Proposals in the pipeline to safeguard regional air links
Mar 25 2009 by William Green, The Journal
POTENTIAL proposals to safeguard critical air links between the region and London could be unveiled within months, it emerged yesterday.
A Government review of airports will look at regional connections to London Heathrow and is due to report later this summer in the wake of pressure from North MPs and business leaders.
The news emerged following talks between a regional delegation led by Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson and Aviation Minister Jim Fitzpatrick yesterday.
The meeting was set up after airline bmi announced it was ending flights between Heathrow and Durham Tees Valley airport – with much of the blame laid on high charges at Heathrow.
Hugh Lang, a senior executive from Peel Airports which owns Durham Tees Valley, said: “The Government has undertaken to specifically look at the role of domestic feeder services from the regions to London Heathrow. And in a sense is looking to identify mechanisms for the continuance of those services.”
Mr Lang said it was a “very positive” meeting but stressed it was not individual airport links at risk but those of regions – which in the North East includes Newcastle Airport.
Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson said: “I thought it went very well. There is a review into the economic impact of aviation regulation at the moment.
“One aspect that was not taken into account last time was the impact on regional airports and regional economies.
“But this time because regional MPs and regional development agencies, like One North East, have pushed for it, this aspect is now being considered.”
He added the Government was hoping to make an announcement in around June and called on Heathrow owners BAA to consider the impact of charges on regional economies.
