Posted on 06/30/2010 5:27:21 AM PDT by Willie Green
The new coalition government's transport secretary has told the Financial Times that domestic flights will become a "thing of the past."
In an interview discussing the government's aviation strategy, Philip Hammond said hi-speed intercity trains will be key to quelling demand for domestic and short-haul European flights.
The government has already blocked plans for new runways at the country's three largest airports, Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted, and instead wants to focus on developing a high-speed rail network between London, northern England and Scotland.
The airlines are hardly panicking yet though, noting that it takes decades to build such rail networks.
Leading domestic carrier Flybe pointing out that UK domestic flights will be unaffected by the "limited, London-centric nature" of any future high-speed rail investment.
A Flybe statement added: "There is a very strong argument that aviation which serves regions like the West Midlands and the north-west will actually see an increase in demand as a result of high speed rail."
British Airways also dismissed the idea that domestic flights would end. A BA spokesman said: "There will still be demand from people in the UK regions who want to fly into the hub airport of Heathrow, particularly if the high speed rail links don't link directly to Heathrow."
No-frills giant Ryanair said air passengers would not switch to rail in the UK because the trains are so slow and so expensive.
Proving yet again the only way passenger rail (high speed or otherwise) can survive is through direct interference in the market by the government.
Excellent observation!
Can’t wait to see the first London to New York train.
Right you are. Afterall, the government won’t attain the statistics it seeks if it allows air travel to expand with demand.
By keeping air travel in a cage, they’ll get the convenience and cost figures they need to bash it.
Blimps are the wave of the future in luxury passenger air travel. LOL
What next? Unsinkable ships?
A thought occurs to me. Let’s say that we do the same thing here in the U.S. What flights would be considered non-regional? Would it be based on time in the air or on ground distance by road?
Also what about the TSA? Wouldn’t they by necessity have to set up shop in “every” train station in the U.S. Imagine the jobs created by that..... Imagine the headaches of casual travelers.
Proving yet again the only way passenger rail (high speed or otherwise) can survive is through direct interference in the market by the government.
That could be said about any mode of transportation in our industrialized society.
If not for direct government involvement with our transportation infrastructure, we'd still be traveling along deeply rutted mud roads in horse drawn wagons.
Why do you think our Founders wisely authorized congress to fund "post roads", a term that has also included all railroads since 1838?
or maybe our Govt should just take planes around this country to save money , save the planet and go green.
After all it is they who love this green crap.
Blimps are the wave of the future in luxury passenger air travel. LOL
At least the blimps won't drop out of the sky when they get covered by volcanic ash.
OTOH, the ash will interfere with the solar cells, and the balloon will have to float wherever the wind decides to blow them.
It could make for a very adventurous trip!
or maybe our Govt should just take planes around this country to save money
Hey... you just gave me a great idea for a new tagline!!!
But how will Zero get home to Kenya ? Spread his legs and fly ?
For the Proles anyway. Of course their Socialist Masters will be able to fly anywhere they like anytime they like.
L
But how will Zero get home to Kenya ? Spread his legs and fly ?
POTUS shouldn't need to travel anywhere in the Silicon Age.
He IS our first "Blackberry President", isn't he????
Automate the task and downsize the staff!!!
Send the WH drones to Kenya and Obummer can watch it in real-time on the tube... LCD HDTV using the dish.
When you live on a little island, why even bother with trains ? Just bike wherever you want to go. London to Nottingham ? I am sure it’s only a few days by bike. A little longer on foot...
Obama's on it!!!
In all seriousness, (I haven't taken a train in decades - Amtrak doesn't go anywhere that I want to!), I have read that TSA has already established screening areas for train passengers. I don't know if that is true or not, though.
Yes, I do believe that TSA is at the Amtrak stations right now. The thing is though there aren’t many Amtrak stations Nationwide.
As a matter of trivial interest, the current record time by solo bicycle for the 'end-to-end' route - the 874 miles from Land's End in the far south-west of Britain to John o'Groats in the far north-east - is 1 day 20 hours 4 minutes 20 seconds (Gethin Butler in 2001).
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