A report on aviation from the House of Commons Transport Committee says high speed rail links to major British airports are 'imperative'. However, it warns that new high speed lines cannot completely replace domestic flights in the UK.

The new report, The Future of Aviation, acknowledges that High Speed rail is essential, and cites Heathrow as a major objective in a future network. But it also concedes that new High Speed rail routes are unlikely to replace east-west flights, and neither will they replace air links to remote areas, such as the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

The Committee has also raised questions about the taxation of aviation, although it admitted that it had been unable to obtain a 'factual account' of the position. However, it says that the level of Air Passenger Duty should "be set according to the Government’s revenue needs, taking careful account of the economic importance of the aviation industry".

Meanwhile, air passengers may soon be able to check in for their flights aboard Heathrow Express trains. Plans have been revealed to restore check in facilities at Paddington station, using automatic machines rather than staffed desks, and the next step will be to allow passengers to check in during their train journeys to the airport. BAA said Delta Air Lines, Iberia and United Airlines are expected to be first, followed by British Airways, Finnair and Virgin Atlantic 'at a later date'. Check in desks at Paddington were scrapped some time ago by British Airways to reduce costs.

Back to News