Infrastructure, Construction & Developments

[BHXsupporter]

Will Heathrow be expanded?

IAG sounds warning on 'out of control' Heathrow expansion costs
02 August, 2019 SOURCE: Flight Dashboard BY: Michael Gubisch, London

IAG sounds warning on 'out of control' Heathrow expansion costs

IAG chief executive Willie Walsh believes that London Heathrow's has "understated" the costs of expanding the hub as planned, and that the project is "out of control".

www.flightglobal.com

...Walsh says that while Heathrow continues to quote a figure of £14 billion ($17 billion) for the investment required, he estimates the "true costs" at more than £32 billion. ...
"We have got to call them out... We need to people to wake up," he says. Walsh calls for both the UK government and Civil Aviation Authority to "step in" and hold the airport operator to account. Officials "can't turn a blind eye to it", he argues.

 

[GliderPilot]

It frustrates me that Heathrow got the expansion green light, but with such a London-Centric government it was always going to happen

 

[Coathanger16]

Think the biggest threat to Heathrow expansion is probably Boris and the courts at this point.

It frustrates me that Heathrow got the expansion green light

It frustrates me that its taken this long and Heathrow still hasn't been expanded. It's an embarrassment that Heathrow has been this full for this long without a decent solution being implemented. Either we need a national hub airport, so either expand Heathrow or build a new proper hub airport, or we don't need a national hub airport in which case expand other airports. I'd be more critical of governments being indecisive on infrastructure than on being London centric.

 

[Ianbutty]

Think the biggest threat to Heathrow expansion is probably Boris and the courts at this point.



It frustrates me that its taken this long and Heathrow still hasn't been expanded. It's an embarrassment that Heathrow has been this full for this long without a decent solution being implemented. Either we need a national hub airport, so either expand Heathrow or build a new proper hub airport, or we don't need a national hub airport in which case expand other airports. I'd be more critical of governments being indecisive on infrastructure than on being London centric.

Boris is no direct threat. His island airport idea was not thought through. You cannot simply lift up the economic impact of a world top ten airport and plonk it the other side of London without all the travel to work and travel flight infrastructure.

 

[TM3]

IMO WW and IAG are happy for no expansion at Heathrow as it protects their near-monopoly there.

If 100s of new slots became available they would have to expand rapidly or see increased competition. Either way it would put severe pressure on yields.

 

[Coathanger16]

Boris is no direct threat. His island airport idea was not thought through. You cannot simply lift up the economic impact of a world top ten airport and plonk it the other side of London without all the travel to work and travel flight infrastructure.

I think even during the Davis Commission the backers of the Thames airport idea conceded it would never happen. Don't think Boris is even that keen on it anymore, just more that he's made such a point of being against Heathrow expansion it would be very two faced if he let it go ahead. From his recent comments I think he's hoping the courts stop it so he doesn't have too. Given he's so pro B****t and making new trade deals with countries outside the EU, scrapping Heathrow expansion would be like sticking two fingers up at business.

IMO WW and IAG are happy for no expansion at Heathrow as it protects their near-monopoly there.

If 100s of new slots became available they would have to expand rapidly or see increased competition. Either way it would put severe pressure on yields.

Indeed I think Virgin are considering plans to basically double the number of flights they have from LHR if it expands. Additionally most of the non leisure long haul flights from LGW would likely move up to LHR.

Given T5 cost £4bn and T2 cost £2.3bn (just over half the size of T5), I can't see how building a new runway, 2 terminals (1 west of T5 and one to replace T3), and expanding T2 to its full size could cost £32bn. Expanding/building the terminals would be around £10bn based on T5 & T2, think a new people mover connecting all terminals is planned costing almost £1bn. Even spending a couple £bn on each of the M25 and new runway itself would bring the total cost to around £15bn. Even throwing £10bn in there for new & improved public transport wouldn't get the total cost to £30bn.

Seeming as this is on a BHX thread, I'll circle back round to BHX. Expanding LHR is no threat to the existing long haul services we have as they are all very much serving the Birmingham market, not airlines using BHX because they can't get into LHR (they tend to go to LGW instead). The kind of long haul destinations BHX are targeting (bar a certain airport in Florida) are already well served from LHR. Any new slots at LHR are unlike to be used for those destinations, so airlines shouldn't be put off flying them to BHX if LHR expands. As for short haul, MAN, LTN & BRS are all far larger threats to BHX because of a certain laid back kind of airline that has bases at all 3.

 

[Matt995]

Runway 33 ILS glide slope update....

I am reliably informed by some one in the know at the airport, that the airport has put out a tender to finally sort out the drainage issues affecting the 33 glide slope, and that the ILS will eventurally be fixed and will be returned back to service.

however I have no time frame as to how long it will take!! place your bets now!!!!

 

[jfy1999]

Preparation for the HS2 station is ramping up.

HS2 Works Notification: demolition of the Motorcycle Track Buildings & Telecoms Building, Middle Bickenhill
Posted on Oct 23rd 2019 by HS2 in Solihull
As part of our enabling works, LM are required to demolish the former Motorcycle Track Buildings & Telecoms Building, at Middle Bickenhill, to clear the way for the future HS2 Interchange Station.

It is expected that these works will start week commencing Monday 28 October, with site set up taking place the week before. The set up week will include the delivery of equipment and the installation of temporary welfare facilities for our team (these facilities will not include overnight accommodation). Our works site, and all its related facilities, will be secured and monitored by security throughout our works. We will conclude our works by the end of November 2019.

 

[Ianbutty]

No moratorium on new contracts then. A good sign.

 

[jfy1999]

Good news for HS2 as Oakervee is recommending that the whole of it is built. The significance for BHX is that there had been questions over the delivery of phase 2 - which if built would give BHX stronger connectivity to the East Midlands and Leeds.

There is already construction equipment on the site of the HS2 bridge over the M42 (between J6 and J7).

Oakervee review backs full HS2 project

Leaked report floats idea of re-procuring contracts for best value

www.constructionenquirer.com

 

[Ray Finkle]

Departure lounge extension making itself known.

 

[58terminus]

Departure lounge extension making itself known.

Dont you mean shopping mall extension?

 

[Ray Finkle]

Dont you mean shopping mall extension?

Is there a difference these days?

 

[58terminus]

Is there a difference these days?

Theres usually more seating in a shopping mall.

 

[Brum X]

Awesome photo Ray, thanks for sharing

 

[Matt995]

Flight Calibration Aircraft G-GBAS currently doing ILS calibrations on runway 33, including the glide slope, maybe a sign that the airport has finally sorted out the 33 glide slope after 2 years?? keep your fingers crossed!!

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Flight Calibration Aircraft G-GBAS currently doing ILS calibrations on runway 33, including the glide slope, maybe a sign that the airport has finally sorted out the 33 glide slope after 2 years?? keep your fingers crossed!!

Wasn't there recently a post suggesting that a consultancy firm was to be brought in with regard to the R33 ILS problem? Did that ever happen and if so, has any work been undertaken?

Kevin

 

[IanFarquharson]

https://www.birminghamairport.co.uk...ham-airport-s-30m-departure-lounge-extension/

 

[Ray Finkle]

Haven't had a proper look through yet but the planning app for the HS2 people mover is in.

Not sure if Mr Osborne reads this forum or not but if so thanks for the heads up

If the link below doesn't work the app number is PL/2020/00291/HS2DIS

PL/2020/00291/HS2DIS | Plans and Specifications submission under Schedule 17 to the High Speed Rail (London to West Midlands) Act 2017 for works comprising: Construction of a people mover system on an elevated viaduct together with four No. station stops, one No. maintenance facility and associated works. | Land And Buildings At The Interchange Triangle, Bounded By The M42 Motorway And Other Local Highways, The National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham International Rail Station And Birmingham Airport

publicaccess.solihull.gov.uk

 

[SRDey]

Departure lounge extension making itself known.

I’ve not been on here in a very long time so some of this information I’ve been a bit rusty or unsure on also this will be news for me at the moment , I think I saw this on scrolling on my Instagram & Facebook a few weeks back but I’ve not so busy I didn’t notice anything until I saw this today on here today. By when will it be done? I’m flying out of BHX in 3 weeks so lucky me