Quote: "I don't see why this should be the case, with a circa 1700m strip, all non uk based (for maintenance purposes) shorthaul could use NHT more or less without restriction. As has been pointed out, a high speed underground link for the 5 miles to LHR, would effectively make this part of LHR, not separate from it. The high speed link could be an airside one, making NHT just another pier at, say, T1/2 at LHR.
As Fdf says, just what are we waiting for?"
That would be even better Hobo. Much, though not all, of the high speed link north of Hayes station could be on the surface, parallel to the A312/B455, so that would save some tunnelling costs.
International-international transfers over LHR/NHT won't be possible. Because of the need to go through border control, customs, check in and security, etc., pax won't put up with it, hence my emphasis on the ressurection of commuter/feeder flights on thin domestic routes, no-frills carrier traffic and charter/holiday business.
So don't see it as an alternative to LHR expansion, that has to go ahead, and soon, but not using NHT to its full potential is a waste of a good little facility.
Politics PAXboy, Boris has an election to win, he'll have to tow the Cameron/Osborne line after that.
Last edited by Fairdealfrank; 26th Mar 2012 at 19:01.