Dear all,
What this White Paper seems to fail to solve is the actual issue at hand. The expected rise in passenger numbers over the period in question is 300%. The population of this country will not increase by even 10% of that amount in the same time. So where is everyone going? The government states that air travel is essential to our economy. Why is it essential that 3 times as many people vacation abroad in 20 years. That is only helping the economies of whereever these people are going. As for business travellers, with e-mail, phones and increased capability video conferencing why the need to fly to Paris to meet your banker. Why the need to jet across the pond to talk to the VP in charge of purchasing?
This small island has a limit to its airspace and its landspace. This White Paper does nothing to solve any of the problems facing this country, it simply kicks the problem down the road for a future generation to deal with.
I am not some mad tree-hugging, sandal wearing, tofu-eating nimby. This White Paper deals with the symptoms not the disease. Typical of politicos and big business.
Cheers
BHR