Open Skies bad for the North East

Open Skies bad for the North East. Slots at Heathrow which currently serve regional airports could switch to US Flights to maximise profit and leave regions without regular links to the capital.

[ClickPress, Mon Mar 26 2007] UKIP Councillor Stephen Allison today expressed his worries that the North East will be disadvantaged by the recent “Open Skies” agreement between the EU and the USA.

Councillor Allison’s concerns are due to the possibility that landing slots at Heathrow currently used by domestic airlines to service regional airports such as Newcastle and Durham Tees Valley could be switched to US services to generate higher revenues.

Councillor Allison denounced the agreement as another example of New Labour Spin and their ability to produce sound bites that trumpet a success but when looked at in detail are not quite such a good deal.

“Just consider the Chancellor’s last budget” said Councillor Allison, “it was a perfect example a spin hiding the real implication. A 2p cut in basic rate was the sound bite; the sting in the tail was the abolition of the 10p band. Gordon Brown gave with one hand but took back even more with the other, leaving ordinary people worse off”.

Councillor Allison continued “The open skies announcement is great news to the transatlantic business traveller but potentially at the expense of regional airports and the passengers who use them. The European Union and Tony Blair’s New Labour government once again show their real priorities are on the side of big business. The interests of people in regions like the North East come well down the scale”.

In conclusion Councillor Allison Said “It is accepted that a strong regional airport with good links to the rest of the world is a big plus point for any region. The open skies agreement could be a disaster for airports like Newcastle and Durham Tees Valley as the carriers will chase transatlantic profits ahead of providing invaluable regional services”.

Stephen Allison
UKIP Councillor
St.Hilda Ward
Hartlepool Unitary Authority

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