Olympic fever hits the CAA

OLYMPIC FEVER already seems to be hitting normally conservative bodies including the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and sadly giving attention seeking MPs and the anti-airport lobby yet another opportunity to gain exposure.  The CAA has put out a statement concerning London 2012.  "As the UK's specialist aviation regulator one of our roles is to manage the UK's airspace.  We have therefore started to gauge the demand that will be placed on the system by the extra flights associated with the London Olympics and together with Government and stakeholders we are developing a number of options to help safely meet that capacity demand.  This is similar to work undertaken by every other nation hosting such a major event.  This work is still at an early stage and no decisions have been made.  Any decision on changes to airport night noise regimes would be taken by the Government rather than the CAA."  Readers will appreciate that extra scheduled services are highly unlikely due to operational reasons and lack of spare capacity.  The cost of opening up Heathrow for a series of night flights is horrendous and any flights would also have to work in with the airport at the other end.  It is virtually a non-starter.  Business jets and private aircraft will be using regional airfield facilities 24/7 during the games. www.caa.co.uk

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