Manchester Bound Pakistan Flight Escorted in to Stansted by Typhoon Jets: BBC News

[BBC News] RAF Typhoon jets have been launched to investigate an incident involving a civilian aircraft within UK airspace, the Ministry of Defence has said.

A reported on board incident created an alert and diverted the aircraft: Picture Wikipedia

A Pakistan International Airlines plane has been diverted from Manchester to Stansted Airport, a Manchester Airport spokesman said.

An Essex Police spokeswoman added: “An incident has occurred on an aircraft. Police and partners are responding.”

The BBC understands that the plane has now landed in Stansted.

The plane reportedly left Lahore at 09:35 local time. It was due in at Manchester at 1400 BST.

 

UPDATE at 14:55

The BBC understands that the plane has now landed in Stansted.

BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Beale said that police were expected to meet the plane at the airport. The plane, flight number PK709, reportedly left Lahore at 09:35 local time. It was due in at Manchester at 14:00 BST.

The MoD said responsibility for the incident had now passed to Essex Police and the Home Office. The MoD was not able to say how serious a threat there was on board.

An MoD spokesman said the incident was now a police matter and that “our involvement is over”.

He said Typhoon jets could be scrambled after the pilot or crew of a passenger aircraft sends out an emergency signal.

“The purpose of going up is to investigate what the situation is,” he said.

“Often when a Quick Reaction Alert aircraft is launched the details are not known, but it is known that a signal has been sent.

“Part of the purpose of sending a Typhoon up is to have a look and see what they can see.”

A Pakistan International Airlines spokesman Zufiqar Bijarani told CNN: “We have been told there may have been a bomb threat.” But he did not say if he had anything to confirm or deny this.

Stansted Airport said on Twitter that it was operating normally.

Pakistan International Airlines said there were 308 passengers on board, as well as 14 crew including pilots, with a mixture of Pakistani and British passport holders.

Read the original story at BBC News…..

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BBC NEWS
24th May, 2013

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Boris Johnson backs new runway at Stansted: Telegraph

[Telegraph] Boris Johnson has called for a second runway to be built at Stansted as the gulf between the London Mayor and David Cameron widened on aviation.

”Boris thinks it is time that we looked at all the options around London because the Heathrow option is politically undeliverable”. Photo: Wikikpedia

Mr Johnson rounded on the Prime Minister and the Coalition which has refused to consider expanding Heathrow as well as vetoing proposals for new runways at Gatwick and Stansted.

Having earlier pushed for the building of a new airport in the Thames Estuary, Mr Johnson called for a second runway at Stansted to be built as a short term fix.

He also said that £14.8 billion Crossrail scheme, which will link the City to Heathrow, should be extended to Stansted.

“It would be a good interim solution,” he said. “A lot of money is now moving on to Stansted and the possibility of a high-speed rail link up there. You could be just as fast, if not faster, than at Heathrow.

”I think it is time that we looked at all the options around London because the Heathrow option is politically undeliverable and would be an environmental disaster.

Read the full story at The Telegraph…….

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By David Millward
6:12PM BST 18 Jun 2012

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EasyJet chief urges Government to look at 2nd runway at Gatwick or Stansted airports

[Telegraph] Ministers must press ahead with an inquiry into a second runway at Gatwick or Stansted after last week slamming the door on Heathrow expansion, according to easyJet boss Carolyn McCall.

Carolyn McCall said a second runway at either Gatwick or Stansted made the ‘most economic sense’ in the medium term to solve the serious capacity problems in the South East Photo: Alamy

The head of the UK’s largest airline by passenger numbers has weighed into the fierce debate on aviation policy after Transport Secretary Theresa Villiers last week scuppered hopes that the Government might be moderating its stance on allowing a third runway at Heathrow – Britain’s only hub airport.

Ms McCall told the Telegraph it was “striking” how other European governments supported their airports while the UK was stuck in a “circular” debate about aviation capacity.

“In Europe there is a stark contrast…there is no debate. In Amsterdam, the Government and airport is completely aligned about developing Schipol. In [Milan] Malpensa, they are continuing to grow. No one is debating ‘should there be more capacity and should we have another runway?’ There’s just a real focus on the fact that air passengers bring money into the economy and   they are really important for growth.”

Speaking in Lisbon, where easyJet has launched its latest network base, Ms McCall said a second runway at either Gatwick or Stansted made the “most economic sense” in the medium term to solve the serious capacity problems in the South East.

“Theresa Villiers has closed the door to Heathrow again, which…..

Read the full story at The Telegraph…..

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By Nathalie Thomas, in Lisbon
4:39PM BST 24 Apr 2012

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Related articles

• Gatwick better under new owner, says ex-BAA chief (independent.co.uk)
• Theresa Villiers shuts door on third runway at Heathrow (telegraph.co.uk)

UK: London Stansted Airport Could Double Passengers on Deregulation, Times Reports

The U.K.’s Stansted airport could double the number of handled passengers to 36 million if it was exempt from Civil Aviation Authority regulation, the Times reported, citing Nick Barton, the airport’s managing director.

The number of passengers passing through Stansted fell 25 percent between 2007 and 2011, according to the Times.

Managing that many passengers would help alleviate congestion at Heathrow and Gatwick airports, according to Stansted. “Stansted should be competing on a level playing field,” Barton said in the report.

Nick Barton, the airport’s managing director.states "Stansted airport could double the number of handled passengers to 36 million if it was exempt from Civil Aviation Authority regulation"

The number of passengers passing through Stansted fell 25 percent between 2007 and 2011, according to the Times.

Read the Bloomberg report….

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Reporter: Agnieszka Troszkiewicz in London at atroszkiewic@bloomberg.net
editor: Claudia Carpenter at ccarpenter2@bloomberg.net

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120 new UK flight services to start in the next three months

(UKPA)

More than 120 new air services will begin from UK airports over the next three months, it has been announced.

120 new UK Flights to start in the next 3 months

The new routes are spread across 27 separate UK airports, according to airline network organisation anna.aero. Manchester airport, with 16, has the most new routes, followed by Gatwick (15) and Heathrow (12).

Jet2, which starts a new base at Glasgow this summer, is the airline with the most new routes (24), followed by Ryanair (19) and easyJet (13). British Airways is starting eight new services, including Buenos Aires and San Diego from Heathrow and Malaga and Marrakech from Gatwick.

Flybe, bmibaby and bmi are all starting new routes while American carrier Delta is starting Heathrow services to Boston and Miami and Virgin Atlantic is flying a twice-weekly service from Manchester to Las Vegas.

A new airline to the UK is Swiss-based carrier SkyWork Airlines which is flying from London City Airport to Bern.

See the Press Association story here…..

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Copyright © 2012 The Press Association.
All rights reserved

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Stansted Airport baggage handlers strike over Easter

Baggage handlers at Stansted Airport in Essex have voted to strike over Easter in a row over pay.

Union members backed industrial action with a three-day strike called from Good Friday to Easter Day, but more could avert action, the GMB union said

The 150 baggage handlers employed by Swissport at Stansted claim shift changes could cut pay by up to £1,000.

The airport and Swissport have yet to respond to the result. The GMB said the vote for action was “overwhelming”.

A baggage handlers' strike over Easter would bring disruption for holiday flight passengers

Gary Pearce, from the union, said: “We have offered several alternative shift patterns and working arrangements but the company refuses to listen.

“GMB members consider that Swissport is attempting to make savings at their expense and they are not willing to agree to this.

“I have notified Swissport of the ballot result and I have asked them for more talks to try to avert action over these pay cuts.

“Unless there is urgent talks and a settlement, this vote for action will result in disruption over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

“The travelling public need to be aware that it has been this aggressive move by Swissport to cut our members pay at a time of high inflation that has led to this strike vote.”…..

Original story here at BBC News…..

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BBC News Story
29 March 2012

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WH Smith to start contactless payments trial in UK Airports

NFC readers in 46 travel-centric locations to start.

WHSmith is a veteran of the UK high street, specialising in books, stationery, cards and the stuff that goes in pencil cases.

It’s now teamed up with Streamline and Visa Europe for the trial, which will be initially be available at locations such as Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Mainline Railway Stations……

Read more at Mobileentertainment