Airport News - Europe.

Nov 20, 2006

EU Sets New Duty-Free Rules for Passengers Transiting Europe. Effective November 6, the European Union is enacting new restrictions on duty-free goods carried by passengers on flights from non-EU airports who are transferring at an EU airport, according to the Pacific Asia Travel Association. Nov 17, 2006

The U.K. government next month is expected to issue a progress report on the airport policy white paper that came out in 2003. The white paper proposed a study on mixed-mode operations and the environmental effects of the third runway. BA was not happy with the proposal, however, arguing that it didn't make Heathrow a high enough priority. The white paper recommended building a new runway at London Stansted first. Nov 15, 2006

Eurocontrol's Maastricht Upper Area Control Center, which provides air traffic services in the upper airspace of the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and northwestern Germany, was formally certified as compliant with European Community requirements for the provision of air navigation services. MUAC's certification represents "a unique example of a multi-States joint service and a precursor to Functional Airspace Blocks," Eurocontrol DG V?ctor Aguado said. "The fact that in addition it is one of the first to be certified under the Single European Sky legislation demonstrates our commitment to being in the forefront of providing high-standard air traffic control services." Nov 14, 2006

EasyJet, Penauille Servisair

Penauille Servisair signed a multiyear extension to its handling contract with easyJet at Liverpool. EasyJet flies seven A319s on more than 170 weekly flights from LPL. Nov 16, 2006

Frankfurt airport 

Fraport Raises Forecasts After Q3 Gain. Frankfurt airport operator Fraport raised its full-year earnings forecasts on Tuesday after its retail and security services businesses helped boost third-quarter core profit by about 10 percent. Nov 14, 2006

Lodon airports, British Airways

British Airways believes it could increase annual landings and takeoffs by 50,000-70,000 a year -- or 10%-15% -- through the use of mixed-mode operations at Heathrow. Gatwick has only one runway and can accommodate about 270,000 operations a year. Heathrow should be able to handle 540,000 operations on its two runways, using the same system, compared with the current level of 480,000, the spokesman said. Nov 15, 2006

Lodon Heathrow, British Airways

British Airways CEO Willie Walsh said the U.K. government must establish a timetable to accelerate the development of new runway procedures and the building of a third runway at London Heathrow Airport,. Both efforts would provide a much-needed boost to arrival and departure rates at Heathrow, Walsh said at a Royal Aeronautical Society speech Monday night in London. The new runway procedures -- known as mixed mode operations -- would be a near-term measure that could increase airport capacity before the new runway is completed. Heathrow will lose traffic to other European hubs unless capacity shortages are addressed, Walsh warned. Heathrow is already behind four other European hubs in capacity, and it risks slipping out of the top 10, he said. Nov 15, 2006

Lodon Heathrow, British Airways

British Airways has been pushing for the mixed-mode operations for years. If adopted, both existing runways would be used for arrivals and departures simultaneously. Now, Heathrow uses one runway for takeoffs and another for landings, switching in the middle of the day. Nov 15, 2006

London BAA

London BAA To Increase Airports Security Budget. UK airport operator BAA said on Wednesday it would employ 500 additional security staff and spend more money on x-ray machines following a security alert at London airports. Nov 15, 2006

Paris Airport

Film Shows Bomb Risk At Paris Airport - Union. A union representing Paris airport workers presented a film which they said showed a block of clay being smuggled on to an aircraft to demonstrate how easy it would be for terrorists to get plastic explosives onto a plane. Nov 14, 2006

SAS Ground Services 

SAS Ground Services will provide passenger services to Emirates at London Heathrow. EK flies to Dubai five-times-daily. Nov 15, 2006

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Editor: Aram Gesar, eMail: [e-mail]

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Nov 13, 2006