Representation by Eastern Airways UK Limited (Eastern Airways UK Limited)
- Date submitted
- 27 October 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
London Gatwick / LGW, as the UK's second largest Airport hub is now so congested and operating at high risk on a single runway that UK regional connections such as Newquay are becoming not only unviable by virtue of attaining and retaining runway slots, but also the pricing structure is prohibitive to regional aircraft operating. The essential domestic regional feed provides London / capital hub connections with good ground transport infrastructure that is essential to the economic prosperity of such regions. The prohibitive position due the single runway means only larger airframes are becoming viable which is also resulting in destination replication with other London hubs dominated by budget carriers and non-UK operators. This is weakening London both as a connection and a destination, already resulting in a capacity reduction around the UK and increasing likelihood of options such as Newquay Cornwall being forced out of Gatwick. Given such a route is a part publically supported PSO, this will only add further subsidy pressures and support to keep Newquay Airport open and a London service operable year-round. a second runway even with operating time restrictions in the same format as Manchester, or a shorter regional service runway up to Airbus A319 size so lower impact and shorter so smaller footprint are suitable options. Gatwick is following the same format as Heathrow ten years ago where multiple regional connections were lost due each landing or take off slot being of such a value only a larger airframe could sustain the costs. If Covid and Brexit have taught us nothing, the value of regional connectivity should have become increasingly valued. We as Eastern Airways support the additional capacity plans at Gatwick.