Ryanair throws stampy feet fit - again

This time, it's complaining that BAA fees mean it'll have to ground seven of its Stansted fleet over the summer.

BAA suggests its poor organisation is a national emergency

BAA has apparently lost control of Heathrow to such an extent, it's pushing the Civil Aviation Authority to treat the opening of Terminal 5 in the same way it would a "terrorist attack":

Heathrow is at risk of further significant disruption to airline and passenger services following the opening of Terminal 5 in March next year believes BAA, the company that owns London’s airports.

BAA’s concern prompted the airport operator to ask its regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority, to consider suspending a penalty regime relating to service quality that requires BAA to pay rebates to airlines if the airport fails to meet certain service quality standards. A BAA spokesman said that it would be an exceptional suspension, analagous to “what happened after a terrorist attack”.

If a company can't even open up a new facility without causing disruption on such a grand scale, there are two conclusions. First, there are too many flights using Heathrow. Second, it's time to ask if BAA should be allowed to continue to run an important part of the UK's infrastructure.

Curious times in the airline industry

The Chief Executive at Heathrow has quit, just a few days after telling the Guardian the airport was 'bursting at the seams'. The departure seems a little, shall we say, rushed.

Meanwhile, British Airways' chairman has criticised the current 'one piece of handluggage' rule, which was introduced last year in response to the need to make John Reid seem decisive:

"We recognise that security is the top issue for passengers, given the current threat from terrorist activity. But to be effective, security has to be credible. Current UK security requirements are no longer credible," he told shareholders at the company's annual meeting.

Mr Broughton said the one bag rule was not applied elsewhere in Europe or in the US, undermining its security credentials. But it irritated passengers and stretched Heathrow's creaking baggage handling capability, causing conveyor belt breakdowns, which in turn meant baggage being delayed. The rule "makes London an unattractive place, particularly for transit passengers. It needs to be changed as soon as possible."