We are still letting the plane take the strain

June 25, 2012 - PRLog -- Passengers flying into Heathrow for the London 2012 Games this summer will be greeted by a giant image of heptathlete Jessica Ennis.

The 53m by 75m image of the champion has been painted onto a field by British Airways, one of the Games sponsors.

It took two days and more than 600 litres of red, white and blue weatherproof paint for workers to complete the project which will be on show for five weeks until July 17 and retouched at intervals to keep it fresh.

The message “Welcome to our turf” is bigger than 15 tennis courts and 193 London buses and reflects a confidence not only for The Olympics but also for Britain’s airports.

Despite the green lobby’s concern over many years about emissions and airport expansion the world’s travellers still love flying. The rise of budget airlines serving more and more destinations has added to the boom. It seems we are happy to give up the hot in-flight meal, unlimited hand luggage and last minute booking to get a better deal on more flights.

Both holiday and business travel have been made much easier and more popular by cheaper flights.

Passenger numbers increased at UK airports in 2011 with 219 million people flying last year - 4.1 per cent more than in 2010 according to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

The rise followed three years of falling numbers. Although in 2010's figures were affected by volcanic ash, snow and industrial action.

Heathrow handled a record 69 million passengers – 6 per cent more than in 2010. Luton Airport had a 9 per cent rise, London City was up 8 per cent and Gatwick numbers rose 7 per cent. But Stansted recorded a 3 per cent dip.

Luton Airport is certainly booming. Each year it flies 10 million people to 90 destinations world wide.

A whole infrastructure has also grown up around what started as a local airport with car hire firms, conference venues and hotels in Luton all offering services tailored to travellers’ needs.

Earlier this year airport owners Luton Borough Council had revealed proposals to boost passenger numbers to 18 million per year. Then operator London Luton Airport Operations Limited said 15 million was more realistic.

The combined plans will now allow for a maximum of 18 million passengers, creating about 4,750 jobs.

The plans were put forward after claims the south-east of England would see a shortage of air travel capacity by 2020.

It seems we are all more than happy to let the plane take the strain.

Visit:http://www.ramadaencorelutonairport.co.uk