MP calls for urgent action over air link

Jan 22 2010 by Jez Davison, Evening Gazette

SEDGEFIELD MP Phil Wilson has called for a rapid Government response to the recent inquiry into the future of Britain’s aviation industry.

The Commons Transport Committee study, published last month, supported plans for a third runway at Heathrow but stopped short of saying slots at the west London airport should be ring-fenced for regional airlines.

Instead it called for assurances that Heathrow would be linked to other UK airports by a high-speed rail (HSR) network.

But Mr Wilson said HSR would be “a decade away” and, in the meantime, wants measures to stop regional airlines, including Durham Tees Valley, from being priced out of Heathrow.

It is estimated that the impact of increased Heathrow charges and Airport Passenger Duty is the equivalent of adding £14 each way on the Teesside-Heathrow route.

“I will be pressuring the Government on this,” he said. “I will be writing to Lord Adonis (Transport Secretary) to find out when there will be a response to the report.”

The Department for Transport (DoT) said it was likely to make an announcement next month, although a date has not been set.

The bmi London Heathrow service, which carried around 80,000 passengers a year, was seen as key to DTVA’s growth strategy of providing a network of links to the world’s aviation hubs.

A restoration of the London connection would be welcomed by DTVA bosses, who have watched passenger numbers dwindle to just 300,000 - less than half the figure two years ago.

Mr Wilson said the Teesside-London link was “vital” to the North-east economy and has urged the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to step in and force Heathrow owner BAA to release more slots for regional airlines.

The DoT said it could not guarantee that spare landing capacity at Heathrow could be earmarked for regional flights

STATISTICS

80,000 - number of passengers a year on the axed bmi service from Teesside to Heathrow.

300,000 - annual passenger throughput at DTVA

£14 - additional each-way tax on the Teesside-Heathrow route