Norwich Airport tours scrapped
20.01.09
Aviation enthusiasts are disappointed after plans to offer guided tours of Norwich Airport were axed following Government intervention, the Evening News reports. Dozens of aviation fans and families had booked tickets for the tours, which were due to start this month, but officials at the Department for Transport (DfT) have objected, warning the tours do not meet its regulations, and they have therefore been withdrawn. The ruling is also a blow to the airport, as it was hoped the tours would help generate extra income for a hub that has made a loss over the past three years.
The £40 tours were aimed at giving members of the public a unique opportunity to find out what goes on behind the scenes, including access to the airfield, visits to the air traffic control tower and demonstrations by airport firefighters tackling a blaze on the new £1m Boeing 757 simulator. They were also set to feature presentations and question-and-answer sessions with airport bosses. Instead customers are being contacted, informed about the cancellations and issued refunds.
Elliott Summers, who was appointed general manager at the airport on January 1, said the DfT had raised no objections to the tours when it was first informed about them last November. He told the newspaper: ‘The DfT was informed about the tours two months ago when they were first announced by the airport. The airport had a routine visit from a DfT official last week and was told then that the tours did not comply with regulations.'
‘I am disappointed that the DfT did not say anything two months ago when it was first informed about the tours. Those who had booked are being contacted and their money is being refunded.’
Add to: del.icio.us | Digg it | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit
To book hotels norwich airport or park norwich airport at the lowest price, click on these links to two great norwich airport car parking and norwich airport hotel price comparison websites.
