Debenhams ‘could axe a third of sites’
Virgin jet was flying over London It’s the closest near miss so far
THREAT Department store TROUBLED Debenhams has reportedly earmarked one in three of its 166 stores for possible closure under an emergency plan.
The department store chain is also said to be considering axing its dividend as it takes drastic action to tackle debts.
Ten sites were already set for closure but this could rise if such a plan is accepted and depending on talks with landlords.
The retailer reportedly wants to save £30million by halting shareholder payments and £70million in capital expenditure cuts.
The move is expected to be announced with annual results on Thursday.
Chief executive Sergio Bucher said last week: “After our people, property is our biggest cost.” London on its approach to land Heathrow at 4.56pm on June 25. The plane, carrying up to 264 passengers, was above residential streets near Clapham Common, South West London. The drone was being flown at eight times the legal flight limit of 400ft. The UKAB report said that the “dronelike object was seen to pass just below the right wing, avoiding impact with the engine by an estimated 10ft”. The report rated it as a Category A incident, meaning there was “a serious risk of collision” and that “providence had played a major part” in the near miss.
The Civil Aviation Authority confirmed it was believed to be the closest call ever between a drone and a commercial airliner over the UK. The CAA spokesman said: “I can’t recall one before that got closer. Being at only 10ft from the engine, it was a very serious incident.”
Experts fear drones weaponised by terrorists.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro survived an assassination attempt when one mounted with explosives was flown at him as he gave a speech this year.
It is believed just a small amount of explosives could bring down a civilian aircraft.
A heavy drone could also disable a jet engine or smash its windscreen and injure the pilots.
They are also being used by criminals to smuggle drugs and phones into prisons – leading the Government to offer £7million to come up with a solution.
The number of near-misses has soared in recent years as they have become more popular, with 92 reported last year compared with 29 in 2015.
Drone operators who endanger the could be safety of an aircraft can face prison sentences of up to five years.
But Mr Beaver said: “We need similar licensing laws to those you have when purchasing guns in this country, at the moment I am afraid it is more like the USA, where almost anyone can go into a gun shop and purchase a high-powered rifle.
“I’m not saying there is not a place for drones as they are very useful to photographers, filmmakers and estate agents but more needs to be done to regulate the industry.”
A Virgin Atlantic spokeswoman confirmed the incident, but said she believed the drone had been 20ft from the aircraft, despite the official UK Airprox Board report saying it was 10ft.
She said: “The pilots immediately reported the incident to air traffic control. It’s vital that action is taken to regulate the use of drones near airports.” PAUL BEAVER AVIATION EXPERT WANTS CHANGES
We need licencing laws similar to when you buy a gun in the UK