JBT.
Taking a step back and looking at the bigger picture, surly it would be more sensible to look further afield across the country instead of just focusing on London's airports?
We have been through all this before. Please read the thread. A new Thames airport is all about international interlining routes, and nothing to do with regional airports (apart from regional airports then being able to interline international passengers through London rather than AMS).
Bagso.
BUT surely you still have to close down all the other airports in the South East to free up the airspace ? Are there not too many conflicts for arr and dep traffic from the other airports in the South East ?
Certainly it is crowded there, but then it already is. Departing eastwards from LGW you are already held down at 6000ft for ages, to miss LHR inbounds.
AMS and BRU are too far away to be effected. LGW is more of a problem, but if you have a SW facing Silver-Foster airport (the closest to LGW), the westbounds can be funnelled through the present N Downs gap (between present LHR and LGW) due westwards.
Southbounds are far enough from LGW to run through their inbounds, although there will have to be set airway airspace and altitude/ flight level restrictions on passing the LGW centerline.
Jabird.
at what rate would you set the PSC in order to have a profitable operation and get a return on capital?
Should every UK project give a direct monetry return? Is there a direct monetry ruturn to building the M25, and its subsequent widening? No.
The benefit is that business works better, and the nation prospers. The same will be true for a Silver Airport - the basic infrastructure can be government owned, and leased out to various private operators for a nominal ( or usual ) rent. The benefit to the UK will be felt and 'repaid' at the national level.
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