Airport News
Passengers face queues at Stansted Airport
Stansted Airport is the latest airport to be under scrutiny for lengthy queues at passport control. In recent weeks, Heathrow Airport has come into focus as it emerged that passengers are being forced to queue for two hours at passport control - a situation that is gathering increasing concern as the London Olympics 2012 approaches.
EU seeks to boost airport capacity with new measures
The European Commission has announced a package of measures designed to increase capacity airports in Europe, reduce delays and improve the quality of services offered to passengers. The measures address the quality of services passengers and airlines receive on the ground before they take off and after they land, the transparency of decisions on airport noise, as well as the efficiency of the complex network of take-off and landing slots that make up every journey.
Vienna Airport set for self-boarding gates
Passengers flying with any airline from Vienna International Airport are set to use the first common-use self-boarding gates go into operation anywhere in the world. The gates, provided by air transport IT specialist SITA, are being installed throughout Vienna’s terminals, including the new terminal Skylink, which will open mid-2012.
Broad Construction Services to build new Perth Airport domestic terminal
Westralia Airports Corporation (WAC), the owner and operator of Perth Airport, has confirmed that Broad Construction Services (WA) has been selected as lead contractor to build the new domestic terminal.
Glasgow Airport secures direct flight to Madrid
Glasgow Airport has added one of Europe’s most popular capital cities to its list of destinations after Spanish regional airline Air Nostrum confirmed it will introduce direct flights to Madrid.
Schiphol seeks to speed up immigration checks
Accenture has been selected by the Dutch ministry of internal affairs to design and deliver Automated Border Control Systems at Schiphol airport in Amsterdam. The new systems will reduce the waiting time of travellers passing through one of the world’s busiest airports during peak immigration periods by more efficiently validating passenger identities and documentation.
BAA forced to sell Stansted Airport
The Competition Commission has confirmed BAA will be forced to sell Stansted Airport and either Edinburgh or Glasgow Airport, with the sales process expected to start in three months.
AENA sale approved by Spanish government
Spanish government officials have approved the sale of airport authority Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea and stakes in 20-year concessions to operate Madrid-Barajas and Barcelona-El Prat airports.
UK airport strike latest
Britain’s main airports have reported no serious delays despite a walkout by UK Border Agency staff. Heathrow and Gatwick said passport control queues were hitting Home Office targets. Operators reported that passengers were being moved through largely on schedule as UKBA brings in contingency plans.
Stratospheric growth for Dubai airport
Passenger numbers at Dubai International, voted “Middle East Leading Airport’s” by World Travel Awards, surpassed the four million mark for the second time in the airport’s 50 year history in October and that monthly total will soon become the norm, according to traffic results and projections released today by Dubai Airports.
Industry rounds on UK coalition cuts
Leading tourism industry figures have attacked the UK coalition government following an announcement staff at the department for culture, media and sport could be cut by half. At the same time, Unite has questioned government plans to introduce further competition at UK airports.
Public transport to blame for missed flights
Despite the fact that nearly 90% of Londoners plan to get to the airport at least 2 hours before their flight is due to depart, nearly one third admitted to having missed a flight and shockingly one in five in the South East confessed to missing flights at least three times.