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A summary of current events in SSE's campaign against the expansion of Stansted Airport and other recent news related to the expansion of airports and aviation
Second runway inquiry postponed for a second time – but there’s still much to be done to overturn the threat
The second runway public inquiry is to be postponed again until the outcome of BAA’s ownership of Stansted is resolved Communities Secretary John Denham has said in a letter to SSE and others. The news means that the likelihood of the G2 plans being realised are still as far away as they were at the time that Government policy favouring a second runway were announced eight years ago. Falling passenger numbers and political opposition could push the project back even further – though until the proposals are withdrawn once and for all, SSE still has its work cut out. Commenting on the delay, SSE campaign director Carol Barbone said: “This planning application isn’t going anywhere. The Government and BAA need to face up to that reality and end the blight and uncertainty which has dogged this community for so long. Our job now is to ensure that the plans are consigned to the scrap heap once and for all and we remain committed to this task for as long as this takes.”
‘Sell Stansted now’ demands Ryanair…
In the wake of BAA’s plunging passenger numbers, Ryanair has called for the early sale of Stansted Airport. Stephen Macnamara, head of communications at the airline, said the collapse in passenger numbers so far this year proved that the Competition Commission’s recommendation that the airport be sold was the only way to protect London tourism and jobs. “… we call for the fast-tracking of its sale in order to tackle the airport’s plummeting traffic,” he said. He believed the Government should follow the lead of the Belgian and Dutch governments and scrap the ‘insane’ £10 tourist tax.
…while O’Leary sells five million shares
Michael O’Leary, Ryanair’s chief executive, has sold five million shares in the airline, worth 18.75 million euros before tax. The sale reduces his holding to just over 4 per cent, says the Irish Times. Ryanair announced its first full-year loss in 20 years after writing down its stake in Aer Lingus, the former State airline. Ryanair is predicting profits of between 200 and 300m euros, depending on fuel costs and average fares for this year and a rise in passenger numbers of 15 per cent, comments the paper.
…and enjoys the Beautiful Game
With his newly acquired millions, perhaps Michael O’Leary is planning to buy more top players for his team – or even a ready-made stadium. Read SSE’s tongue-in-cheek comment on the ongoing ‘needle match’ between Ryanair and BAA Stansted. However, his pilots don’t always see things the same way: signs have sprung up around Stansted Airport demanding ‘Dignity + Respect 4 Ryanair Pilots’. The signs urge support for BALPA, the pilots’ union, and demand ‘union rights now’ from O’Leary who fails to recognise the union.
Appeal Court refuses to re-open Stansted case but provides vital clarification
The application by Stop Stansted Expansion (SSE) to the Court of Appeal, asking it to re-examine the legality of the Government’s decision to approve permission for an extra 10 million passengers per annum (‘mppa’) on the existing Stansted runway, has been refused by Lord Justice Elias and Lord Justice Keene (presiding). SSE will not be seeking any further leave to appeal because these two highly respected Appeal Court judges have clarified important aspects of the unsatisfactory original ruling which could have compromised SSE’s case at any future Public Inquiry to consider the far bigger issue of a second runway at Stansted. That, of itself, has made the case worth taking to the Court of Appeal.
Airport staff and pilots in revolt
Unions are threatening to strike at BAA-owned airports this summer after pay talks collapsed. Union chiefs had agreed that staff should forgo a pay rise in the current downturn but then discovered that BAA’s Spanish owner Ferrovial was planning to pay shareholders a dividend (reported to be just £1.3m). A spokesman for the Unite union told the Mirror that BAA “gave us a sob story about having no money for modest pay rises … we’ve been conned.” If the 4,000 low-paid BAA staff strike all BAA’s seven airports could close, says the paper.
CAA opposes state intervention for BAA
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has sided with BAA and its debt providers in opposing a ’special administration regime’ to enable Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted to continue to operate should BAA fail. Citing the experience of Eurotunnel, the CAA said such a regime was unnecessary because owners and creditors would maintain service continuity despite ‘significant financial distress’, reports the Telegraph. The CAA said airport closure had significantly fewer consequences to the public than disruption to water or electricity supplies and that ministers’ step-in rights would expose airport owners and creditors to additional risk. However SSE’s formal response to the Department of Transport supports the Government’s ‘special administrative regime’ proposals, saying: “If the Government believes that an airport is of strategic importance to the UK economy then it follows that, in the event of that airport getting into financial difficulty, the Government would want to have the power to appoint a Special Administrator to protect the national interest. The primary statutory duty of a normal commercial administrator would be to creditors, not to customers or to protect the national interest.”
Aviation’s ‘worst year’
Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson has warned that aviation is set to suffer the worst year in its history and that a major US airline will collapse in 2009, according to the Telegraph. Meanwhile, Willie Walsh, chief executive of British Airways has warned staff that the group is ‘in a fight for survival,” reports the Financial Times.
BAA seeks views on noise
Stansted Airport has launched a 16-week public consultation on aircraft noise. It is seeking views on its proposed Noise Action Plan and will hold ‘noise briefings’ in local towns and villages during August and September. The Noise Action Plan is intended to show how the airport intends to mange the adverse aircraft noise effects that were indicated by noise maps compiled in 2006 for aircraft noise associated with Stansted Airport. The consultation closes on 2 October 2009 and SSE will shortly be issuing a guide to the issues involved and recommendations for responding to the consultation.
Empty homes causing ‘deep concerns’
The number of empty and neglected homes bought up by BAA in anticipation of a second runway being built, is causing deep concern, reports the Dunmow Broadcast. Uttlesford district councillor Susan Barker says the problem is having a negative effect on the community. Takeley parish councillor Trevor Allen says the number of empty houses is threatening to split the community and putting pressure on local facilitgies such as schools and shops. BAA claims that over 90 per cent of the houses it owns are either occupied or soon will be.
Books needed
SSE needs books for its fundraising and information stall at this year’s Countess of Warwick Show on the August Bank Holiday Sunday and Monday. Donations of good quality books are sought – contact the Campaign Office on 01279 870558 if you can help.
Birchanger Summer BBQ
A sumptuous range of grilled meats (with veggie options), salads and puddings will be served up at the Birchanger Summer BBQ on Sunday July 5. The event takes place in a lovely garden setting with music and table seating under marquees - or bring picnic rugs if preferred. Tickets at £15 (free for children under 12 if advised at the time of booking) need to be bought in advance through SSE.
Heritage Hike highlights runway threat
A Heritage Hike to draw attention to the threat to historic homes and the countryside is being held on Sunday 20 September. SSE’s eighth annual runway ramble, the Hike will consist of a gentle four mile circular walk, mainly through lovely countryside in the Parish of Takeley, to see many of the 35 historic properties and homes threatened with damage, decay and demolition.by the second runway plans. The event starts and finishes at Molehil Green. The route has been designed by Stuart Walker, creator of the Five Parishes Millennium Walks, and Douglas Kent of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. There will be a barbecue from 1pm and the walk heads off after a commemorative photo at 2pm. The event is free but those who want to see sponsorship for their efforts are invited to use the special SSE form which also contains more details of the event.
The Campaign Team
Stop Stansted Expansion
01279 870558
info@stopstanstedexpansion.com
“Our Community – Our Responsibility”