...see that there were significant delays to Compton departures (not of Luton's making) yesterday due to parachute dropping to the west:
1) Where is this taking place please?
2) Are departures from any other airports impacted?
3) Would this be allowed if departures from Gatwick, Heathrow or Stansted were delayed ? (probably a stupid question!!).
1) Lewknor near Stokenchurch - the site is listed in the UK 'Air Pilot'
2) Only the occasional Compton out of Northolt
3) An interesting question that you've already answered!!
But, rest assured, this issue is being followed up.
I wonder what will happen if Farnborough's attempt to open for longer/more movements is rejected by their local authority?
Longer hours almost certainly won't happen - the original planning permission was only granted by Rushmore Borough Council on the basis of very stringent operating restrictions which the local population, many of whom are of the 'stockbroker' and 'Lloyds underwriter' genre, just won't accept, particularly as the flying side doesn't generate that amount of local employment and the local area is not an unemployment 'black spot'.
...the proposed new spanish owners of STN, rumoured to be cutting some £1bn plus off BAA's fancy expansion plans, and going for a much more loco, "user friendly", style development
BAA's cost base is significantly higher than ACDL (ex. TBI) and the existing development plans for Stansted require significant investment. Given the borrowing that Ferrovial has allegedly taken up in order to fund its take-over, the likelihood that Stansted can still construct the second runway, operate more cheaply than it currently does and do this without cross-subsidisation from other group airports all whilst providing a more 'lo-co' product is frankly, a pie-in-the-sky pipe dream.
