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[Dishevelled Den]

Do we need a third airport?

Yes, we do. If we can't have an extra runway at LHR, we need to look somewhere else.

Why?

Mainly because the emerging economies, especially in Central & South America are very poorly served by direct UK routes. Paris, Amsterdam and Frankfurt have quite a number of direct connections. There is no room for further slots at LHR and LGW expansion is not really on the cards.

So, where should it be?

I'm minded to think that Manston is the obvious choice. There is an airport there already and it no further from central London than either Stansted or London, thus it would be far less expensive to expand than the fresh start which would be necessary for Boris' plan.

Just my two-penneth, as they say.

Yes I certainly agree and would add that, whether it's Manston or not, it would be sensible in my view to utilise existing capacity - enlarging and improving as necessary (where practical) - rather than embarking on such ambitious capital projects the true cost of which will never be known until it’s too late to challenge the invariably optimistic early cost projections.

[Weds]

and one thing boris the div has'nt answered is what happens to HMS montgomery..??...a second world war ship sunk with 2000 tonnes of explosives...cant be raised or blown up.....as if it goes it will cause a very bid tidal wave which knock out the isle of sheppy(which tbh no one will miss)...parts of gravesend,bluewater,and parts of south london....but one thing for sure is this boat is not stable enough to put up with the heavy duty air traffic they are proposing

I was going to mention that but you got there first.. Heads in the sand come to mind, something has to be done about it eventually..

[mantahatch]

I have never really understood the need for the UK to be a main european hub for flights. I mean what do we get out of it ? I cannot see someone from America or China flying to UK and then on to somwhere in europe. It does not make sense for the traveller.

I do agree with expanding existing airports rather than building a new folly. Someone mentioned Bournemoth and Southampton airports. Both of these I use the most. Sadly Southampton cannot really be expanded easily as it is right next to hill with many many houses on it. The only other way would be to put in a runway the other way, but I think both M3 and M27 are in the way. Yes problems that can be overcome but at what cost. Bournemouth would easily be expandible as it has a huge runway (Concorde landed there a few times.

Sadly both Bournemouth and Southampton are actually suffering from contraction rather than expansion. Allthough I would put that down to excessive charges.

As allways just my useless opinion.

[Kevin Wood]

I have never really understood the need for the UK to be a main european hub for flights. I mean what do we get out of it ? I cannot see someone from America or China flying to UK and then on to somwhere in europe. It does not make sense for the traveller.

Precisely. Why should we suffer the noise and aggro of dozens of flights whose only purpose appears to be to stuff the coffers of the airlines and airport operators?

Does it really improve the country that much to have people come here for an hour to stare at a departures screen and perhaps have a coffee before effing off again?

If we have a problem with capacity for our own business interests to be served surely it would be better to develop our other airports in more deprived parts of the country to stimulate growth there?

[Nickbat]

I have never really understood the need for the UK to be a main european hub for flights. I mean what do we get out of it ? I cannot see someone from America or China flying to UK and then on to somwhere in europe. It does not make sense for the traveller.

I do agree with expanding existing airports rather than building a new folly. Someone mentioned Bournemoth and Southampton airports. Both of these I use the most. Sadly Southampton cannot really be expanded easily as it is right next to hill with many many houses on it. The only other way would be to put in a runway the other way, but I think both M3 and M27 are in the way. Yes problems that can be overcome but at what cost. Bournemouth would easily be expandible as it has a huge runway (Concorde landed there a few times.

Sadly both Bournemouth and Southampton are actually suffering from contraction rather than expansion. Allthough I would put that down to excessive charges.

As allways just my useless opinion.

Jobs...income...ease for British travellers.

[scimmy_man]

Why do we need all the airports around London anyway?

anyone from the north has to travel south to fly,
why not build a better airport say in lowestoft, and put a good rail link in?
the planes can fly over the sea and not bother anyone.
infact the M11 was supposed to continue north and go over the humber bridge, whats wrong with humberside airport?

[the alarming man]

and one thing boris the div has'nt answered is what happens to HMS montgomery..??...a second world war ship sunk with 2000 tonnes of explosives...cant be raised or blown up.....as if it goes it will cause a very bid tidal wave which knock out the isle of sheppy(which tbh no one will miss)...parts of gravesend,bluewater,and parts of south london....but one thing for sure is this boat is not stable enough to put up with the heavy duty air traffic they are proposing

I was going to mention that but you got there first.. Heads in the sand come to mind, something has to be done about it eventually..

well there was something in the news not that long ago saying monty was breaking up quicker than they expected....that without boris and his silliness

[Gaffers]

I have never really understood the need for the UK to be a main european hub for flights. I mean what do we get out of it ? I cannot see someone from America or China flying to UK and then on to somwhere in europe. It does not make sense for the traveller.

I do agree with expanding existing airports rather than building a new folly. Someone mentioned Bournemoth and Southampton airports. Both of these I use the most. Sadly Southampton cannot really be expanded easily as it is right next to hill with many many houses on it. The only other way would be to put in a runway the other way, but I think both M3 and M27 are in the way. Yes problems that can be overcome but at what cost. Bournemouth would easily be expandible as it has a huge runway (Concorde landed there a few times.

Sadly both Bournemouth and Southampton are actually suffering from contraction rather than expansion. Allthough I would put that down to excessive charges.

As allways just my useless opinion.

Jobs...income...ease for British travellers.

Don't forget the airport tax.  We have one of the highest airport tax rates in the world 

[aaronjb]

Don't worry, it'll never happen.. apparently Red Ken is ahead in the polls to be the next mayor anyway (so we can all look forward to even higher 'congestion charges'..)