So, would people connect via LHR/LGW if they had to jump on a coach round the lovely M25, to LGW? The simple answer is no. This would only serve to drive traffic to the likes of AMS and DXB

It's "only" 36%.

A 3rd Runway and T6 could be built, with a lot of disruption.

But what then? What space is there to develop LHR after that?

A single extra, smaller, slot restricted runway simply isn't enough to support the needs of the UK for the next generation.

Much better a brand new four runway solution, integrated with train, motorway and even ferries, with scope for further expansion to six runways if required:

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/...er-and-007.jpg

That is a very narrow view IMHO. That the UK and London area must only have one hub airport. If a wholly new airport for LON is not built and neither LHR R3 then wider, more radical views are needed. The key would be the owners of LGW enticing a major alliance across to an expanded 2 runway LGW. After all, transfer pax do not give a toss which airport they transfer in, only that is seamless and easy. LGW is also as good (some say better) for O&D traffic - certainly is as easy to get into central London as LHR.

As someone pointed out in another thread, "what about transfer pax who currently transfer at LHR between alliances or onto / from non-aligned airlines?" Yes, I agree that is more of a problem. But in the absence of a single new superhub or LHR R3 there are bound to be some winners and losers.

So an expanded LGW and a major alliance moving there may be somthing to look at if a new superhub or LHR R3 don't happen. It is an option....not perfect I fully agree. But it would relieve LHR and create some extra capacity there.

I think you'll find that Gatwick will NEVER be allowed to operate with two runways. There are far too many influential gentry in leafy Surrey, with connectioms in the right corridors in Westminster - the same band that put a stop to a very convenient and very efficient British Caledonian Helicopter link.

Allegedly, the planning permission for Gatwick's 2nd Runway was almost "in the bag" a few years ago - so much so that the BAA spent millions on river diversion schemes and bought up land around the airfield - only to have a devastating blow dealt at the last minute. The objections were not from West Sussex County Council, who love the airport because of the prosperity and jobs it brings to an otherwise bleak area, but from Surrey. We may criticise the underhanded, underworld ways of the mafia, but organised "business gentry" work in exactly the same way!

The figures I saw this past week were very low indeed. So I still feel we need to force the airlines to use the capacity that the UK has. BHX and LGW need to be used more. We also need to develop more routes to Asia.

But what about the birds????

Northolt is a great idea
 

Just built T6 for Scandinavian, UK and Ireland flights at Northolt, re allign the runway and construct a super fast maglev monorail line to link it with T5 for easy connections.

There would be none of this destroying villages nonsense and less NIMBY action

get on with it and stop all the running around with consultations etc

Use Northolt/R3 as an interim solution whilst they find the money and start constructing Foster Island which we will need in 20 years time

A LHR/Northolt hub will be a lot easier to run than the other proposed LHR/LGW proposal

The UK airline industry barely makes money as it is. Forcing the like of BA and VS to operate flights out of BHX and LGW, is not going to make them any more money and probably will infact lose them money.

My local airfield has two runway - well, three, actually, just one isn't shown on this diagram.

http://www.strathavenairfield.co.uk/findingus.html

So shame on Heathrow and the Uk Government for just having two!

I would bet those Surrey based objectors are not infrequent users of either LGW and LHR though :rolleyes:

Fine just don't build it there!

I'm actually more interested in the idea of using NHT for freeing up space at LHR by taking Short Haul flights. There just needs to be a highspeed link between NHT and LHR for connections which shouldn't be that hard to achieve. There is an existing rail line that runs past the airfield that could be used as well as the tube, and a major road runs next to it. yes there will be a few problems but I'm sure they're possible to deal with

Welcome to FT.

You need to think more strategically though and with a bit more vision. I don't believe anyone would want to force "the like of BA and VS to operate flights out of BHX and LGW".

Interesting concept though...did you know BA already operate out of LGW?

You seem to be totally blinkered in that it is LHR R3 or nothing. No other options exist. So in the event of neither R3 or a new superhub being built, how would you like to see the airport capacity problems at LHR resolved?

I agree I think these plans to 'allow' regional airports to take strain off LHR is unworkable.
Can you imagine having a direct flight to Chongqing from Liverpool but all the necessary feeder flights from the likes of Scotland, Norway etc flying into LHR, how are people supposed to transfer from LHR to LIV???
The same goes to Birmingham which If I recall correctly once labelled its self 'Heathrow's third runway', they need to get real and realise they are not and can never be an alternative to expansion to our hubs or a new Thames Estuary Hub.

I would get a nasty shock if I was transferring from Aberdeen to Houston through LHR and was told my Houston flights would be leaving from T6 and Runway 3 which were 100 miles north in Birmingham