NEW ABERDEEN TO LONDON CITY ROUTE

Brian Adam, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, has today welcomed the announcement from British Airways that BA CityFlyer will create a new route from September between Aberdeen and London City Airport.

 

Mr Adam wrote to the operators of Aberdeen and London City Airport earlier this month calling for them to look at a new route between the two airports.

 

However Mr Adam has warned that BA must now come clean on what they intend to do with the Aberdeen to Heathrow route following their purchase of BMI.

 

Mr Adam, who has Aberdeen Airport in his constituency, said:

 

“I am delighted that BA will offer this new route, which I called for earlier this month.

 

“It is excellent news for the business community and tourists who will be able to access the centre of London faster than ever before.

 

“Aberdeen and London are two cities driving the economic recovery and it is only right that they should be linked directly to promote further growth.

 

Mr Adam continued:

 

“While this new route is very welcome I do have some concerns that competition is once again being stifled as BA continues to have a monopoly on the London to Heathrow route.

 

“We must now be told what BA intends to do with their Aberdeen to Heathrow flights, where they are going to allocate the slots and whether they told the European Commission of their plans to open up this new route before the purchase of BMI was approved.”

 

 

 

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For more information visit: http://www.aberdeenairport.com/about-us/media-centre/press-releases/new-aberdeen-to-london-city-route-launched

 

 

CALL FOR FRESH LOOK AT ABERDEEN TO LONDON CITY AIRLINE ROUTE

Brian Adam, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, has written to the operators of Aberdeen and London City Airports asking them to take forward discussions with airlines about a new route between the two airports.

 

Following approval of the IAG (owners of British Airways) takeover of BMI, Mr Adam is concerned that there will be a reduction in the number of flights between Aberdeen and London Heathrow. 

 

He believes one way to increase competition and improve choice for passengers would be to create a new link to London City.  Currently Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow all have flights to London City which coincide with the working week. 

 

Mr Adam said:

 

“The Aberdeen to London route is extremely important to the North East as it connects our Energy Companies to the rest of the world.

 

“I fear that the IAG takeover of BMI will lead to fewer flights between the two cities and while Heathrow slots remain in such high demand it may be best to look elsewhere in London.

 

“London City offers a direct route into the financial heart of London where many Oil and Gas companies also have offices.

 

“Many business people would appreciate Aberdeen to London City flights which match the working week as this would take them away from very busy Heathrow and Gatwick airports and provide a fast alternative to using the train.

 

Mr Adam continued:

 

“I know that Aberdeen Airport is keen to encourage any new routes so I have asked them to take forward discussions with airlines about a new route to London City.”

 

RESIDENTS SHOULD HAVE THEIR SAY ON AIRPORT MASTERPLAN

Brian Adam, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, has welcomed today’s publication of Aberdeen Airport’s draft Masterplan.   The plan highlights the airports value to the North East economy and the potential for further economic growth it can generate.

 

Mr Adam, who has Aberdeen Airport in his constituency, said:

 

“Aberdeen Airport is a vital piece of the North East of Scotland’s transport infrastructure.

 

“We have already seen how the investment in a longer runway has generated economic growth for the area and today’s announcement gives an ambitious plan for further expansion.

 

“Whether it is for business or holiday travel, the airport is the gateway to Aberdeen for millions of people a year.

 

“I am in constant dialogue with Derek Provan, the airports Managing Director, and I know that he is keen to see more airlines and more passengers use the site in the future.

 

Mr Adam continued:

 

“Any further development must be done with consideration for those people who live close to the airport and on the nearby flight paths.

 

“I would encourage all local residents and businesses to have their say on the plan before the 30^th of June.

 

“They can make their views known by visiting one of the drop in sessions or through the Aberdeen Airport website.”

 

 

The masterplan can be viewed here: http://www.aberdeenairport.com/about-us/master-plan

SNP DISAPPOINTMENT AT EU BMI DECISION

The SNP has expressed disappointment at the European Union Competition Commissioner's ruling to allow British Airways owner IAG to buy BMI.

The Commission said IAG's concessions to give up 14 daily slots at Heathrow and its pledge to carry connecting passengers to feed its rivals' long-haul flights, were sufficient to address competition concerns.

Brian Adam, SNP MSP for Aberdeen Donside, who gave evidence to the European Commission on the takeover, said:

"This is extremely disappointing news for business and tourism, not only for Aberdeen, but for the whole of Scotland.

"This decision has left British Airways as the sole airline operating every flight between Aberdeen and London Heathrow.

"For my constituents and businesses in Aberdeen this means less flights from the city that connect to international destinations through Heathrow and a higher price to get down to London in the first place.

"Passengers deserve more than a second-class service, which I believe this decision will result in. Lack of competition can only lead to price rises and flights being cut.

"Unfortunately BA have a track record of cutting routes from Aberdeen, and their desire to use as many slots at Heathrow for long-haul flights is well documented.
"This news couldn't have arrived at a worse time, when the Chancellor is hitting the aviation industry hard with a hike in Air Passenger Duty of eight per cent.

"The UK Government must devolve this power to Scotland so we can create an air transport strategy that works for Scottish passengers, businesses and airports."

Responding to the news, Colin Keir, SNP MSP for Edinburgh Western, which includes Scotland's largest airport, said:

"It's disappointing that the European Commission has allowed this deal to go through.

"It can't be healthy for competition and passenger choice to have a monopoly on a major route used by one million passengers each year.

"Scottish businesses and passengers shouldn't be served by only one airline to London Heathrow which remains a vital connecting hub for onward travel.

"We can't have a similar situation to Glasgow when BA became the sole operator of the Heathrow-Glasgow route and passenger fares increased by 34 per cent while flights were cut by half.

"The decision must not result in a poorer quality service for Scottish passengers – 16 slots are vital to Scotland's economy and it's crucial that all 16 remain.

"IAG must now commit to a specific number of services between Edinburgh and Heathrow and give up sufficient slots to give another provider a genuine opportunity to compete.

"The slots currently operated by BMI between Edinburgh and Heathrow should be given to the new entrant."

COUNCIL APPROVAL FOR KINGSWELLS PRIME FOUR DEVELOPMENT

Brian Adam, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, has welcomed the Council’s decision to grant planning permission to the Prime Four development in Kingswells.

 

Mr Adam, the local MSP, said:

 

“Prime Four will deliver high quality office complexes for some of the world’s leading Energy Companies here in Kingswells.

 

“It is good to see that despite global economic concerns business is still strong in Europe’s energy capital.

 

Mr Adam continued:

 

“I also hope that Prime Four will continue their positive approach in working with the local community.

 

“Obviously a development on this scale will have an impact on Kingswells village so I look forward to see what plans they have to develop a community hub for the area in the next phase of this project.”