Airport Expansion

Debate between Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee and Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill

Tuesday 25th February 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill (Lab)]

I cannot say whether a third runway at Heathrow will materially affect the ability of the airport to accept air taxis. There is clearly a limit to what size of aircraft can be landed, not only at the moment but in the future, but we will bear the noble Lord’s suggestion in mind.

[Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee (Non-Afl)]

I know that the Minister is a great supporter of UK connectivity; indeed, I would recommend his report on the same to the House. Given that that is the case, could he confirm that, for some of us, flight is essential?

[Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill (Lab)]

I thank the noble Baroness. She will know that I spent a large portion of lockdown looking at connectivity in the United Kingdom. I entirely agree with her that the economy of Northern Ireland is utterly dependent on good flights to and from London and other places in mainland Britain. One of the opportunities that a third runway would give is better connectivity to Heathrow, the UK’s only hub airport, especially for Northern Ireland and places in Scotland, to make that economy grow, as well as mainland Britain’s economy.

Flight Cancellations

Debate between Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee and Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill

Wednesday 6th November 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee (Non-Afl)]

My Lords, I declare myself a victim of a cancellation on Monday. I was travelling from my home in Fermanagh, the most westerly part of the United Kingdom, at 7.45 am. I received an email at 8.15 am to tell me that my flight at 10.40 am had been cancelled. I was then booked on the 5 pm, which meant that I missed an entire day’s business here in the House of Lords. My question to the Minister is about consumer rights. When I was told the reason for the cancellation, it was “operational challenges”. Surely that is not good enough and surely there should be more clarity around cancellations.

[Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill (Lab)]

The noble Baroness is entirely right that cancellations affect passengers and businesses relying on punctual services and connections and have an impact on confidence. Her particular case in point showed the damage done by short-notice cancellations. I will say only that that is a terrible phrase to use as an excuse, because it does not mean much—although I am familiar with other forms of transport that sometimes, sadly, also use phrases such as that. We will look at speaking to airlines to make sure that they give intelligible reasons for cancellations and delays, and their effect on the rights of passengers.