According to a report today, building a new London airport in the Thames Estuary is becoming more and more likely, with David Cameron showing significant interest.

This is a major u-turn from previous statements, and it seems we might just get this development. The government has also reiterated that Heathrow will definitely NOT get a third runway.

Naturally there are still a lot of skeptics about the project, especially since it will take many, many years to approve, plan and build, during which the problems at Heathrow and other London airports won’t go away.

What are your thoughts on the plans?

London Southend Airport is really taking off. After years living in the shadows of London’s other airports, the once-popular airport is now on the way back up.

Although for many years it’s been a place to find mouth-wateringly rare aircraft in storage and between owners (which to some extent continues to this day), the airport finally has some scheduled routes to shout about, and a bunch of new infrastructure being built ready for this year’s London Olympic Games. Southend is one of the closest airports to the games, so I expect it will be pretty busy around that period.

Here’s an update on the airport’s growth and plans:

- Runway extension has now been built, with the taxiways all improved and new lighting added. Full runway will be in operation from March.

- Scheduled services to Ireland have started with Aer Arann.

- easyJet begin routes to 9 European destinations from April, with 3 based Airbus A319 aircraft.

- The new control tower and railway station (with fast links to London) have been opened.

- New terminal under construction, to be opened in February. Extended apron and stands almost complete.

- New Holiday Inn under construction at the airport.

I’ll be visiting this year to check out the new facilities and to see what the viewing situation is like with the new roads, runway, hotel and terminal. You may want to schedule a visit to Southend during the Olympics as I think it will get quite busy.

Why not send us a trip report if you use one of the new easyJet routes?

Airline Business Blog today reports that the final day of operation at London Heathrow’s Terminal 2 is upon us. The last passengers will pass through today, before the building is demolished to make way for the new Heathrow East site, which will cater for Star Alliance carriers.

Terminal 2 has been with us for 54 years, and last year handled 7.5 million passengers instead of its projected 1.2 million. Many will remember the viewing terraces above the terminal which closed in 2002. Read all about it here:

Farewell Heathrow T2 – Airline Business

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Some highlights from the new winter scheduled timetable at London Heathrow may prove popular amongst the spotters. The timetable begins on Sunday 25 October. Here are the edited highlights:

Aegean Airlines will start using Airbus A321 aircraft on their Athens route, twice daily. Arrives 1115 and 1920.

Aeroflot will use Airbus A321 aircraft on all flights.

Air France will start using ATR42-500 aircraft on two of their Paris CDG flights, arriving 1505 and 2115.

CSA will use Airbus A319/A320 aircraft on all flights.

Ethiopian Airlines will use Boeing 757 aircraft on all flights.

Rossiya Russian Airlines will use Boeing 737 aircraft on all flights.

Gulf Air will use Airbus A330 aircraft on all flights.

Libyan Airlines will use CRJ aircraft on all flights.

Northwest Airlines will use Boeing 767 aircraft on all flights.

Qatar Airways will start using Boeing 777 aircraft on QR11/12 and QR17/18 flights.

Transaero will use Boeing 737-800 aircraft on all flights.

I spent a little time at Heathrow recently – my first dedicated spotting visit since the Queens Building viewing area closed. It had certainly been some time!

This was a good thing, however, as plenty of new aircraft went into the log, and I was pleased to see my first A380s at close quarters.

Now, since there’s no official viewing area, I thought I’d check out the alternatives. My main focus was on the Myrtle Avenue area, underneath the flightpath to runway 27L. This tied in well, since aircraft were landing on that runway.

To get there, head for Hatton Cross tube station, then cross over the A30 and turn immediately right onto Hatton Road. Myrtle Avenue is the first right. Click here to see a map of the area.

This is a residential street, so don’t park outside the houses. Go to the end, where you should find a space. Better still – park at the underground station and walk.

There is a large open area here which is perfect for photos when aircraft are landing on 27L. It is also quite a good spot for watching action on the ground. You won’t be able to photograph anything on the airfield or other runway, but you can quite easily see registrations.

Here are a couple of pictures from Myrtle Avenue.

Singapore A380 over Myrtle Avenue

Lufthansa Regional RJ85

Oman Air's leased A330 at Heathrow

It seems talks are underway to sell Heathrow’s British Airways Concorde G-BOAB to Dubai. It would become a tourist attraction on one of the palm-shaped islands, similar to the fate of the QE2 cruise liner.

This link http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/transport/article6054915.ece explains the story in more detail.

If this goes ahead, the planned display of G-BOAB in Heathrow’s Terminal 5 would not come to fruition, and there would be no lasting memory of Concorde at Heathrow.

The Concorde aircraft this week celebrates its 40th anniversary.

The Renaissance Hotel at London Heathrow has a special Spotters Day Package available for those wanting to use the facilities.

The cost is £20 for spotters to have the use of the Club Longe with views of the airport.
The price includes parking, unlimited tea coffee and soft drinks and internet access.

The lounge is available on:
Mon to Fri 1030-1600
Sat/Sun 0630-1600

Telephone number for enquires is 020 8897 6363

I recently came across this webcam at London Heathrow, which seems to take a shot of every aircraft as it passes. Quite useful for those into desktop spotting

http://www.heathrowcam.net/indexnew.php

Enthusiasts at London Gatwick airport are encouraged to sign up to the ID scheme operated by Gatwick Police. To date over 200 people have signed up, and it has been free so far.However, now there is a £6 administration fee to sign up and get your ID card.

The police stress that you won’t gain any additional rights over other members of the public by joining the scheme, but it will help them recognise you, and also help their fight against criminals and terrorism.

These schemes are popping up all over the place now, but I’ve yet to hear of any positive benefits of them to either spotters or the police.

You can read more about the Gatwick ID scheme and sign up by clicking on this link.

It seems Travelodge have an offer on hotel rooms at their London Heathrow hotel. This would be ideal if any of your are heading over there for some spotting this year.

The hotel is not ideal for viewing aircraft, but is located in a convenient place.

See this link