London's Stansted airport gets expansion go-ahead

[Pieter C. 5]

London's Stansted Airport Gets Expansion Go-Ahead

 

October 9, 2008

The British government granted London's Stansted Airport permission to increase flight capacity by 10 percent on Thursday, overruling a local authority which had banned the expansion on environmental grounds.

 

Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon said the airport, operated by BAA, a subsidiary of Spain's Ferrovial, would be able to raise flights to 264,000 a year from 241,000.

 

The maximum number of passengers allowed to use the single runway airport in Essex, north-east of London, would climb to 35 million a year from 25 million, he said.

 

"This is great news for the millions of leisure and business travellers who depend on Stansted to keep them connected with Europe and the wider world," airport managing director Stewart Wingate said.

 

But the move was condemned by local councillors who had refused permission because of noise and environmental concerns.

 

"Residents already find the level of aircraft noise extremely disturbing and allowing BAA to increase the amount of air traffic marks a further erosion of our quality of life, particularly for all those living near Stansted Airport," said Jim Ketteridge, leader of the Uttlesford District Council.

 

The decision was announced a day after a local authority gave permission for London City Airport near the Canary Wharf financial district to expand to 120,000 flights a year from 80,000.

 

City airport is half-owned by American insurer AIG, which is selling its stake to co-owner Global Infrastructure Partners to help repay up to USD$85 billion borrowed from the US government.

 

BAA is still awaiting a government response to its plans to build a third runway at London's main airport, Heathrow, following a public consultation.

 

The Times newspaper said last month the government intended to approve the Heathrow expansion before the end of the year, despite opposition from residents and environmental groups.

 

(Reuters)