Gatwick plans for 50,000 flights on standby runway
Ian Taylor
ian.taylor@travelweekly.co.uk
Gatwick unveiled plans to develop a second runway last week as news emerged that the airport’s largest shareholder, Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), is in negotiations to sell up.
New York-based investment fund GIP led the consortium that bought Gatwick for £1.5 billion in 2009 and retains a 42% stake in the airport. It is in talks with the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), one of the world’s largest pension funds, with a sale expected within weeks. Gatwick released plans to use its emergency runway for regular operations as it launched a 12-week public consultation on an “ambitious future growth plan”. The airport had hoped to be
the site of a new runway in the southeast, but MPs backed the government’s recommendation that an extra one be built at Heathrow. The plan proposes “using new
technology to increase capacity” on the existing main runway and “bringing the standby runway into routine use”. It notes the airport’s current planning agreement, which limits use of the standby runway to emergencies or when
GATWICK: Emergency runway could handle up to 50,000 flights a year
“It would appear the airport is attempting to get a second runway via the back door”
the main runway is closed for maintenance, ends in 2019. The draft plan “sets out how Gatwick could bring its standby runway into routine use for departing flights by the mid-2020s”. The proposal would require planning permission and CAA approval, and was immediately condemned by local groups. The Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign (GACC) said: “It would appear the airport is attempting to get a second runway via the back door. The proposal will increase the problems already experienced by local communities.” Communities against Gatwick
Noise and Emissions (CAGNE) said: “This is totally underhand.” It suggested that “safety incidents continue to be investigated when the emergency runway is used”. However, Gatwick chief
executive Stuart Wingate insisted: “Our draft masterplan marks the start of a new phase for Gatwick.” The plan was backed by Crawley
MP Henry Smith, business group the CBI and Norwegian Air chief executive Bjorn Kjos, who said: “We welcome any increases in airport capacity in the Greater London area that support our commercial interests.” Gatwick proposes spending up
to £500 million on moving the emergency runway 12 metres to the north and adding taxiways to allow its use for short-haul departures. It suggests the runway could handle up to 50,000 additional flights a year.
Greybull Capital takes major stake in MAEL
Former Monarch Airlines owner Greybull Capital became majority shareholder in Monarch Aircraft Engineering (MAEL) after a new ownership structure was agreed. MAEL is the sole remaining
part of the Monarch Group, which ceased trading in October 2017. Monarch Group remains in administration and Sky News
reported early this month that HMRC was considering a winding- up order against MAEL. However, Monarch administrator
KPMG oversaw an agreement, with US investment bank PNC confirming it would continue to support the MAEL business. In a statement, KPMG said: “MAEL has transited to a
standalone business [with] new contracts with customers including Thomas Cook Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Vueling.” Greybull drew criticism for its role in Monarch’s failure. But MAEL chief executive Chris Dare said: “We plan to move forward with ambitious growth plans. I’m grateful to Greybull and our customers for their support.”
Heathrow to spend £50m upgrading biometric services
Heathrow is to spend £50 million on biometric technology to enable passengers to pass through the airport solely through use of facial recognition. The airport promised “a full-
scale rollout of biometric services from the summer of 2019”, with plans to deploy the technology at check-in, bag drop, security and boarding gates in what it claims will be “the world’s largest biometric deployment” to date. In a statement, the airport
said: “This will be the first time Heathrow will use the technology at every stage of the departing passenger’s journey. “The long-term aim will be for passengers to be able to walk through the airport without breaking their stride.” It noted facial recognition is
already in use for passengers on entry, with biometric e-gates at border control, and suggested: “Facial biometrics are more accurate than manual checks and offer increased security.” Heathrow customer relations
and service director Jonathan Coen said: “As passenger numbers grow, we must look for innovative ways to make it easier and quicker to travel through Heathrow, while keeping our airport secure. Biometrics are key to helping us do that.”
HEATHROW: Biometrics at every stage of the passenger journey
25 October 2018
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