Bizav-Dedicated Airspace Planned for 2012 Olympics

The UK's National Air Traffic Services has proposed a new airspace structure specifically to accommodate business aviation during the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Under the plan, airspace around the UK capital would be segregated between a restricted area and a prohibited area over central London. Operators must soon start applying for slots that will be required for arrivals and departures at airports across southern and eastern England during the Olympics (July 21 to August 15 next year). The UK government has now granted approval for some general aviation airports--including Cambridge, Northolt, Lydd and Southend--to be open around the clock. London-area airport and FBO managers have said they will require non-refundable deposits for slot bookings. The deposits are intended to prevent operators from making block bookings to guarantee arrival and departure times.