Aviation industry strategists: we’re losing the war

By Joss on 23/10/2007
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Steve Dunne, the director of The Brighter Group in Britain - which advises the aviation industry on communications strategy – has warned that the aviation industry that it risks sinking to pariah status akin to cigarette manufacturers in the U.S.

Dunne cited the Camp for Climate Action as an example of how climate activists are winning the PR war, saying, “The next generation will be unbelievably green ... (and will) end up hating us if we don't do something about it."

Tom Ambrose, director general of the European Regional Airlines Association, claimed that although airlines only produce 2 percent of global CO2, most people think the figure is up to three times that figure. Unfortunately he forgot to factor the radiative forcing multiplier of 2.7 times into his calculation - making 'most people' a damn site closer to the mark than his figure was.

Bristol expansion put on hold

By Richard on 21/10/2007
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Plans to expand Bristol Airport have been put on hold while the airport calculates the impacts of expansion on the environment and local communities.

Airport bosses wanted to submit a planning application to the local council this autumn, but it is now expected that this will happen by the middle of 2008. As with every expansion plan, the airport bosses claim that expansion will only take place if it can be "sustainable"...

Camp Hope - opposing Staverton airport expansion

By Richard on 20/10/2007
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Gloucestershire residents fighting the expansion of Gloucestershire airport at Staverton have launched a weekend-long camp, to talk about climate change and aviation.

The family-friendly protest site, called Camp Hope, runs from today (Saturday) through to Sunday, with a variety of educational workshops and activities, including a talk by David Drew MP (details after the jump).

Stansted inquiry draws to a close

By Richard on 19/10/2007
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After five months, the inquiry into making maximum use of Stansted's runway has drawn to a close. The inspector's decision is expected before Christmas.

Stop Stansted Expansion described BAA's attempts to justify expanding from 25 million to 35 million passengers per year as "wholly unconvincing", and pointed out that following a dismal inquiry, BAA are now expected to announce that the consultation into the second runway is to be postponed.

The application to expand usage of the existing runway was rejected by Uttlesford Council last year, in what is believed to be the first application to be dismissed on climate change grounds.

BAA doesn't see the funny side

By Richard on 18/10/2007
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What's an airport management company got to do to get a break around here? After a not-so-great summer, it's no wonder that the company decided to relax at its senior management conference with a little light aviation-related humour.

Unfortunately the event fell rather flat when comedian Pam Ann began her performance. Turns out “jokes about terrorism and lewd comments about duty-free lipsticks and bottles of booze” weren't exactly what Chief Executive Stephen Nelson had in mind...

Airport resistance: the story of the Wing revolt

By Richard on 17/10/2007
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Back in the 1960s our forward-thinking transport planners commissioned a search for the location of London's third airport. Stansted started out as the forerunner, but by 1969 had been ruled out and Wing Airport, a small World War II airfield at Cublington, became the Government's preferred choice.

They hadn't counted on local opposition to their plans. On the eve of the Roskill report's publication, a small group of villagers came together to form the Wing Airport Resistance Association. Funds for the campaign came from numerous sources, from the sale of original fleet street cartoons to beetle drives, and at Stewkley a 'mile of pennies' outside the church raised a considerable sum.