The British Airports Authority has announced £200m plans for Stansted Airport in the South East of England. It will also be seeking permission to boost the number of flights from the current 120,000 to 185,000 thus increasing capacity from 8m to 15m per year. (20/10/98).

The ECOFIN Council approved Greece's convergence programme for 1998-2001 which would enable it to meet the criteria required for it to join the single currency on 1 January 2001.