Fresh calls to protect Heathrow link
13.03.08
A local MP has called for Government assurances that air services between Durham Tees Valley Airport and Heathrow will be protected. The fresh calls come after the CAA gave BAA, the owner of the London airport, permission to significantly increase its landing charges - by up to 90% over the next 5 years.
The aviation regulator said on Tuesday that it was allowing BAA to increase landing fees at Heathrow by 23.5% this year, with further increases of inflation plus 7.5% over the next 5 years. This is expected to lead to airlines passing some of the increase on to passengers through higher ticket prices.
Stockton North MP Frank Cook said the increase was ‘an appalling example of a public body bailing out a private company.’ The fee increases have led to fears last year that Durham Tees Valley Airport could lose its 37-year-old link with Heathrow, with airlines perhaps choosing to use the valuable London slots for more profitable long haul routes.
Mr Cook said he was pleased that bmi has reinforced its commitment to its Durham Tees Valley service into Heathrow by announcing improvements over the coming summer period. However, he said 'that does not mean we can relax. It is clear that we need to redouble the efforts to persuade Government that this service is absolutely vital for the regeneration of Teesside and the wider region.’
Hugh Lang, managing director of Durham Tees Valley Airport, said regional air services into London and the wider world were vital to the future of the UK economy. He said: 'The CAA and BAA argue that the landing charge increases are needed to fund improvements at the airport, but that has to be balanced against the need to ensure that services - especially those to and from the UK regions - can continue to be viable.’
‘The link is especially important to our local business community. Many of the companies which form the bedrock of our economy operate on a global basis and need to be able to access the worldwide air travel network.’
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