APPENDIX 32
Memorandum submitted by British Airways
plc
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 This memorandum is submitted in response
to the Transport Select Committee's inquiry into the current state
of plans to provide appropriate transport for the 2012 Olympics
in London.
1.2 British Airways is proud to be a Premier
Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Games, the leading category
of corporate support. This continues a long-standing tradition
of British Airways' support for major UK and national sporting
events at home and abroad.
1.3 This memorandum focuses on opportunities
to boost capacity at Heathrow Airport in time for the 2012 Games
and on improvements that can be made to surface access to and
from the airport in order to facilitate the expected increase
in demand from competitors and visitors to the games.
2. AIR TRAFFIC
FORECASTS IN
THE SOUTHEAST
TO 2012 AND
BEYOND
2.1 In our submission to the Aviation White
Paper we agreed with government forecasts of 3.5% average annual
growth in the UK market between now and 2030. Average growth in
the south-east is expected to be slightly lower over the period
at 3.2%. However, we anticipate a sharp spike in demand during
the Olympics Games year.
2.2 We expect UK long-haul traffic into
and out of the UK to grow more quickly than short-haul at around
4% per annum. Heathrow today caters for 80% of long-haul travel
at the London airports and will play a pivotal role in providing
access to the Games for the majority of international competitor
nations and visitors.
2.3 Although the need for growth in infrastructure
to support future demand was recognised in the White Paper and
the need for two additional runways in the south-east highlighted,
these can not be delivered in time for the Olympics in 2012.
2.4 Nevertheless, there are opportunities,
particularly at Heathrow, to provide much needed additional capacity
in time for the start of the Olympic Games. These include Terminal
5, "Mixed Mode" operations and surface access improvements.
3. HEATHROW TERMINAL
5
3.1 The first and main phase of Terminal
5 at Heathrow is expected to open as planned in March 2008. This
initial stage will see British Airways bring together its Heathrow
operation in Terminal 5, improving operational efficiency and
providing enhanced levels of customer service for its passengers.
Phase 2 is scheduled for completion in 2011.
3.2 Terminal 5 will eventually enable Heathrow
to increase passenger capacity from 67.7 million per annum today,
to 90 million following the opening of the final phase in 2011.
Terminal 5 will not, however, provide for more flights.
3.3 It is vital for Heathrow Airport, British
Airways and London itself that all phases of the Terminal 5 project
are completed on schedule by 2011 in time for the Olympics.
4. MIXED MODE
OPERATIONS AT
HEATHROW
4.1 Heathrow has operated at close to full
capacity for a number of years already and demand for services,
especially at peak hours, outstrips supply. Currently, the average
number of flights at Heathrow is 469,560 per annum, close to the
maximum movement limit of 480,000 flights.
4.2 Unlike almost every other international
airport, Heathrow's two parallel runways operate under a procedure
known as "segregated mode". This means that the two
existing runways are used separately for arrivals and departures
and cannot be used for simultaneous take-offs and landings. This
is an inefficient use of existing resources at what is the busiest
international airport in the world.
4.3 The introduction of "Mixed Mode"
operations at Heathrow, whereby each runway is used for a mixture
of take offs and landings, can be achieved without the need for
any major infrastructure changes. It can also be operational in
time for the London Olympics in 2012. It would allow for a more
efficient use of the existing two runways and provide the following
benefits:
— An improvement in operational performance,
reducing delays especially at peak periods in the morning and
afternoon;
— A reduction in aircraft stacking,
thus reducing fuel burn and emissions;
— An increase in the number of slots
available of up to 15%, enabling more international visitors and
competitors to access London for the Games
— Improved environmental performance,
both in the air and on the ground.
5. SURFACE ACCESS
5.1 British Airways supports the extension
of the "Heathrow Express" and the Piccadilly Line Underground
to serve Terminal 5, facilitating improved surface access and
encouraging greater use of public transport between central London
and Heathrow.
5.2 British Airways strongly supports the
"AirTrack" rail project. This innovative project will
provide train services to Terminal 5 from Waterloo, Reading and
Guildford, with connections across the South and South East of
England. We urge the relevant authorities to begin construction
of the AirTrack link as soon as possible to reduce the number
of car journeys to Heathrow Airport, improve local air quality
and provide much-needed public transport access from the significant
local catchment areas south and west of Heathrow key parts of
south and south-west London.
5.3 AirTrack will be built mainly on a restored
old track bed, reducing the need for new land take. There is sufficient
time to build it in readiness for the Olympic Games in 2012. In
addition to the links highlighted above, it will provide a fast
route from Heathrow Airport to Waterloo, for Jubilee Line connections
to the east London Olympic venues, avoiding central London.
6. CONCLUSION
6.1 The opening of the final phase of Terminal
5 in 2011 will boost the passenger capacity of Heathrow Airport
and will act as a showcase for UK aviation and general transport
infrastructure to visitors to the Olympic Games.
6.2 The introduction of "Mixed Mode"
operations at Heathrow will reduce congestion and delays, reduce
emissions and fuel consumption, and provide additional aircraft
movements to meet increased demand in time for the Olympics in
2012.
6.3 The "AirTrack" rail scheme
and other surface access improvements can be delivered in time
for 2012.
12 September 2005
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