Why? It's not like there are a bunch of extra slots to be filled with new flights and even if there were, there aren't a bunch of extra aircraft/crew sitting around to fly extra flights into or out of London.
I'd also argue that as flights are already running pretty high load factors, that the number of passengers passing through the terminals isn't going to be a whole lot different. The only argument I've heard otherwise is that the mix of connecting vs O&D will shift towards O&D, but I'm not sure that will be significant enough to notice.
Mike909 From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2012, 52 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (1 year 4 weeks 10 hours ago) and read 2013 times:
I cannot see traffic at LHR being greatly affected, with the minimal amount of slots available.
I can potentially see an increase in traffic in airports such as LTN. Possible that airlines like EZY could put on some extra flights to ship all the European visitors, as well as potential foreign charter companies flying to airports with more available slots, just for the Olympic period,
CXfirst From Norway, joined Jan 2007, 2754 posts, RR: 1 Reply 3, posted (1 year 4 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 1834 times:
As for air space. Will any parts be closed due to security reasons? Will we see different holding patterns, perhaps planes holding further away from London?
Giancavia From Vatican City, joined Feb 2010, 1271 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (1 year 3 weeks 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 1555 times:
Quoting glbltrvlr (Reply 1): Why? It's not like there are a bunch of extra slots to be filled with new flights and even if there were, there aren't a bunch of extra aircraft/crew sitting around to fly extra flights into or out of London.
Says who.. We are expecting alot of non regular flights into and out of LTN for the Olympics that wouldnt be flying otherwise.
RussianJet From Kazakhstan, joined Jul 2007, 6348 posts, RR: 23 Reply 5, posted (1 year 3 weeks 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 1418 times:
Quoting glbltrvlr (Reply 1): Why? It's not like there are a bunch of extra slots to be filled with new flights
There certainly is some flexibility at some airports. STN and LTN for example are expecting all sorts. As for why, because it's the flippin' Olympic games, which requires mass transport of equipment, teams, officials, and so on. Hardly rocket science to figure that out.
Quoting glbltrvlr (Reply 1): there aren't a bunch of extra aircraft/crew sitting around to fly extra flights into or out of London
Tell that to all the countries sending stuff/people in their own aircraft that we wouldn't normally see.
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We did a small bit about this in April after a BBC report.
Interesting bit from Glom
"They're imposing a massive expansion of airspace over the period with a restricted zone around the South-East encompassing a number of general aviation airfields. Southend is also getting a D class CTR for the time (it's normally uncontrolled airspace).
you don't get a second chance to make a first impression!
glbltrvlr From United States of America, joined Oct 2007, 487 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (1 year 3 weeks 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 1048 times:
Quoting RussianJet (Reply 5): There certainly is some flexibility at some airports. STN and LTN for example are expecting all sorts. As for why, because it's the flippin' Olympic games, which requires mass transport of equipment, teams, officials, and so on. Hardly rocket science to figure that out.
I think you are mixing apples and oranges. The OP asked if there were going to be extra holding in the air due to the Olympics. It's hard to see that happening. The two main airports (LHR and LGW) aren't getting extra slots or relaxation of curfew rules. That means very few extra planes going into those airports, which in turn means very few extra planes on approach that need to be put into holds.
I agree STN and LTN could pick up extra charter and private flights, but the airspace used for those airports isn't going to interfere with LGW and LHR.
Will there be an impact on ground transportation? Again, possibly. If the number of O/D passengers over connecting passengers increases, could rail and bus links to the airports get busier? Probably. Any busier than the usual late summer influx of tourists? Is it going to be Armageddon? I don't think so.
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