Examine the case for converting Finningley airbase into acommercial airport.

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Examine the case for converting Finningley airbase into a commercial airport.

        The former RAF airbase at Finningley near Doncaster has been the proposed site for a commercial airport for many years since its closure in the late nineties.  A proposal has now been put forward by Peel Airports Ltd. which seems likely to be accepted, this is a proposal for a major new international airport which will cause a large increase in the number of jobs available to people who already live in the local area.  I will now attempt to decide if there is a worthy case for converting Finningley airbase into a commercial airbase by looking at the costs and benefits of running a commercial airport at Finningley.  I will do this by researching the proposals made by Peel Airports and information taken from the enquiry and groups of protest and support.

        Peel Holdings PLC is a large company who invests in and develops shopping centres, retail developments and office properties around the world.  The Peel Airports Division also already runs the Liverpool John Lennon Airport and other Peel divisions operate the Manchester Trafford Centre and the Manchester Ship Canal.

        The proposal to convert Finningley comes as many of the countries other major airports area reaching their maximum capacity.  Both Manchester and Heathrow airports have huge numbers of passengers going through them each day and each one is coming very close to the maximum level at which they can operate.  Even following the events of September 11th air travel is said to be set to rise four-fold over the next ten years therefore a new runway at Heathrow airport which is currently working at capacity.  Although there are propositions to build a brand new airport in the area surrounding London, there is opposition to that mainly from the people of the north who feel it is unfair that the south is so well equipped, while the north has very few major international airports.  Finningley is perfectly situated to become a major new airport as it is placed almost exactly half way between London and Edinburgh and the site is already home to the second longest runway in the north.  This would mean it would be possible for the new airport to service both internal and international flights of both cargo and passengers.  The length of the runway also means it is possible to use it for long haul and transatlantic flights to destinations such as the United States of America, the Caribbean and the Far East.

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        The proposed airport offers many benefits to the local community and wider areas.  It will allow over 7,000 jobs to be created with over 5,000 of those being on the airport site itself.  More benefits come from Peel Airport’s proposal to give training and development to people in the area, so that they are able to take jobs at Finningley Airport.  The airport is also promising to help small businesses and enterprise.  The new airport will also create a huge increase in tourism in the area as passengers who find themselves on delayed or cancelled flights have to take rooms ...

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