Member Article

Heathrow makes case for third runway

A third runway must be built at Heathrow if the UK is to compete with our European neighbours and Middle Eastern competitors, according to a report issued by airport firm, Heathrow.

The report said the lack of capacity at Heathrow meant the economy was suffering a £14bn loss in trade, which could rise to £26bn by 2030.

Heathrow’s Chief Executive, Colin Matthews, said if we want to compete with airports like Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt and Dubai, we must invest in increased infrastructure to “rehabilitate the economy.”

He added: “Heathrow won’t have added any more flights by the time it is overtaken. It can’t. It is full, with no spare runway capacity and no plans approved for a new runway.”

Mr Matthews went on to say that increased airport capacity is vital if we want to develop trade routes into emerging markets like China, Russia and Brazil.

Heathrow’s report addressed the Government’s “Davies Commission”, which is currently in the process of discussion plans for Heathrow and the much protested against third runway.

As the UK’s only “hub” airport, Heathrow connects with 75 destinations which no other airport in the country provides flights to.

By mixing local passengers with transfer passengers, the hub airport serves businesses by connecting them with growth markets that other UK airports cannot.

Heathrow highlighted that the hub makes it easier for British businesses to attract “global talent” as a result of simple connections.Improved infrastructure would also make it easier to import and export goods, according to the report, while the tourism sector would reap obvious benefits.

The company argued against environmentally-minded critics, and said any extra CO2 emissions the third runway may cause would only be “pushed to other UK or European airports”, if the extra runway was not built.

The report added that an airport hub in the South East could deal with larger planes with higher loads and lower emissions per passenger than smaller airports, and would in fact be able to tackle emissions more effectively that other sites.

Mr Matthews concluded: “None of the options for additional airport capacity is easy. Every choice, including doing nothing, has its consequences.

“However a clear positive decision would stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and help secure Britain’s competitiveness in a changing world.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .