[AMcWhirter]

[quote quote=1086737]but why can’t RAF Northolt be used as an alternative? It was used before LHR was opened[/quote]

Flybe would have answered that question had it been around today.

In 2015 it was negotiating with the MoD to operate domestic flights from Northolt.

[Davethepubsinger]

Thanks Giving up BA. Sorry not to have followed up before. City airport is less than 5000 ft. so Northolt could use similar aircraft as used there. I believe (though do not have figures to support this) that any infrastructure alterations to Northolt would cost less than the proposed third runway.

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PeterCoultas

[ASK1945]

Whilst Northolt is next to a tube line and also next to the A40 dul carriageway road out of London, thus it does have some, but a very limited transport connectivity. However, to be a “third terminal” to LHR it would need a very fast, probably monorail/maglev lightrail link to LHR, to allow for transit traffic.

As “the crow flies” it’s 6 miles from LHR. That’s too far to be of much value, in my opinion.

However, I am opposed to the third runway at LHR (for environmental, costs and social reasons) – so maybe it’s an option that should be re-examined, limited to short haul, point to point or domestic flights only.

[sally_b]

I agree with the OP but must admit I was a supporter of Boris island! Being in the East, I believe it would make some sense (so would a couple more bridges over the river for goodness sake) but the revitalisation of South End airport probably put pay to that idea.

[RoyJones]

The fact that Northolt has a runway and a short one at that, however it is still an active military airfield. There is also a lot of close in housing and no space to upgrade the runway approaches to today’s commercial traffic standards. The runway exists but a public terminal, car parking, and realistic transport links would have to be constructed. There is no bus service along the A40 and the nearest tube is about 2 miles from the current Jet Centre. Transfer to Heathrow could be A40 and M25 both peak hour nightmares, allow at least 45 minutes.

[Author]

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