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The long-awaited news of the sale of London Gatwick Airport was announced today. BAA was told to sell the airport, and has now agreed a deal with Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) for £1.5bn. GIP are also the majority owner of London City Airport.
The sale of the airport was ordered to counteract what was described as a lack of competition in the UK airports market, particularly in London where BAA held Gatwick, Heathrow and Stansted airports. This should bring much better choice and prices for passengers, with new airlines and routes likely to be announced.
The sale is still to be approved by the European Union – expected to be finalised in December.
For the enthusiast, the sale is likely to spice up the mix of operators flying into Gatwick, although details of this will only come as GIP take over and the new operation takes hold. It is highly unlikely we will see any official spotting locations return, but who knows?
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As the new airport at San Bernardino, CA nears its official opening, the locals are asking whether it will ever actually attract and airlines.
The San Bernardino International Airport is opening on the site of the former Norton Air Force Base, which closed in 1994. A new terminal has been built, and is already fitted with check-in kiosks, arrivals and departures screens, escalators, offices, and an automated voice which warns passengers not to leave baggage unattended. Coupled with 3000 new jobs being created in the surrounding areas recently, on paper the outlook seems rosy. But in these times of airlines cutting back routes or closing down, and recession hitting hard, does this part of California need another airport?
You can read the full story here.
If the airline does start to attract operators, you can be sure we’ll cover the opportunities for enthusiasts. If you’re a local, why not tell us what the new airport is like by leaving a comment?
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From today (12 January 09) there are new rules about entering the US from places such as the UK. Whereas previously you filled out a green Visa Waiver (I-94) form before landing, you now have to register your details a minimum of 72 hours before flying to the US.
See this news story for more info.
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Some new aircraft around Europe worth looking out for this month include:
G-EZDM A319-111 – New easyJet delivery
G-TTII A321-231 – New GB Airways/easyJet delivery
G-FDZP 737-8K5 – Now flying for ThomsonFly, ex TUIfly
HB-JQG EMB-190 – New Baboo Airways delivery
TC-JGZ 737-8F2 – New Turkish delivery
TC-SGF 737-83N – Leased to Air Algerie
TC-SGG 737-83N – Leased to Air Algerie
As always, send us your comments and updates to this list
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New aircraft around North America worth looking out for this month include:
N87513 737-824 – New Continental delivery
N38424 737-924 – New Continental delivery
N39423 737-924 – New Continental delivery
N75425 737-924 – New Continental delivery
N508AS 737-890 – New Alaska Airlines delivery
N617FF 747-121 – Flying for Logistic Air after storage
N575UP 747-44AF – New UPS delivery
N315AA 767-223F – Flying for Capital Cargo
N433QX DHC-8-400 – New Horizon Air delivery
N137HQ EMB-175 – New Republic/US Airways delivery
N962UW EMB-190 – New US Airways delivery
As always, send us your comments and updates to this list
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New aircraft around North America worth looking out for this month include:
N638VA A320-214 – New Virgin America delivery
N245DT 737-4B7 – Now stored at Marana after Adam Air lease.
N597AS 737-890 – New Alaska delivery
N623CZ EMB-145 – New Northwest/Compass delivery
N78511 737-824 – New Continental delivery
N923FD 757-204 – Now flying for FedEx, ThomsonFly colours
N923XJ CRJ900 – New Northwest/Mesaba delivery
C-FIVM 777-333 – New Air Canada delivery
XA-ACA 757-2Q8 – Now flying for Aladia
As always, send us your comments and updates to this list
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