Fresh call to protect Durham Tees Valley – Heathrow link
13.03.08
An MP has demanded Government assurances that air services between Durham Tees Valley Airport and Heathrow will be protected after the CAA gave the London airport permission to significantly increase its landing charges - by up to 90% over the next five years.
The aviation regulator confirmed on Tuesday that it was allowing airport operator BAA to increase landing fees at Heathrow by 23.5% this year, with further above inflation increases over the next five years. This is expected to lead to airlines passing some of the increase on to passengers through ticket prices.
Stockton North MP Frank Cook said the increase was ‘an appalling example of a public body bailing out a private company.’ The prospect of the increases has led to fears last year that Durham Tees Valley Airport could lose its 37-year-old link with Heathrow Airport, with airlines perhaps preferring to use the valuable London slots for more profitable long haul routes.
Mr Cook said he was pleased that bmi has actually reinforced its commitment to its Durham Tees Valley service into Heathrow by announcing improvements over the coming summer period. However, he said 'that does not mean we can relax. It is clear that we need to redouble the efforts to persuade Government that this service is absolutely vital for the regeneration of Teesside and the wider region.’
Hugh Lang, managing director of Durham Tees Valley Airport, said regional air services into London and the wider world were vital to the future of the UK economy. He said: 'The Civil Aviation Authority and BAA argue that the landing charge increases are needed to fund improvements at the airport, but that has to be balanced against the need to ensure that services - especially those to and from the UK regions - can continue to be viable.’
‘The London link is especially important to our local business community. Many of the companies which form the bedrock of our economy operate on a global basis and need to be able to access the worldwide air travel network.’
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