Proposals for a new island airport in the Thames estuary have been rejected by the Airports Commission in the UK. Dubbed ‘Boris Island’ due to the enthusiastic support of outgoing London mayor Boris Johnson, the plan was rejected due to fears over cost, economic disruption and the possible environmental impact.

Arabian Reach, the UAE-based company specialising in exhibitions and events management across the region, has revealed that suppliers in the emerging markets are set to capitalise on the $160bn worth of airport expansion projects in Asia, Far East, Russia, CIS, Middle East, Africa and South America.

Manchester Airport is to undergo a £400m development and create more than 7,000 jobs. The project comes as part of the UK government’s new scheme to create 21 new Enterprise zones to stimulate economic growth and employment.

The government has placed a ban on new runways at Britain’s three biggest airports - Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted - as part of the nation’s first major aviation policy review in seven years.

The Indonesian government has laid out an ambitious infrastructure programme which includes the construction of 14 new airports starting next year. This will include an increase in capital expenditure of 28 percent next year as the government aims to build more bridges, roads, ports and airports to boost growth in Southeast Asia’s biggest economy.

Bristol Airport’s new walkway was officially opened today (Friday 28 May), concluding 12 months’ work on the £8 million project.