Arriving by Air

Britain has about 130 licensed airports but only a handful of these are equipped (1) ___ long-haul traffic. The largest is London’s Heathrow, the world’s busiest international airport and one (2) ___ Europe’s central routing points for international air travelling. It is served (3) ___ most (4) ___ the world’s leading airlines (5) ___ direct flights from nearly all the major cities. The other major international airports include Gatwick, Manchester, Glasgow, Newcastle, Birmingham and Edinburgh. Smaller airports such as London City, Bristol, Norwich and Cardiff have daily flights (6) ___ European destinations.

E. Read the text. Find the words which mean the following and write them in the blanks: ***

Travelling within Britain by Air

Britain’s size means that internal air travel only makes sense over longish distances, where it can save a great deal of time – for example, London to Scotland, or to one of the many offshore islands. Air fares can be expensive, but if you book well ahead, fares can be up to three times cheaper than if you just turn up at the airport – although you are still always guaranteed a seat. The British Airways shuttle flights that operate between London and such cities as Glasgow, Edinburgh and Manchester are extremely popular with business travellers. At peak times of the day, flights leave every hour, while at other times there is usually a flight every two hours. Bad weather can cause delays or diversions during the winter months. Even on domestic flights, security is stringent, and you should never leave your bags unattended.

1. An air travel inside the country. __________

2. Islands that are in the sea and not far from the coast. __________

3. To arrive at an airport, especially in a way that is unexpected. __________

4. Frequent flights between two places. __________

5. The period when the greatest number of people are doing the same thing, using the same service, etc. __________

6. A change in the direction or the act of changing something .__________

F. Use the words given in the brackets to form a word that fits in the space and read the text. Consult a dictionary if required.

Airports

The main London airport is Heathrow (LHR), which is 15 miles west. Gatwick (LGW), the second airport, is (1) situated (SITUATE) 27 miles south of London. In addition there are two other airports: London City (10 miles east), which handles European business flights (2) _______ (MAIN), and Stansted (37 miles north) which handles international flights and is fast (3) _______ (DEVELOP) as the airport for cut-price flights to all over the world. Heathrow and Gatwick handle by far the most international flights and both have easy and convenient transport into (4) _______ (CENTRE) London.

Arriving from Heathrow

There is a direct service by train from Heathrow to Paddington station, which takes 15 minutes and leaves every 15 minutes. It is quite an (5) _______ (EXPEND) option. The underground also goes direct to and from central London (Piccadilly Circus) to Heathrow via the Piccadilly line. The underground is much (6) _______ (CHEAP) than the train, but it can take up to 90 minutes. If your destination is west London the underground may prove to be the most sensible form of transport.

Coaches and busses (Airbus A1 and A2) run (7) _______ (REGULAR) from the airport throughout the day and night. Again, if your destination is west London this will prove (8) _______ (CONVENIENCE), otherwise the end of the journey is Victoria coach station and you will have to organize the remainder of the journey from there.

Black taxis and local taxi services are available from Heathrow to London and the (9) _______ (SURROUND) area (around to central London). There is a black taxi rank where you can queue, although other taxi services will need to be (10) _______ (PRE-ORDER).

Arriving from Gatwick

The Victoria to Gatwick Express train runs every 15 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes during the night. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes.

In (11) _______ (ADD), there is a regular bus service (Flightline 777) to Victoria coach station throughout the day and night.

There is no black taxi rank at Gatwick, but local taxi services are available (around £40 to central London). Ask at the information desk.

Arriving from other London airports

• London city: links to London via overground train or Docklands Light railway. A taxi will cost around £20.

• Stansted: train to Liverpool Street station and National Express bus service. A taxi will cost about ₤35.

• Luton airport: a bus service to London. A taxi will cost about £50.