Gatwick Airport has received approval for a second runway, which could increase the airport’s capacity by 100 000 flights a year by the late 2030s.
The £2,2bn (R51,9bn) privately financed plan will involve moving the current northern runway as well as extending the size of the terminals.
Local campaigners and environmental groups are opposing the expansion due to the impact on surface transport, noise, housing provision and wastewater treatment, according to The Guardian. However, the airport says it has conducted thorough assessments of those issues.
Air France expands in-flight Starlink
Air France has committed to equipping 30% of its fleet with Starlink Wi-Fi by the end of this year, and the remainder of its fleet by the end of 2026.
The airline has rolled out the technology on two of its Embraer 190s and on two Airbus A220s. It is finalising the installation of the in-flight Wi-Fi on its A350s, to introduce the service on its long-haul network.
The service is free in all cabins and is accessible via travellers’ Flying Blue accounts. It can be accessed via smartphones, tablets and laptops, and supports connecting multiple devices simultaneously.
FAA fast-tracks eVTOL services
The US Federal Aviation Authority launched a programme on September 15 to fast-track the introduction of electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL).
The programme will facilitate public-private partnerships between state and city governments and electric air taxi companies to form new regulations for operating the aircraft.
Projects under the programme will test both piloted and unmanned eVTOL aircraft across a range of operations, from short-range air taxis to long-range fixed-wing flights.
Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation are set to join the new programme.
Premium Plaza reopens LHR lounge
Following a five-year closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Premium Plaza is reopening its refurbished Terminal 3 London Heathrow arrival lounge.
The lounge’s amenities include workspaces, high-speed Wi-Fi, continental breakfasts and light lunches and seven shower rooms.
Entry costs £22 (R515) for a 30-minute shower session, rising to £36 (R840) for full use of the lounge for two hours and £60 (R1 400) for four hours.
