SPAA hits out at airport operator following Bmi Glasgow retreat
Sunday, 02 Feb, 2011
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Airport operator BAA’s decision to raise domestic passenger charges at Heathrow is contrary to the airport’s plan to grow as a hub, the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association (SPAA) has claimed.
SPAA was reacting to the news that Bmi is to pull its Heathrow-Glasgow service on March 27, a move the airline’s president Wolfgang Prock-Schauer says is in large part down to the increase in passenger charges from £13 to £20 which kicks in this April.
The cancellation of the service is a major blow for the Scottish economy as the route was seen as a crucial business link between the two countries.
SPAA president Brian Potter said: “It seems bizarre, because domestic services are vital to Heathrow Airport too. It claims to focus on developing as a hub for the future, rather than a point-to-point airport – so chasing away UK domestic air services will hardly assist BAA in its pursuit of that objective.
“Meanwhile, it’s hardly surprising that, following the Government’s decision to abandon plans for a third runway at Heathrow, airlines are looking to maximise their operating revenues by using take-off and landing slots for more profitable international services.”
He added: “Whilst we recognise that the new charges at Heathrow are not the sole reason for Bmi’s withdrawal, the higher fares likely to result will inevitably affect all UK domestic travellers, further reducing already declining passenger numbers.
“This will be damaging for business across the board – Government, BAA, the airlines and passengers. Scotland’s economy needs services like the Bmi GLA-LHR one.”
Potter said the SPAA would continue to lobby against cutting back on services to Scotland and would redouble efforts to make sure current services from Edinburgh, Aberdeen and the Highlands and Islands were not affected.
by Dinah Hatch
Dinah
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