LHR and Open Skies

[sjr]

So far the list consists of Continental and Delta adding services to LHR in March next year. Continental and Delta both want to operate two routes and AF is giving up slots to allow them to do this. One thing is certain however, if the airport wants the open skies to benefit them they really need to build a third runway to allow them to handle more traffic. The question is where can this be done because the airport is surronded from every side by residential and industrial areas to my knowledge. Looking at it the only available space would be on the far side of the M4 and this isn't reachable because for one there is the M4 and now T5 stands in the way. So the only way to expand is to destroy residential areas. I think London could do with building a new airport capable of handling at least all the traffic from LHR and LGW maybe even Stansted and then closing the old airports. This has happened in the past with Croydon airfield closing for LHR. The problem is lack of space to build. Maybe a Kansai style airport would work being built in the Thames estuary and having fast links to the city with new underground bullet trains would work.

If anyone has any thoughts on any of this please let me know because LHR even though it isn't exactly spotter friendly is still one of my favouritte U.K. Airports

[sjr]

Heard a rumour that China Airlines is looking to obtain slots at London Heathrow. Where they may aquire these from is anyones guess as LHR has all its slots occupied

[admin]

LHR should be expanded. If possible. There is too much demand!

[sjr]

Its possible but its a difficult situation that the airport is in since the airport is boxed in. They really should have replaced it with a new airport that had more room to expand but that has never happened and with T5 nearly finished it never will happen.