‘Mixed mode’ flights could be easy answer to Heathrow capacity
Heathrow may be able to add 60,000 more flights if the airport adopts ‘mixed mode’ flights where landings and take offs happen on the same runway.
The Government is considering the proposal which would question the need for a third runway or a new airport in the Thames Estuary.
Chancellor George Osborne has secretly been pushing proposals that could see 20 million more passengers a year, reports the Sunday Times.
At the same time the Government is being urged to promote regional airports rather than focussing on a hub airport in south east England.
Birmingham Airport has said it has spare capacity to ease the strain on Heathrow.
Chief executive Paul Kehoe said it was misleading to suggest that expanding airports in South East England was the only way to add capacity.
He said regions could help take the strain and that a new generation of smaller planes that could fly further meant passengers would not need to transfer via big hubs so often in the future.
The number of flights allowed at Heathrow is capped at 480,000 a year.
Currently, one runway is used for landings and the other for take-offs, switching halfway through the day.
BAA is beginning a nine-week trial to assess the effects of using both runways simultaneously when there is a backlog of flights.
The airport operator is also launching a new campaign to get permission to build a third runway at the London airport.
By Diane Evans
Diane
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season