Airport News - Europe.

Edited by Aram Gesar, [e-mail] For more global news, data, analysis and features, please go to: http://www.AirGuideOnline.com/order_formsubs.htm Sep 18, 2006

Amsterdam Schiphol

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is investigating whether ground noise can be reduced through treatment of the soil. The test, the first of its kind in the world, is being conducted on two plots of land between Runway 18R-36L and Hoofddorp-Noord and will last approximately four weeks. The plots will be plowed and measurements taken to see if the treated soil absorbs noise more effectively. Loud noises will be generated with loudspeakers and alarm pistols. Prior research has demonstrated that the condition of the soil may muffle noise, Schiphol said. The tests, performed by the TNO and Alterra research institutes, are part of the Reducing Nuisance at Hoofddorp-Noord umbrella project that includes local municipal and resident groups. Sep 12, 2006

Barcelona, Madrid

OAG has named Barcelona to Madrid as the world's busiest route by total flight arrivals and departures. The Spanish route swaps places with the previous busiest between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. In third is Melbourne - Sydney, ahead of Jakarta - Surabaya and Mumbai - Delhi. Based on flights operated by low-cost carriers only, the table is very different. Seven of the top 10 are domestic US routes, with Dallas/Fort Worth Love Field-Houston retaining its number one position, ahead of Melbourne-Sydney. OAG commented that there was much greater year-on-year movement in the low-cost table than overall. http://www.oag.com Sep 17, 2006

Berlin Tempelhof

Berlin Tempelhof Airport, which is scheduled to shut next year, may be saved through a deal with Germany's national rail system Deutsche Bahn. The railway company is proposing to use the facility for private jets and make use of the existing runway. It is also reported that German chancellor Angela Merkel also wants to save Tempelhof. Berlin has three airports but Tempelhof and Tegel are both closing in favor of a new E2bn facility, which is being constructed on the site of Schoenefeld and will be known as Berlin-Brandenburg International. Tempelhof has a checkered history and was built in 1923 as the world's first commercial airport and its 1,000-meter long terminal was once the world's biggest building. http://www.berlin-airport.de Sep 17, 2006

London airports

London's BAA reports traffic at its seven UK airports still grew last month, despite the disruption caused by tighter security measures. Numbers were up a modest 0.3% year-on-year to 14.3m, with the company saying fewer than 2% of the 116,000 flights scheduled to operate from its airports during the month were canceled. However, the disruption did cost BAA [pounds sterling]13m. UK domestic traffic was most affected, where passenger numbers declined by 7.6% from August 2005 to 2.2m. European scheduled and long haul, excluding the North Atlantic, were the only markets to improve, with increases of 4.5% and 8.8% to 5.9m and 2.2m respectively. http://www.baa.co.uk Sep 17, 2006

London airports

London BAA said August passenger numbers at its seven UK airports fell 5% against forecast with revenue losses and costs for the month reaching [pounds sterling]13 million ($24.2 million). The figure includes a number of one-off costs specifically related to the period following the introduction of new security measures. Actual passenger throughput increased 0.3% over August 2005 to 14.3 million passengers despite the heightened security following the terrorist threat of Aug. 10. Its three London airports handled 0.5% more passengers, although Heathrow suffered a decrease of 2.2%. Gatwick and Stansted handled 2.1% and 4.9% more passengers respectively. In total, fewer than 2% of a total of 116,000 flights were cancelled at BAA airports in August. Sep 13, 2006

London Stansted

London Stansted is the up and coming airport for North America, so it seems. With Eos and Maxjet established to the USA, Flyglobespan, the Scottish airline, part of the highly successful Globespan group, is to introduce daily Toronto flights next May. In theory at any rate Flyglobespan will be aiming at a different sector of the market, emphasizing its cheap fares from [pounds sterling]99 one way including tax, but the airline also offers Economy Premier and business class. Boeing 767-300 aircraft will be used. http://www.flyglobespan.com Sep 17, 2006

Mahon airport

Spanish investigators are studying why a roof of a building at Mahon airport on the Spanish island of Menorca collapsed. Two people were injured in the incident, as the building was apparently undergoing construction work. Initial reports said up to 20 people were trapped in the rubble, but these were later discounted. Passengers faced some disruption at the airport but domestic and holiday flights were largely unaffected in the accident last week. http://www.aena.es Sep 17, 2006

Paris Orly

French slot coordinator COHOR said it reallocated a pool of 2,460 slots at Paris Orly to Air Berlin, Elysair and Karthago Airlines on an annual basis. The pool includes slots reserved for Public Service Obligations, especially the route to Epinal, that were returned by French authorities. It also includes slots made available for reallocation by other carriers, including Corsairfly. Air Berlin benefited from its new-entrant status and received 1,248 slots for 12-times-weekly flights to Dusseldorf. Business class carrier Elysair was allocated 624 slots for six-times-weekly service to Newark and Karthago received 588 slots for flights to Tunisia. Sep 11, 2006