Info about London Airports

Biggin Hill has been subject to restrictions imposed by the licence. They have been trying to get support for an increase in usage.
There was an attempt to start a commercial service from Biggin to Blackpool
a year or so ago, but it was stopped after objections. Another problem for Biggin is that traffic using its ILS has to be coordinated with traffic to/from London City.
If a airfield wants to change its licence it has to put in an application. This is then subjected to ‘consulations with interested parties’ Local councils, airfield users, neighbours (including NIMBYs) If there is serious disagreement, a public inquiry may be ordered by the government.
mmitch.

It is prohibited (At Farnborough) based on the liscence the airport was given to operate. Farnborough was an RAF airport until very recently, so didn’t have a commercial liscence. When it got bought by TAG Aviation they had to apply for a liscence from, I assume the CAA, with the involvement of the Local Council. I know in our case it was the Local Council with the backing of the NIMBYs that imposed size restrictions, and opening hour restrictions.
I am not sure if this is the case at Biggin Hill however?

But who forbids operations in private Airports like Biggin Hill and Farnborough?. Goverment?, Local councils?. I still think Biggin Hill has a big potential since it´s the closest to the city centre.

Farnborough is in a very similar situation to Biggin Hill, it is not allowed to have any scheduled flights,only private charters, and there is a size restriction,nothing bigger than a 737-800 is allowed in (Outside of the airshow). That doesn’t mean we don’t get scheduled carriers in though, Flightline, TNT, Enimex, ScotAir, KLM Exel, Flightline and all sorts come in offering private charter flights. I think Farnborough is now quite a lot busier than Biggin in terms of Biz Jets (Although someway behind Luton)

I think expansion at LHR (terminal capacity and one new runway), STN (new runways and terminal capacity) and LGW (terminal capacity and one new runway if planning permission is obtained) would be the best solution. Possibly expansion at Luton may also be on the cards. Building new airports is expensive and doesn’t necessarily solve the problems at the existing ones. Lydd and Manston are over 75 miles from London (in comparison BHX is only about 110 miles away!!) so the likelihood of attracting passengers given the poor transport infrastructure to both airports is questionable. Airlines have been reluctant to move away from LHR, LGW, STN and LTN so I doubt the construction of new airports (e.g. Cliffe) would have a substantial impact. That said, Doncaster/Sheffield Robin Hood Int’l has managed to attract Thomsonfly.com and the airport isn’t even operational yet.

This link will take you to the Luton Spotters website.
http://www.lutonspotters.co.uk/
Manston’s website is being redesigned but these links will help. EUJET is starting scheduled flights from there this year.
http://www.london-manston.com/
London City is restricted by planning agreements on operating hours and type of (quiet) aircraft. Official website at :- http://www.londoncityairport.com/
Biggin Hill is likewise restricted to GA aviation and not scheduled commercial flights. It can be used for diversions and was when LCY was briefly closed after 9/11.
Official website at:- http://www.bigginhillairport.com/home.htm
Anywhere in the crowded South East of England is going to produce a lot of objections to any increase in flights or operating hours.
mmitch.