From reading the news report in the telegraph, it seems the government is going to force Euro airlines to switch multiple frequency routes to use BHX.
Whilst I dont begrudge BHX seeing more service, there are 3 points that cross my mind:
-Can the British Government have jurisdiction as to which
private airline can use XXX
private airport?
-Is BHX capable of handling all the extra traffic thats thrown its way? I mean, its not exactly the biggest airport in the UK now is it?
-Long haul traffic is not mentioned, but surely European airlines can contest having to move its routes out of London whilst Long haul routes get prefferential treatment?
Considering Manchester has three terminals two runways and is central for 75% of the country surely that that s/b the airport that s/b expanded ?
They seem to be hanging on this HSR link, but seem to forget, that by UK standards, its going to take about 5 years to get all the planning permissions after all the contests, then another 5 years to build. A lot can happen in 10 years. In the meantime, with a half hourly rail service to London, frequent trains northwards to scotland, MAN is primed and ready to handle traffic.
Not only capacity wise, MAN has more lounges (2xEscape, 2xServiceair, BA lounge, V-room, EK lounge, EY lounge) which is what premium pax want.
I think the government actually need to study what they intend messing around with, as it seems they dont have a clue about what they are doing.