06/07/2011 | C. Martin
The Government has announced new moves to minimise flight disruptions and delays during London 2012 by streamlining operations throughout the busy airspace in the south east of England.
Flight services are expected to peak around the time of the Olympic Games and airports in the South East are being equipped to handle the additional capacity.
As part of the new measures, private pilots will be required to secure take-off and landing slots in advance at a number of airports - ranging from bigger ones like Birmingham to small sites such as White Waltham Airfield.
Travellers taking chartered jets for business trips or luxury holidays will have a hassle-free journey if the bookings are made in advance.
Pleasure flights by light aircraft will also be covered under the new Airports Slot Allocation (Amendment) Regulations, which now extend to 36 destinations besides the key airports of Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and London City where the restrictions are already in place.
Transport secretary Philip Hammond said the aim is to make sure the "available air space capacity over the south east of England will be able to accommodate the maximum possible number of extra flights".
He said in a written parliamentary statement: "All flights operating in controlled airspace and intending to use a co-ordinated airport will need to obtain, and operate in accordance with, pre-booked take-off or landing slots."
Copyright Press Association 2011