TEESSIDE AIRPORT NEWS - 26/05/2009

Bosses fight to protect Durham to Heathrow route

Durham Tees Valley Airport is pushing the government to impose a public service obligation (PSO) on routes to London in order to protect the vital link.

It is thought that airport bosses are attempting to secure the route to London Heathrow after Bmi cancelled its operations from the travel hub, the Northern Echo reports.

Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers, who met airport group director Hugh Lang, told the newspaper: "There is no simple solution here. It is important that the option of a PSO is thoroughly considered."

"We have accepted that there can be a case for intervention in the market where particular regions are disadvantaged," she continued.

Transport secretary Geoff Hoon said he was considering the scheme.

In related airport news, a specialist security company is working with Manchester Airport to create a high-speed baggage screening system.

Bosses have spent £2 million on the Rapi-Scan Systems X-ray scanning project, which is currently on trial at the facility, the Manchester Evening News reports.

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