| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Third Runway | |
| Posted by: | Paul Green | |
| Date/Time: | 28/03/12 13:12:00 |
| Julian, its somewhat circular. BA and VIrgin have moved long haul flights to LHR from LGW as slots became available, so they centralise more operations. BA is buying BMI, which will give it even more slots. Most of BA slots came free at privatisation. A true market woudl force airlines to pay for slots and that would ensure the most efficient use eg no more ghost or half empty flights. With foreign business people complaining of queues of 2-3 hours for immigration at LHR, do we really think all these Chinese are desperate to enjoy the delights of LHR? We should also be careful of killing regional links as we look to ever expand LHR. For eg, there are now several US flights a week from Bristol, and many other regional airports. An ever larger hub may serve some airlines but again is not nec good for the UK economy. Gatwick is a much better airport since its change of ownerhip, and seems capable of handing a lot more passengers. |