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12/05/2003
Call made for three more runways in south east
The British Airports Authority (BAA), the company which runs the UK's top airports, has called for three new runways to be built in the south east over the next 30 years.
The call was made in response to the government's consultation on aviation capacity in the south east (SERAS), and BAA has said that a "prompt decision" is needed.
According to BAA, there are four candidates from which the government should choose its three options: a short runway at Heathrow for use by short-haul aircraft; a second runway at Gatwick; and up to two additional runways at Stansted.
BAA's chief executive designate, Mike Clasper, said: "This is a critical decision for the UK. If we do not provide the infrastructure for aviation to grow, we will cause significant damage to our country's international competitiveness.
"We cannot have a dynamic aviation industry without a strong airport sector, which plans for long-term growth. We can't afford to see in aviation the problems we have today on our railways."
The company has also consulted with the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) and others to identify issues associated with future runway development. A nine-page joint statement by BAA and the SRA will also be published today as part of BAA's submission to the government.
Among the environmental issues considered in BAA's submission were land take, noise and air pollution. BAA said that its approach to development was based upon the government's four principles for sustainable development.
However, Norman Mead, Chairman of Stop Stansted Expansion, claimed that the company "simply wants to line its shareholders’ pockets".
HE added: “The economic case would disappear overnight if the airlines did not enjoy the favouritism which the government provides by way of tax free fuel and VAT exemptions. And the environmental consequences for the area around Stansted would be catastrophic if the government was ever to allow BAA to get away with these proposals.”
BAA's latest call for extra runways comes 10 days after the company issued for consultation its £8.4 billion London airports' capital investment programme for up to 2013/14.
The plans are designed to increase the capacity and quality of the three regulated London airports' facilities and build the fifth terminal for Heathrow.
Annual UK passenger numbers for the next 11 years, are forecast to grow from 109.3 million, to 157.6 million in 2013/14.
(GMcG)
The call was made in response to the government's consultation on aviation capacity in the south east (SERAS), and BAA has said that a "prompt decision" is needed.
According to BAA, there are four candidates from which the government should choose its three options: a short runway at Heathrow for use by short-haul aircraft; a second runway at Gatwick; and up to two additional runways at Stansted.
BAA's chief executive designate, Mike Clasper, said: "This is a critical decision for the UK. If we do not provide the infrastructure for aviation to grow, we will cause significant damage to our country's international competitiveness.
"We cannot have a dynamic aviation industry without a strong airport sector, which plans for long-term growth. We can't afford to see in aviation the problems we have today on our railways."
The company has also consulted with the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) and others to identify issues associated with future runway development. A nine-page joint statement by BAA and the SRA will also be published today as part of BAA's submission to the government.
Among the environmental issues considered in BAA's submission were land take, noise and air pollution. BAA said that its approach to development was based upon the government's four principles for sustainable development.
However, Norman Mead, Chairman of Stop Stansted Expansion, claimed that the company "simply wants to line its shareholders’ pockets".
HE added: “The economic case would disappear overnight if the airlines did not enjoy the favouritism which the government provides by way of tax free fuel and VAT exemptions. And the environmental consequences for the area around Stansted would be catastrophic if the government was ever to allow BAA to get away with these proposals.”
BAA's latest call for extra runways comes 10 days after the company issued for consultation its £8.4 billion London airports' capital investment programme for up to 2013/14.
The plans are designed to increase the capacity and quality of the three regulated London airports' facilities and build the fifth terminal for Heathrow.
Annual UK passenger numbers for the next 11 years, are forecast to grow from 109.3 million, to 157.6 million in 2013/14.
(GMcG)
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CC Orders BAA To Sell Two Airports
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CC Orders BAA To Sell Two Airports
The Competition Commission (CC) has ordered BAA to sell both Gatwick and Stansted as well as either Edinburgh or Glasgow. In its final report on BAA's ownership of seven UK airports, the CC also stipulates that BAA must sell all three airports within two years.
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Virgin May Bid For Gatwick Ownership
A team from Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic Group is in the market to bid for a major UK airport. He has put together a consortium to raise the £2bn to buy Britain's second largest airport - Gatwick - now that the current owner BAA is selling it due to well publicised competition concerns.
20 August 2008
Commission Urges BAA To Sell Three Airports
BAA is being urged to sell three of its seven airports because of concerns about its dominance in the market. The Competition Commission (CC) is recommending that the airport operator should have to sell two of its three airports in the south east: Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.
Commission Urges BAA To Sell Three Airports
BAA is being urged to sell three of its seven airports because of concerns about its dominance in the market. The Competition Commission (CC) is recommending that the airport operator should have to sell two of its three airports in the south east: Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.
30 March 2011
BAA To Press Ahead With Airport Sales
BAA should still be required to sell Stansted Airport and Edinburgh or Glasgow Airport, the Competition Commission (CC) has provisionally concluded today.
BAA To Press Ahead With Airport Sales
BAA should still be required to sell Stansted Airport and Edinburgh or Glasgow Airport, the Competition Commission (CC) has provisionally concluded today.
17 September 2008
BAA Announces Plans To Sell Gatwick "Immediately"
Airport operator BAA has announced plans to sell the UK's second-largest airport, Gatwick "immediately". BAA's Chief Executive Colin Matthews, in a statement, said: "Gatwick has long been an important and valuable part of BAA and the decision to sell was not taken lightly.
BAA Announces Plans To Sell Gatwick "Immediately"
Airport operator BAA has announced plans to sell the UK's second-largest airport, Gatwick "immediately". BAA's Chief Executive Colin Matthews, in a statement, said: "Gatwick has long been an important and valuable part of BAA and the decision to sell was not taken lightly.
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