APD
The question of retaining slots for LHR & the loss of competition when bmi comes to drop the route still seems to be exorcising the minds of NE politicians, what with the matter recently raised at PMQs & the recent news that a couple of Libdem politicians raised the matter with the Scottish Secretary. At least the matter is out in the public domain, but I don't know what difference it will make, & how much sway politicians would have on the matter. Not a lot, I would have thought.
The MD of Aberdeen raised the issue of devolving the APD to the Scottish Govt, saying that the transferral of this matter would allow the Scottish Govt to set a rate that would help to attract new serivces to Scottish airports. He also said in his letter to the Scottish Govt that as it stood, the level of APD set by the UK Govt was in danger of providing a barrier to attracting new airlines & services to the likes of ABZ.