MP calls for Durham Tees Valley - Heathrow flights protection
05.12.07
Flights linking Durham Tees Valley Airport and Heathrow should be protected despite concerns about the environment, an MP has urged. Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson told the Commons the route was vital for the North East's economy.
The airport has said there is doubt over bmi's daily service to Heathrow. It is feared that a rise in charges for flights into the London airport could lead to a reduction in services from Durham Tees Valley.
Mr Wilson, who took over the Sedgefield seat from Tony Blair, said: 'It is very important that this route stays in place. It is vital to the economy of the region. We need to be in a position to invite business into the area because 40% of people using the service are from the business community.'
'bmi have said they could possibly withdraw flights from Teesside to Heathrow and we want to make sure we protect that route. The government is looking at this now and I want to ensure that as much pressure as possible is put on ministers and the we can prove a viable business case.'
bmi said yesterday that they plan to launch flights between Heathrow and the US in 2009 in order to 'maximise the value' of their Heathrow slots. Unless Heathrow is given permission to expand, it would appear that this route, and many other routes to regional airports from Heathrow, are under real threat.
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