+ COMMENT: RAF Northolt - The most valuable building site in London

This newsletter's predecessor, Business Travel News (now published by Head for Points), was in the past a strong advocate for scheduled domestic flights to be allowed into RAF Northolt.  This was objected to by the Air Marshals, and not officially backed by an airline which would have been a major beneficiary.  A ‘fifth column’ was in place. That’s how the military work when it comes to lobbying. 

Time moves on.  One has to be pragmatic.   The Great West Aerodrome, the original name for Heathrow, can certainly for the next few years contain any growth.  The need for a domestic scheduled services airport at Northolt has receded, probably gone for ever.  A third runway for the UK’s major airport is still on the books.  

TNU says close Northolt and incorporate a military enclave at Heathrow.  This is the norm at many major airfields around the world, Aldergrove (Belfast International) being an example in the UK.  

RAF Northolt has very restrictive opening hours and is closed for most of the weekend.  Private flights are allowed in, but are treated as second class, any ‘government’ movements gaining priority.  It is an expensive operation.  Also on the site are ‘office style’ facilities for the Ministry of Defence and government agencies.  These can be moved.

Heathrow would offer the necessary technical and servicing backup at far less cost and has relaxed operational hours.  Of course slots would have to be found, but that has been achieved in the past.

For the most part the (limited) Northolt executive operations would have to go, but backup airfields are plentiful including Biggin Hill, Farnborough, London City, Luton and Stansted.  A Royal Suite is situated near Terminal 4, together with apron space.  This could be utilised.

The government, quite rightly, is engaged on a major housing programme, particularly with 'brownfield' sites.  RAF Northolt covers a massive 476 acres, enough for 6,000 homes and could be worth more than £2bn, a bonus for the Exchequer.

There is a precedent.  RAF Hendon closed in 1987, and is the site of a hugely expanding housing estate with plans for the redevelopment of the now very busy Tube station announced only a few days ago.  The closure worked financially for the Exchequer and Barnet Council.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson is the local Northolt MP.  He opposed any ‘opening up’ as an airfield.  His anti-airport tactics are well known (the Elizabeth Line non-station at London City Airport an example).  His re-election for any new Parliament is questionable assuming he stands. Closing RAF Northolt would be a bonus for him.

For the common good it is sometimes necessary for opponents to gang up together (Coe & Livingston for the 2012 Olympics a fine example). Limited 24-hour VIP and executive flights would be additional revenue for Heathrow Airport. John Holland-Kaye and Boris Johnson might seem an unlikely team, but it could work!

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READERS' COMMENT

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Simon Grigor, United Kingdom

I disagree. Northolt is the base for the 'spooky Islanders' which can be found overflying the city on a regular basis, doing I know not what. A slow and ponderous aircraft, they would present an issue for the Heathrow landing traffic, but they need a secure environment close to London as their base. The area where Northolt is does not need any more housing pressure. The roads around the base are already gridlocked (try using West End Road or Station Approach in South Ruislip, or indeed the A40 itself, on any rush hour, and think to yourself what it would be like if the occupants of another 6,000 houses were out on the streets!