Feature: UK Airports Update
➔declared A380 compatible. “Code F status gives us a competitive advantage as we focus our work and energy towards airlines from across the Middle East, Far East and USA,” says the airport’s commercial and development director, Nick Barton. London City Airport has been given the go- ahead to increase flight movements from 80,000 to 120,000 per year, helping it consolidate its niche as the capital's 'business' airport, just seven minutes from Canning Town tube station – a mere two stops from Canary Wharf. This year has seen the airport embark on a redevelopment of its terminal and passenger facility, creating more space and adding additional security lanes.
REGIONAL RENDEZVOUS A380 services recently arrived at the UK’s fourth busiest airport, as Emirates deployed the superjumbo on its services from Manchester. The airport’s new managing director, Andrew Harrison, says, “50 per cent of travellers from the north flying to Dubai were driving to London rather than taking flights from Manchester. With two daily services and one of them being an A380, there’s no need to do that anymore.” The airport is currently running an extensive
‘So Far, Yet So Near’ awareness campaign to win back an estimated 1.5 million passengers in its catchment area that choose to fly from other airports, citing its direct services to the likes of New York, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Chicago,
Philadelphia and Lahore. London Luton, Edinburgh and Birmingham airports each handle just over nine million passengers in 2009, with the latter touting itself as a solution to overcrowding at Heathrow. Birmingham Airport’s owners
claim it has capacity to handle another nine million passengers a year right away and, with the potential of a high-speed rail link to London, would be less than 40 minutes by train from the capital’s Euston station. The airport’s ceo, Paul Kehoe, says, “Aviation has its part to play in an integrated transport system, and rail must play a part in distributing the demand for international gateways to airports that have capacity.” Development is continuing at the airport to merge its two terminals into one facility, at a cost of £13million – due to be completed by May next year – and is part of a £200million investment at the airport over the next ten years.
EXTRA, EXTRA Virgin Atlantic has its Clubhouses with salons, spas, pool tables and cocktail bars, and British Airways has its Galleries lounges complete with Champagne Bar, private cabanas and mini- cinema. Yes, it’s no longer enough for airlines to have an outstanding onboard product – if they’re
“The rail industry must play a part in distributing the demand for international gateways to airports that have capacity”
Above: Etihad Airways and Cathay Pacific lounges at London Heathow;
Below: SkyTeam and bmi Great British lounges at Heathrow
to be taken seriously they need to replicate their individual style and service on the ground too, and that’s why airline lounges have gone from strength to strength. The last year or so alone has seen Virgin unveil a refurbished
Clubhouse at Gatwick; American Airlines refurbish its Admirals Clubs and Flagship lounges at Heathrow; Cathay Pacific open new First and Business Class lounges at Heathrow; SkyTeam open a new lounge at its new Heathrow home in Terminal 4; bmi open a newly refurbished London Room, also at Heathrow; Emirates add further lounges in the UK with additions at Manchester and Birmingham; and Etihad Airways announce the opening of a new lounge at Manchester Airport in December. While some airlines take things even further
with complimentary chauffeur-driven transfers for their premium passengers, it’s likely that most travellers will be making their own way to the airport by public transport or on four wheels. Those opting for the latter might well have sat
up and taken notice of an episode of Watchdog aired earlier this year that investigated rogue airport parking operators. While there have clearly been some examples of fly-by-night operations, there are also a host of reliable, well-established names out there that have long been doing business with corporates. Purple Parking has extensive coverage, offering
its Park & Ride and Meet & Greet services at 21 UK airports, plus corporate membership and loyalty discounts. Meteor Meet & Greet, meanwhile, has recently added Birmingham Airport to its list of locations, and also offers cleaning and valeting services.
62 I THE BUSINESS TRAVEL MAGAZINE 18 I THE BUSINESS TRAVEL MAGAZINE
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