NoTRAG's new look
In February we changed our website to a very different, newspaper-style format.
With our campaign stepping up a gear in response to the government's decision to push ahead with a third runway, we have included new features such as a NoTRAG opinion page and a letters page. Now you can read what we think and maybe see your own views on our website.
Activists Adopt-a-Resident to beat the bulldozers
Date : Monday 30th March 2009
While police worried about protests disrupting this week's G20 summit, they totally ignored a gathering of activists which could disrupt BAA plans for a third runway.
The headline makers from around Britain had come to Harmondsworth village to launch a scheme to Adopt-a-Resident under threat from the proposed Heathrow expansion.
Should they be needed, activists have pledged to stand together with their adopted residents and fight attempts to remove them from their homes.
A special "Thank you" to the activists
Under colourful old-fashioned bunting in St Mary's Church Hall, members of direct action groups and residents got together over tea and delicious home-made cakes.
As the residents gathered in the packed hall, they were each given a raffle ticket and waited expectantly to be matched with an activist, whose matching raffle ticket would be drawn from a hat.
As John McDonnell MP began drawing the tickets he declared, "Everyone's a winner!" - and it really felt like it.
Residents and activists hugged enthusiastically as they were paired up and eagerly swapped contact details for future get togethers.
After such a successful launch, it seems certain that many more people will want to join this extraordinary alliance.
British Airways cuts unprofitable direct flights to Dhaka
Date : Saturday 28th March 2009
As passenger numbers continue to fall, British Airways has halted its direct flights between the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka and London today because the 34-year-old route was no longer profitable.
The airline suspended the three-times-a-week service as it had not made "a profitable contribution to our business for some time."
BA's first Dhaka to London service started in January 1975, with just one flight a week.
The airline said in November that it intended to suspend the direct service. BA passengers heading for Dhaka will now have to change flights in the Middle East.
Airlines in South Asia have been hit hard by the global economic downturn, with Sri Lanka's national airline this week cutting half its flights to India in a bid to reduce losses.
Global air travel taking a nosedive
Date : Tuesday 24th March 2009
The global fall in demand for air travel is even worse than predicted. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says airlines will make losses of $4.7bn (£3.2bn) in 2009, 88% greater than the body's initial forecast.
In December, IATA said the global air transport industry would make a loss of $2.5bn this year but it has revised its figures after passenger demand deteriorated more than expected. Demand for air cargo is even weaker.
The international airline industry lost $8.5bn last year, more than its initial estimate of $5bn, as the final three months of 2008 saw a sharp fall in first-class and business-class passengers and cargo traffic.
"The state of the airline industry today is grim," said IATA director general Giovanni Bisignani. "Demand has deteriorated much more rapidly with the economic slowdown than could have been anticipated even a few months ago."
Airlines in Europe and Asia are likely to be particularly hard hit, with North American airlines expected to fare better - yet still face increasing loses.
Although Mr Bisignani thinks prospects may improve towards the end of 2009, he commented that "expecting a significant recovery in 2010 would require more optimism than realism."
"High probability" of plane fault repeat
Date : Friday 13th March 2009
Despite a warning of a "high probability" that the fault that caused a Boeing 777 to crash-land at Heathrow could hit other Boeing 777s, the jets continue to fly unmodified.
When BA Flight 38 from Beijing belly-flopped just short of Heathrow's north runway in January 2008, there were rumours that other 777s had suffered sudden loss of engine power.
On this occasion, the jet had suddenly and terrifyingly lost power in both engines as it came in to land over densely populated housing estates.
After an initial investigation, UK's Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) issued an interim report advising pilots of procedures to follow to deal with the most likely cause of the problem, ice in the fuel.
Ten months later, when a Delta Air Lines plane reportedly encountered a similar problem known as an engine rollback, US air accident investigators called for a component to be redesigned.
Yet it could be up to a year before Rolls-Royce have the new fuel/oil heat exchanger (FOHE) ready. It says that ice build-up in commerical "long-cold-high" routes is an industry-wide issue.
On 12th March, the AAIB issued a second interim report and repeated that, during the flight from Beijing, ice may have developed in the fuel pipes.
In the US, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) made a stronger statement. It issued an "urgent safety recommendation", calling for a redesign of the FOHE. Acting NTSB chairman Mark Rosenker said: "With two rollback events occurring within a year, we believe that there is a high probability of something similar happening again."
Neither the AAIB, NTSB nor the European Safety Agency have called for the planes to be grounded.
There are currently 220 Boeing 777s, with Rolls-Royce Trent 800 engines, in operation. The planes are used by 11 airlines. British Airways owns 15.
100 things about those 100 companies
Date : Friday 6th March 2009
100 companies put cash before communities
In September 2008 pro-runway lobby group Future Heathrow printed an advert that claimed "100 companies" supported a third runway at Heathrow.
We could understand why the aviation industry might want a runway, even though it doesn't make economic sense for the country, but why would other companies join this dodgy list?
Our press release at the time gave some explanations. Since then, we have kept our eyes on these companies that consider themselves experts on what's good for Britain. From now on we will be keeping a tally of these snippets, starting with today's breaking news on one of the big banks.
1. Merrill Lynch: In January 2008 this banking giant had unveiled a huge net loss of $7.8bn (£3.9bn) for 2007. It continued to make losses in 2008, and days after supporting the runway it announced it would be bought by Bank of America using federal bailout money.
2. 4th March 2009 - News reports that 10 of Merrill Lynch's highest-earning executives took home $209m at the end of 2008. $3.6m was paid in bonuses in December 2008 when the bank was reporting record losses and just before the bank was bailed out.
3. 6th March 2009 - Merrill Lynch reported "irregularities" in a UK trader's deals. Now being investigated by the FSA.
Do you think Merrill Lynch is in any position to tell Britain what's best for its economy?
New must-see Climate Change movie
If you missed the amazing premiere, look out for nationwide screenings.
New analysis of "Con"sultation shows opposition ignored
Date : Sunday 1st March 2009
Surprise, surprise, public opposition to a third runway at Heathrow was far higher than the government has admitted, according to a Tory analysis of its "con"sultation.
The analysis suggests up to 86% of the people who responded to the government’s call for comments were strongly opposed to the runway. The government, however, said only 37% of those who contributed were clearly opposed.
The analysis shows that the government excluded 43,000 comments received in the form of campaign postcards and petitions - even though they made up 62% of the total comments received.
Justine Greening, shadow minister for London, said: “These figures show that there was overwhelming opposition and the government systematically ignored it.
“They have prioritised the vested interests of the few rather than the many. It proves that however many members of the public had their say, they were never going to be listened to by this government. It had made its mind up already.”
The DfT said: “The decision to support a third runway had already been taken in 2003, so the Heathrow consultation did not explicitly ask people whether they were in favour of a third runway or not.”
NoTRAG Archive - March 2009
View the previous NoTRAG website .......
....... which includes our community pages.
Read who said what and when
Forthcoming Public Meetings and Events
A growing number of campaign groups are organising events to show their opposition airport expansion, particularly at Heathrow. Here's your chance to join us and show the government what you think.
Do BAA finally realise that a third runway is a dead duck?
Date : Saturday 28th March 2009
According to a presentation by the Department for Transport, seen by the Guardian newspaper, BAA is not expected to seek planning permission for a third runway until 2012 - by which time the Labour government should be just a bad memory.
The last possible date for a general election is 3 June 2010 so, if BAA really believes this runway is a moneyspinner, you might expect them to be pumping money into a rushed application to start the planning process.
After all, if the Conservatives win the election they have pledged to block a third runway at Heathrow.
The DfT presentation concedes that the government document that must underpin a planning request for major infrastructure development, a national policy statement, will not be ready until 2011. This policy statement must then undergo public consultation and scrutiny by MPs.
The presentation for civil servants was drafted by the DfT's head of airports strategy, Jonathan Moor. Mr Moor has previously admitted that the government has no plans to help the thousands of people evicted to make way for the runway development saying, "They are BAA's responsibility".
Even if BAA wins planning approval, it will not start constructing a runway until 2013 at the earliest.
It hasn't been forgotten that BAA has to remove residents and destroy vast areas before major construction can begin; In the document the projected date for construction work is placed next to a picture of an eco-protest camp.
"The chances that a third runway will never be built are increasing all the time," said John Stewart of HACAN.
Church Synod opposes Heathrow expansion
Date : Friday 27th March 2009
After examining a detailed report on the impact of Heathrow expansion, the London Diocesan Synod voted to adopt the report which concludes that further expansion should be opposed.
Brian Cuthbertson, Head of Environmental Challenge, was asked by the Diocese to submit a briefing paper for senior staff last November. The Diocesan Bishop's Council adopted its conclusions and resolved that it be presented to the London Synod on 12th March 2009.
The reportwas revised in February to take into account developments in the interim, particularly the government's decision in January to give BAA the go-ahead to submit detailed plans for the third runway and sixth terminal.
Many key points are raised by Mr Cuthbertson, for example: "It does have to be asked, can indefinite expansion ever be sustainable? Will it not always be supported by the same arguments as are deployed now? Does there come a point to draw the line, if so why not now?"
The Synod adopted the report, voting 64 in favour, five against with three abstentions.
The Great Barn in Harmondsworth ....
.... built in the 15th century, survived harsh winters and wars.
Restored in the late 20th century, "for future generations to enjoy". Now under threat.
Heathrow baggage handling condemned in passenger poll
Date : Tuesday 17th March 2009
While BAA continues to concentrate on making Heathrow bigger rather than better, passengers continue to complain about their miserable travel experiences at the airport.
In the latest poll, passengers rated Heathrow as the international airport most likely to damage luggage, have the longest wait for luggage and have the longest passport control queue.
Online travel community WAYN.com surveyed more than 2,250 travellers about passport control, baggage handling, customs and security issues.
Heathrow and JFK in New York were also voted the major international airports where you were most likely to be frisked or have your bags searched. It's another annoying delay but at least you can see a reason for it.
All in all, it makes you wonder why anyone would choose to start and end a trip with a visit to BAA's flagship, Heathrow.
Sipson loses its oldest resident
Date : Monday 9th March 2009
Jack outside his home - NoTRAG posters in his window
NoTRAG was sad to hear that Jack Clark, Sipson's oldest resident, died this morning.
Jack, who celebrated his 97th birthday on 5th February, died suddenly in the home he loved and where he was determined to stay, despite the threat of eviction for a third runway.
This fascinating man with a warm personality had become a favourite with journalists, featuring on television and in the press. Most recently he was the subject of an article in the February edition of Saga magazine. Jack's memories of life in rural Sipson painted a vivid picture of life before the airport.
Our thoughts are with his family.
Runway protester gives Mandelson food for thought
Date : Friday 6th March 2009
Mandelson starts the day with a cup of cold custard
A generous helping of cold green custard hit Business Secretary Lord Mandelson in the face, as he arrived at the launch of the Government's low-carbon economy summit in London.
The protester, Leila Deen, reassured Lord Mandelson that the substance was custard and then gave him some food for thought by reminding him that he had corrupted the government to ensure a third runway at Heathrow, which would destroy any chance of reaching climate change targets.
Leila, was protesting on behalf of environmental group Plane Stupid.
While Lord Mandelson shrugged off the incident as "an adolescent protest", Ms Deen (29) said that although the protest was lighthearted it was intended to raise a serious issue.
Leila told ITV that she had made the protest "with a heavy heart" because the government was not listening to public opinion and had ignored the opposition voiced during the public consultation. "What else can we do?" she asked.
The protester also criticised the collusion between between the government and BAA and commented, "The only thing green about Mandleson is the green slime running through his veins."