Poor planning results in delays

PILOTS are claiming they lose up to eight minutes each time they take off from Alicante-Elche airport.

The delays are a result of poor planning as the hold up is caused as they taxi to the runways because designers did not allow enough space for two aircraft when the €700 million airport was first designed. As a result they must wait until the access is clear which causes delays and hold ups.

Airlines said: “The extra time that an aircraft is on the ground means losing money.” Pilots get round the problem by asking permission to take off before they are entirely prepared: “They know that they will have everything ready in the time they wait before they get the okay from the control tower.” Airports operator Aena denied that there were hold ups but did admit private meetings had been held with airlines last month. They promised solutions would be found when budgets allowed.