Royal Mail night flight plans likely to be rejected
13.06.08
Royal Mail bosses are making a controversial bid to introduce night flights at Southampton Airport. They want to divert their regular service into Bournemouth Airport for six months while work is carried out on the runway. However, the proposal has prompted a storm of protest and could be blocked by strict legal controls over night flying at Southampton, which were agreed years ago. The airport itself is also not keen on the idea.
Royal Mail currently operates a mail flight into Bournemouth Airport every weekday at 02:30. However, the airport will not be available for the night flights from July until February 2009 because of resurfacing work on the runway.
A Royal Mail spokesman said: ‘I can confirm that we will be making representations to the council next week about using Southampton Airport for about 6 months while runway work is carried out at Bournemouth Airport.’
However, Southampton Airport have given the mail night flight plan a cool reception. A spokesman said: ‘We do not have any plans to open in the middle of the night for service by Royal Mail. Indeed there is a strict legal agreement in place with Eastleigh Borough Council that would not permit it.’
Eastleigh Council has already told Royal Mail informally that it is unlikely to agree to its request, but Eastleigh Local Area Committee will now formally consider the response next week.
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