With our rail travel, it makes sense to reach for the sky
Apr 25 2008 by Nicholas Craig, The Journal
PASSENGERS flying from Newcastle to London were among the first in the world to experience Heathrow’s new Terminal 5. Being first isn’t always a good idea.
The continuing chaos at T5 makes me more inclined to praise the consistency of service at our regional airports. Security precautions, queues and car parking tariffs all prompt grumbles, but I have yet to reach my pain threshold at Newcastle or Durham Tees Valley. An hour at Heathrow and I am well past all parameters for human suffering.
Flying from our regional airports to other UK cities is an underrated strength of our region.
It is relatively inexpensive to fly to Bristol, Birmingham, Southampton, Exeter, Aberdeen and others, and it can reduce such visits to a day when the same journey by train would usually involve an overnight stay.
The introduction of domestic flights to Newquay, the Isle of Man and a number of Irish destinations from Newcastle is excellent news. Air travel is a great leveller when trying to attract investors and business to the region.
It is as easy to arrive here from Continental Europe, Dubai and some longer-haul destinations as it is to descend in London, and it is a much more pleasant experience.
I can feel clouds gathering, however, in the form of more taxes and rationing of short haul flights.
The Government has doubled short-haul flight taxes in the past year and the Conservatives propose to ration us to a single short-haul flight each year, with any additional travel attracting even higher taxes. I’d prefer the speedy conversion to biofuel by flight operators. Last year there were 454,000 domestic flights, more than 1,200 a day.
Although the Government tells us it is pouring money into railways, people are still put off by escalating train fares and are instead taking to the skies.
Travel of any sort is not good for the planet. It is, however, a necessity for many of us, and the quicker, cheaper option usually wins.
I’m sure air taxes will continue to rise and trains will eventually recall the need to offer excellent service, as once nurtured by GNER.
Until then, we can choose to enjoy travelling to a generous number of UK cities by air.
When we are 60 we can do it all by bus – for free.
Nicholas Craig is a partner at Watson Burton law firm.
