UK Airports Set To Get Long Awaited Revamp

Whether you travel frequently through corporate travel or just jet off once a year on holiday, there is no denying that everyone finds travel much more enjoyable when they are going from a well kept airport. Not only does the general cleanliness affect people’s travels but the facilities available such as bars, restaurants, shops and waiting areas can make a massive difference to how enjoyable someone’s flight can be.

 

Although the bulk of UK airports are looked after very well and have enough to keep holiday makers and those on corporate travel entertained, they have long been waiting for the funds to revamp themselves. There has recently been good news for Heathrow and Stanstead Airports as BAA has secured £7.65 billion for the two airports to get redeveloped.

 

Amongst the changes that are expected to take place include the building of Heathrow East which is set to replace Terminals 1 and 2 and the expansion of Stanstead Airport. This is great news for holiday makers and those on corporate travel because it means that there will be more flights and more facilities which will make flying a lot more enjoyable for everyone.

 

There have also recently been talks about raising more funds for another loan so that Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Southampton Airports can all be revamped. These things take a lot of time to get the funding, the building plans approved and the work to actually get completed so it is unlikely that these changes will be made anytime soon.

 

However, once the various airports around the UK have been refurbished then everyone from those on corporate travel to those going on holiday are likely to see the benefits. The general day to day operation of all the airports is likely to improve as well as the facilities will be better. This hopefully means that people will be able to check in and get onto their flights as quickly and easily as possible. This is particularly great news for those who do a lot of corporate travel because no doubt they get sick of being in and out of airports all the time.

 

With great new facilities though and easy check in systems even people who do a lot of corporate travel will find the process so easy that they won’t mind doing this. As well as this it also means that holiday makers can get their journey off to a better start as they won’t have to deal with any hassles when it comes to checking in at the airport.  

Southampton Airport Decline Air Ambulance

Southampton Airport bosses have refused to allow Hampshire’s very own air ambulance to live at the airport. They have declined the offer for the state-of-the-art helicopter to be stationed there because they say that there is no room.

This refusal means that the aircraft will have to be based at Thruxton which is on the northern edge of the county. This means that flying times will be longer when responding to critically ill patients in the south of the country. 

If the aircraft was to be based in Southampton it could reach local areas in a matter of minutes. However, it will now take the helicopter 12 minutes to reach Southampton, 10 minutes to get to Winchester and 17 minutes to get to Lyminton.

The air ambulance is the first that the county has ever had and the money was raised through fundraising efforts of Hampshire residents. It will have some of the most advanced medical equipment on board that isn’t even available in ambulances yet.

The snub has upset and caused a lot of criticism from airport campaigners who feel that profits are being put before people. Many feel that the commercial aspect has got in the way of humanity and that profit is put before people because it’s a big business.

Southampton Airport have said that they are very supportive of the excellent work provided by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance helicopter but purely have not got the room to keep it there. As well as this they have said that the unused eastern side of its land had to be ruled out because it has no road or facilities. They also say that they regularly welcome visiting medical flights and emergency services and air ambulances.

Southampton Airport has said that they have taken the request for the air ambulance to be based at the airport into consideration in their long-term planning. However, they have said that they can’t make any commitments in the short-term.

Image belongs to: Carla Saliba. Taken from: http://www.flickr.com