New Airports take ages to build, even in HKG & Osaka ... but all the current plithora of Airports in the south of England are either outdated, non-expandable and/or a bloody challenge to all concerned.
What are the requirements of the next generation of airports - 24h? - high speed access - and whatever needs adding.
But what about a little bit of vision. High speed people movers (trains) that are fairly fast and safe already exist - if in doubt, ask the French.
So the distance from an airport to its served city or cities is now in another league.
If the 15 countries are really part of Europe (which I personally suspect is not entirely true) then why couldn't say F, B, NL & UK build an Airport Island in the North Sea/Channel with high speed rail access to AMS, Rotterdam, Antwerp, BRU, PAR & LON. Use the island to split the upward and downward ship traffic that is becoming a traffic snafu. Build it like LHR with parallel runways at 120° but make that 2 parallel on each side of the middle with room for a 3rd set if ever needed.
What a logical way to pre-invest and kick start more than 1 industry. The French want a new something LHR needs replacing, etc. It will take at least 5 and more probably 10 years to build - so hows about some studies.
Oh yes if I'm being too ambitious - just do it between F & UK or UK & B. But be visionary and bold.
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If at 1st you don't succeed, ... cheat ?
[ 07 October 2001: Message edited by: gofer ]