RAF Northholt may be sold; become Heathrow satellite
27.01.12
RAF Northolt, near London and one of the armed forces' oldest airfields, could be sold to private investors under plans being considered to help the MoD. The airfield occupies hundreds of acres in the London borough of Hillingdon, within the M25 and close to central London. It is been reported it could be used as a satellite airfield for Heathrow, although there are a number of problems with this plan.
The Ministry of Defence said ‘all the options were on the table’ but said a sale of the base, once Britain's busiest civilian airport, is not part of a specific programme. RAF Northolt, which was established in 1915, is still used by visiting dignitaries and is the home of the 32 (Royal) Squadron. The Queen takes most of her flights from the site, but It already generates revenue through landing fees from private flights, and is a favourite with city bankers.
However, it is unlikely that the airfield would be used as a satellite for Heathrow airport. It is over three miles from the hub, its runway would need to be realigned and more intensive use would increase air traffic over London, a key part of the reason the Government blocked an additional runway at Heathrow.
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