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By Tom Geoghegan BBC News Magazine As hundreds continue their protest against expansion plans at Heathrow Airport, what about the dozens of smaller airports around the UK growing at a faster rate?By Tom Geoghegan BBC News Magazine As hundreds continue their protest against expansion plans at Heathrow Airport, what about the dozens of smaller airports around the UK growing at a faster rate?
Twenty minutes after leaving the town centre, the bus pulls up outside the glass-fronted airport terminal, which inside is airy, spacious and full of natural light.Twenty minutes after leaving the town centre, the bus pulls up outside the glass-fronted airport terminal, which inside is airy, spacious and full of natural light.
Despite it being the height of summer, with flights departing to Paphos, Gdansk and Dublin, the check-in queue has only 10 people and moves quickly.Despite it being the height of summer, with flights departing to Paphos, Gdansk and Dublin, the check-in queue has only 10 people and moves quickly.
From there it's a 50 yard stroll to the escalators, up to the first floor and through security for a coffee before boarding.From there it's a 50 yard stroll to the escalators, up to the first floor and through security for a coffee before boarding.
They're growing up much faster than Heathrow because they can Keith McMullanAviation Economics For recent passengers at Heathrow - criticised for overcrowding, queues and lost baggage - this snapshot from Robin Hood Airport near Doncaster may sound like some sort of utopia.They're growing up much faster than Heathrow because they can Keith McMullanAviation Economics For recent passengers at Heathrow - criticised for overcrowding, queues and lost baggage - this snapshot from Robin Hood Airport near Doncaster may sound like some sort of utopia.
But while Heathrow symbolises how the boom in flying has made the experience less attractive, and has environmental consequences, there is another lesser-known story about the rapid growth in small, regional airports.But while Heathrow symbolises how the boom in flying has made the experience less attractive, and has environmental consequences, there is another lesser-known story about the rapid growth in small, regional airports.
Robin Hood opened in April 2005 and already handles a million passengers a year. Last year Blackpool had a 50% rise to 553,000 but its 25-year masterplan predicts it will serve 4.3 million passengers a year by 2030.Robin Hood opened in April 2005 and already handles a million passengers a year. Last year Blackpool had a 50% rise to 553,000 but its 25-year masterplan predicts it will serve 4.3 million passengers a year by 2030.
In the coming years, growth at regional airports is estimated to be up to 6% a year, considerably higher than at Heathrow, even with a shiny new Terminal 5.In the coming years, growth at regional airports is estimated to be up to 6% a year, considerably higher than at Heathrow, even with a shiny new Terminal 5.
Crowded skies over London"They're growing up much faster than Heathrow because they can and they're growing from a much lower base, like Doncaster Sheffield," says Keith McMullan of Aviation Economics.Crowded skies over London"They're growing up much faster than Heathrow because they can and they're growing from a much lower base, like Doncaster Sheffield," says Keith McMullan of Aviation Economics.
"The growth of the UK regional airports in recent years has been partly driven by low-cost carrier activity, in particular airports competing amongst themselves to offer very attractive airport charges to low-cost carriers like easyJet, Ryanair and Flybe.""The growth of the UK regional airports in recent years has been partly driven by low-cost carrier activity, in particular airports competing amongst themselves to offer very attractive airport charges to low-cost carriers like easyJet, Ryanair and Flybe."
These packages provide the airlines with major incentives for growth, he says, and the custom has mostly been local people going on short-haul holidays. Business travel makes up about a quarter of their business.These packages provide the airlines with major incentives for growth, he says, and the custom has mostly been local people going on short-haul holidays. Business travel makes up about a quarter of their business.
"There's a certain amount of competition between airports like Manchester and Liverpool, Birmingham and East Midlands."There's a certain amount of competition between airports like Manchester and Liverpool, Birmingham and East Midlands.
"You don't find people living in London going to Birmingham Airport, so it's essentially local demand and it's not demand driven by traditional flight carriers who have been, if anything, withdrawing from regional airports.""You don't find people living in London going to Birmingham Airport, so it's essentially local demand and it's not demand driven by traditional flight carriers who have been, if anything, withdrawing from regional airports."
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Most of the airports are privately owned, having been sold off by local authorities. Manchester is a notable exception so its prices are regulated.Most of the airports are privately owned, having been sold off by local authorities. Manchester is a notable exception so its prices are regulated.
SMALLER AIRPORTS BOOMING 1. City of Derry2. Belfast International 3. Aberdeen 4. Wick, Caithness 5. Inverness 6. Blackpool 7. Liverpool 8. Humberside 9. Robin Hood (Doncaster - Sheffield) 10. Nottingham East Midlands 11. Norwich 12. Bristol 13. Exeter 14. Bournemouth 15. London City Selection of airports with less than 6m passengers/year that reported strong growth in 2006 (Source: Civil Aviation Authority) About 10 years ago, the liberalisation of the aviation market meant carriers sprung up offering flights at lower and lower prices. Suddenly people in places like Exeter, which has had an airport for 70 years, could fly to Brest in Brittany, France for £50. SMALLER AIRPORTS BOOMING 1. City of Derry2. Belfast International 3. Aberdeen 4. Wick, Caithness 5. Inverness 6. Blackpool 7. Liverpool 8. Humberside 9. Robin Hood (Doncaster - Sheffield) 10. East Midlands 11. Norwich 12. Bristol 13. Exeter 14. Bournemouth 15. London City Selection of airports with less than 6m passengers/year that reported strong growth in 2006 (Source: Civil Aviation Authority) About 10 years ago, the liberalisation of the aviation market meant carriers sprung up offering flights at lower and lower prices. Suddenly people in places like Exeter, which has had an airport for 70 years, could fly to Brest in Brittany, France for £50.
The government's 2003 White Paper set out its vision for air transport and in response each airport submitted a "masterplan" about how it would cope with soaring passenger numbers.The government's 2003 White Paper set out its vision for air transport and in response each airport submitted a "masterplan" about how it would cope with soaring passenger numbers.
Expansion for some means just getting more check-in desks or car park spaces, which may seem less controversial than a new runway but can spark strong opposition.Expansion for some means just getting more check-in desks or car park spaces, which may seem less controversial than a new runway but can spark strong opposition.
As well as the wider climate change debate, there are issues about noise and air pollution, traffic and flight paths over rural areas. Many of these small airports are only accessible by car.As well as the wider climate change debate, there are issues about noise and air pollution, traffic and flight paths over rural areas. Many of these small airports are only accessible by car.
A new wave of protest groups have been created to resist the expansion, even for those airports that are very small. Flights from Lydd in Kent take only 20 minutes to reach Le Touquet in northern France, but there is only one trip there and back each day in summer.A new wave of protest groups have been created to resist the expansion, even for those airports that are very small. Flights from Lydd in Kent take only 20 minutes to reach Le Touquet in northern France, but there is only one trip there and back each day in summer.
The Lydd Airport Action Group believes plans to extend the runway and build a new terminal to accommodate 500,000 passengers a year will lead to the destruction of Romney Marsh, with few jobs created in return.The Lydd Airport Action Group believes plans to extend the runway and build a new terminal to accommodate 500,000 passengers a year will lead to the destruction of Romney Marsh, with few jobs created in return.
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The Aviation Environment Federation wants all expansion plans to be halted until the impact on climate is dealt with.The Aviation Environment Federation wants all expansion plans to be halted until the impact on climate is dealt with.
CHANGING CLIMATE CO2 emissions from flights leaving UK are nearly 7% of national totalBut impact on global warming is three times larger than production of CO2, due to greenhouses gases such as ozone Policy officer Peter Lockley says although the masterplans have no legal force within the planning process, they are a backdoor way for airports to institutionalise their plans. He adds that the benefits of expansion are exaggerated.CHANGING CLIMATE CO2 emissions from flights leaving UK are nearly 7% of national totalBut impact on global warming is three times larger than production of CO2, due to greenhouses gases such as ozone Policy officer Peter Lockley says although the masterplans have no legal force within the planning process, they are a backdoor way for airports to institutionalise their plans. He adds that the benefits of expansion are exaggerated.
"We acknowledge that there are economic benefits from airports but it doesn't follow that you get economic benefits from expanding them. Better-off families taking two, three or four holidays a year - in what sense is that vital to the UK economy?""We acknowledge that there are economic benefits from airports but it doesn't follow that you get economic benefits from expanding them. Better-off families taking two, three or four holidays a year - in what sense is that vital to the UK economy?"
Passenger demand is artificially stimulated by price, he says, and people are enticed to go to places like Bratislava for £20 simply because they can.Passenger demand is artificially stimulated by price, he says, and people are enticed to go to places like Bratislava for £20 simply because they can.
Heathrow can be chaoticBut Louise Congdon, managing partner of York Aviation, says that as well as providing jobs, regional airports help attract workers.Heathrow can be chaoticBut Louise Congdon, managing partner of York Aviation, says that as well as providing jobs, regional airports help attract workers.
"The level most of them are operating at, the amount of noise and traffic congestion is relatively limited, and most people take the view that on balance the benefits of having an airport nearby outweighs the damage.""The level most of them are operating at, the amount of noise and traffic congestion is relatively limited, and most people take the view that on balance the benefits of having an airport nearby outweighs the damage."
As well as the convenience, an added attraction of going small is that the passenger experience is better than Heathrow.As well as the convenience, an added attraction of going small is that the passenger experience is better than Heathrow.
"Nothing is as bad as BAA's London airports," says Ms Congdon. "Security rules are just the same at every other airport but the perception from airlines is that security queuing is not taking as long and they were quicker off the mark to recruit additional staff. But in defence of BAA, it may be that the labour market away from London is softer.""Nothing is as bad as BAA's London airports," says Ms Congdon. "Security rules are just the same at every other airport but the perception from airlines is that security queuing is not taking as long and they were quicker off the mark to recruit additional staff. But in defence of BAA, it may be that the labour market away from London is softer."
But with passenger numbers expected to rise 150% by 2030, the relative tranquillity of smaller airports may not last long.But with passenger numbers expected to rise 150% by 2030, the relative tranquillity of smaller airports may not last long.

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Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
In response to some of the comments - actually it can be cheaper to fly into regional airports. For example flights from Newark NJ to Bristol or Birmingham are about $100 LESS than flights to Heathrow. The main downside is that there's only 1 flight a day to choose from. But if I'm going to the west of UK, I definitely prefer to fly into those regional airports....Sonya , Princeton USAIn response to some of the comments - actually it can be cheaper to fly into regional airports. For example flights from Newark NJ to Bristol or Birmingham are about $100 LESS than flights to Heathrow. The main downside is that there's only 1 flight a day to choose from. But if I'm going to the west of UK, I definitely prefer to fly into those regional airports....Sonya , Princeton USA
Travelling from smaller airports is always my first choice but unless Robin Hood airport realises it is the customer who matters then I shall always fly from elsewhere. They totally ruined my short break in the sun last year when I was knackered and worn out and needed to decompress. Their website travel times were way out and I missed them closing the gates by five minutes. The plane did not leave for another 45 mins but they refused to open up again or apologise. They had all the bad attitude of Heathrow. Shame - it could be a smashing little airport but give me Humberside any time!Karl, SheffieldTravelling from smaller airports is always my first choice but unless Robin Hood airport realises it is the customer who matters then I shall always fly from elsewhere. They totally ruined my short break in the sun last year when I was knackered and worn out and needed to decompress. Their website travel times were way out and I missed them closing the gates by five minutes. The plane did not leave for another 45 mins but they refused to open up again or apologise. They had all the bad attitude of Heathrow. Shame - it could be a smashing little airport but give me Humberside any time!Karl, Sheffield
We're very lucky here in Yorkshire. We have an excellent airport in Leeds/Bradford with a wide array of good value short haul flights, we have the new Robin Hood nearby and for long haul we have Manchester, despite being a city away, still only 1 hour's journey (quicker for us to get to I suspect than Heathrow is for most Londoners!) I simply refuse to fly from Heathrow or Gatwick and if I need to change, I'll go via Schipol.Julian, LeedsWe're very lucky here in Yorkshire. We have an excellent airport in Leeds/Bradford with a wide array of good value short haul flights, we have the new Robin Hood nearby and for long haul we have Manchester, despite being a city away, still only 1 hour's journey (quicker for us to get to I suspect than Heathrow is for most Londoners!) I simply refuse to fly from Heathrow or Gatwick and if I need to change, I'll go via Schipol.Julian, Leeds
I can't really afford to fly as I'm on a shoe-string budget. However, in my experience, the smaller airport wins hands-down as they are supplied by the smaller airlines which really do deliver more for better value. Heathrow is chaotic to say the least.Oliver, Blacon, UKI can't really afford to fly as I'm on a shoe-string budget. However, in my experience, the smaller airport wins hands-down as they are supplied by the smaller airlines which really do deliver more for better value. Heathrow is chaotic to say the least.Oliver, Blacon, UK
Living in Folkestone with a need to travel fairly frequently to Italy (various destinations)I am forced to use Gatwick, Stansted and Luton. The time taken to travel to/from these airports is often far greater than the flight times! I really welcome the idea of regional airports in the south-east - particularly Lydd and Manston. I may be selfish in this, but it means one less person in the queue ahead of you!Michael, Folkestone, KentLiving in Folkestone with a need to travel fairly frequently to Italy (various destinations)I am forced to use Gatwick, Stansted and Luton. The time taken to travel to/from these airports is often far greater than the flight times! I really welcome the idea of regional airports in the south-east - particularly Lydd and Manston. I may be selfish in this, but it means one less person in the queue ahead of you!Michael, Folkestone, Kent
One should remember that if a £20 price tag encourages us to go to Bratislava just because we can, then that's a good thing! It's only as we get out and see the world with our own eyes, do we realise it's worth saving.Chris, New York, USAOne should remember that if a £20 price tag encourages us to go to Bratislava just because we can, then that's a good thing! It's only as we get out and see the world with our own eyes, do we realise it's worth saving.Chris, New York, USA
Unless I have a long haul flight, I won't go anywhere near Heathrow, Gatwick etc. I now take all my holiday flights from Bournemouth, only a 15-minute drive from my doorstep. Okay, you can argue the choice is limited and admittedly you pay £100 or so more for the pleasure of using your local airport, but the benefits in my eyes are the amount of time it saves, smaller queues and shorter flight times. The real bonus is upon returning home, if I fly back from Dublin, I know that within 20 minutes of the wheels touching down, I will be walking through my front door, maybe 40 minutes if I return from elsewhere and I have to wait for baggage to clear. The security checks at Bournemouth are as thorough as the major airports but it is so more a less crowded stress free environment. By the way, I have lived under the flight path of Bournemouth Airport for the last six years, I can honestly say I have not noticed any increase in air traffic as their business has increased.Peter Groves, Corfe Mullen, Dorset, England.Unless I have a long haul flight, I won't go anywhere near Heathrow, Gatwick etc. I now take all my holiday flights from Bournemouth, only a 15-minute drive from my doorstep. Okay, you can argue the choice is limited and admittedly you pay £100 or so more for the pleasure of using your local airport, but the benefits in my eyes are the amount of time it saves, smaller queues and shorter flight times. The real bonus is upon returning home, if I fly back from Dublin, I know that within 20 minutes of the wheels touching down, I will be walking through my front door, maybe 40 minutes if I return from elsewhere and I have to wait for baggage to clear. The security checks at Bournemouth are as thorough as the major airports but it is so more a less crowded stress free environment. By the way, I have lived under the flight path of Bournemouth Airport for the last six years, I can honestly say I have not noticed any increase in air traffic as their business has increased.Peter Groves, Corfe Mullen, Dorset, England.
I lived in Liverpool for three years and never flown before. Even as a student, the cheap prices on offer and the lack of waiting meant that I was regularly hopping to and from European destinations for odd weekends here and there. I recently flew from Heathrow, and it was a nightmare. Never again!Rhys, Colwyn Bay, North WalesI lived in Liverpool for three years and never flown before. Even as a student, the cheap prices on offer and the lack of waiting meant that I was regularly hopping to and from European destinations for odd weekends here and there. I recently flew from Heathrow, and it was a nightmare. Never again!Rhys, Colwyn Bay, North Wales
As long as the market is distorted by airlines being exempt from paying fuel taxes to reflect the pollution they produce, the demand for flights will increase as people see it as cheaper and easier than rail and car travel.Jo, ReadingAs long as the market is distorted by airlines being exempt from paying fuel taxes to reflect the pollution they produce, the demand for flights will increase as people see it as cheaper and easier than rail and car travel.Jo, Reading
This is all very well for short haul flights but for long haul, Heathrow continues to be unbeatable. Flights to SE Asia, South Africa, the US or Australasia often tend to be up to £100 cheaper flying out of Heathrow than Birmingham or Manchester. I live in Birmingham and I regularly travel down to Heathrow for a flight. It's completely crazy, but that's the madness of airline economics at present.Alex, Birmingham, UKThis is all very well for short haul flights but for long haul, Heathrow continues to be unbeatable. Flights to SE Asia, South Africa, the US or Australasia often tend to be up to £100 cheaper flying out of Heathrow than Birmingham or Manchester. I live in Birmingham and I regularly travel down to Heathrow for a flight. It's completely crazy, but that's the madness of airline economics at present.Alex, Birmingham, UK
Flying from East Midlands is a far less painful experience than from Heathrow. But, why can't we adopt what they do in other countries, and do the hand security screening at the plane gates instead of prior to duty free? I flew from Amsterdam Schiphol a few weeks ago, and having the security at the gates made for a far, far quicker and less painful experience all around. The queues at passport control when I arrived at Heathrow were another matter though....Ben, Oxford, UKFlying from East Midlands is a far less painful experience than from Heathrow. But, why can't we adopt what they do in other countries, and do the hand security screening at the plane gates instead of prior to duty free? I flew from Amsterdam Schiphol a few weeks ago, and having the security at the gates made for a far, far quicker and less painful experience all around. The queues at passport control when I arrived at Heathrow were another matter though....Ben, Oxford, UK
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