrow would ever expand?
Governments (be it Conservative or Labour) have short term vision.....5 years and re-election. Even if the Conservatives said yea to the expansion.....what is the guarantee that a Labour government in 2025 (no chance with 2020 with Corbyn) would continue building.
I even believe that UK will waste money on HS2 and we will end up playing ping pong between Yea or Nay.
Governments (be it Conservative or Labour) have short term vision.....5 years and re-election. Even if the Conservatives said yea to the expansion.....what is the guarantee that a Labour government in 2025 (no chance with 2020 with Corbyn) would continue building.
I even believe that UK will waste money on HS2 and we will end up playing ping pong between Yea or Nay.
Dec 11, 2015, 12:41 pm
#428
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Dec 11, 2015, 1:59 pm
#429
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RAF Northolt has two runways about six miles from LHR (they even have IATA code NHT)
Some people have suggested that RAF Northolt's runways be given over to Heathrow with some sort of a people mover between them. There is probably no feasible way to construct a taxiway between them though so it would not be that sensible, but if you had a dedicated Sky Team or Star terminal up there, then there would not be a huge number of aircraft movements. The RAF could probably be pacified if they were given a shiny new base elsewhere. They could keep a small operation at Northolt for any essential operations they really want to base next to London.
Whether from an air traffic control perspective it could be done is another matter.
But actually from a political perspective, it would surely be the easiest solution. Presumably though someone has said "no that cannot be allowed" for some national security reason.
Some people have suggested that RAF Northolt's runways be given over to Heathrow with some sort of a people mover between them. There is probably no feasible way to construct a taxiway between them though so it would not be that sensible, but if you had a dedicated Sky Team or Star terminal up there, then there would not be a huge number of aircraft movements. The RAF could probably be pacified if they were given a shiny new base elsewhere. They could keep a small operation at Northolt for any essential operations they really want to base next to London.
Whether from an air traffic control perspective it could be done is another matter.
But actually from a political perspective, it would surely be the easiest solution. Presumably though someone has said "no that cannot be allowed" for some national security reason.
They have a bit of work to do first too: https://www.flightglobal.com/news/ar...l-aero-418094/
If it were to become part of Heathrow they should have an underground airside link for both passengers and baggage. Current Journey time from Ruislip Gardens (closest tube) is an hour on public transport and involves changing to a bus / 3 tube trains.
Dec 11, 2015, 4:34 pm
#430
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What keeps disappointing me is how political such major infrastructure improvements are in UK. For the better of the country, the government needs to outsource such decisions to independent panels so delays and bickering does not boil down to political point scoring. But when was the last time this government or the previous one did something sensible...
Dec 11, 2015, 8:34 pm
#431
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Dec 12, 2015, 1:06 am
#432
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Back OT: it doesn't matter if the government tried to 'outsource' the airport capacity decision, it will always come back to the government of the day to make the decision in the end.
The more I think of it, the more I'm wedded to the idea of Gatwick expansion, plus, a southern extension of Crossrail 2 to LGW, to provide a decent, fast connection.
I'm still a bit unsure what BA/IAG support. They don't want LHR expansion nor seemingly support LGW expansion? Anyone would think they want to maintain their monopoly position..
Dec 12, 2015, 3:48 am
#433
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They have a bit of work to do first too: https://www.flightglobal.com/news/ar...l-aero-418094/
If it were to become part of Heathrow they should have an underground airside link for both passengers and baggage. Current Journey time from Ruislip Gardens (closest tube) is an hour on public transport and involves changing to a bus / 3 tube trains.
If it were to become part of Heathrow they should have an underground airside link for both passengers and baggage. Current Journey time from Ruislip Gardens (closest tube) is an hour on public transport and involves changing to a bus / 3 tube trains.
Both existing runway ends of the sole usable runway 07/25 are close to major public roads, so there is no opportunity to extend them.
Dec 12, 2015, 4:21 am
#434
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Somewhat. The comission's decision still came back to government to give thumbs up or down to and that is the problem. It should have been set up so that the last say does not rest with the government but with the commission. The government should not be allowed to block such a decision, but apparently Mr Cameron and Co know better.
Dec 12, 2015, 4:33 am
#435
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HS2's primary benefit is to provide relief to over-capacity routes between London and the Midlands/North. The time savings are a secondary benefit to the capacity issue.
Back OT: it doesn't matter if the government tried to 'outsource' the airport capacity decision, it will always come back to the government of the day to make the decision in the end.
The more I think of it, the more I'm wedded to the idea of Gatwick expansion, plus, a southern extension of Crossrail 2 to LGW, to provide a decent, fast connection.
I'm still a bit unsure what BA/IAG support. They don't want LHR expansion nor seemingly support LGW expansion? Anyone would think they want to maintain their monopoly position..
Back OT: it doesn't matter if the government tried to 'outsource' the airport capacity decision, it will always come back to the government of the day to make the decision in the end.
The more I think of it, the more I'm wedded to the idea of Gatwick expansion, plus, a southern extension of Crossrail 2 to LGW, to provide a decent, fast connection.
I'm still a bit unsure what BA/IAG support. They don't want LHR expansion nor seemingly support LGW expansion? Anyone would think they want to maintain their monopoly position..