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Olympics an opportunity for smaller airports

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31 May 2012

Adam Twidell, entrepreneur and CEO of PrivateFly.com writes to the Financial Times regarding competition for airspace between scheduled airlines and private jets during London Olympics 2012. Read Adam Twidell's letter to the Financial Times

Sir, the current debate about competing Olympics airspace between scheduled airlines and private jets ("Scheduled flights get priority for Games") needs clarification.

Despite the closure of London Heathrow to private jet traffic and RAF Northolt closing to all but Heads of State, London is spoilt for choice when it comes to smaller airports - and there are still plenty of available slots for private jet movements around the Olympics. In fact private jet travellers rarely choose to fly in or out of Heathrow at any time of year, with other smaller airports offering a much better experience and often faster ground transfer times.

Certainly as the events get closer, we will see the closest London airports run out of capacity - a London City Airport slot will be harder to come by than a ticket to the men's 100m final. Private jet customers will then move outwards to find a runway slot with Biggin Hill, Luton, Stansted and Farnborough being the next most desirable. When London slots dry up, the regional airports will have plenty of capacity: Oxford, Lydd and Southend will see unprecedented numbers of aircraft movements and will be major corporate jet parking lots.

The Olympics will give smaller airports an ideal opportunity to showcase their benefits. They will become valuable medium-stay parking and hangarage for aircraft that inner London airports cannot accommodate. The business aviation industry is united in urging customers to book early, to ensure both aircraft and slot availability for their desired itinerary. Once slots are allocated at the desired airports, then smaller, regional airports will reap the benefits.

Captain Adam Twidell
St Albans, Herts

Capt Adam Twidell is a former RAF pilot who is now CEO at PrivateFly.com

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