Industry welcomes airport decision

THE recommendation by the Airports Commission that a new runway should be built at Heathrow Airport has been welcomed by industry.

Terry Scuoler, chief executive of EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, said:  “Heathrow is a global freight hub and the clear preference for manufacturers with a business need for aviation expansion. Today’s recommendation that Heathrow should be allowed to expand is the right one for industry and the country.”
 
“We now have a recommendation that has already taken a Parliament to make and the Government now needs to get on with the job of implementing it. The aim must be for planning permission to be granted before the end of this Parliament.”
 
But Scuoler added: “Lessons need to be learned from the current approach as we cannot afford to leave such major decisions to the last minute again.”

The Airports Commission backed a third Heathrow runway, saying it will add £147bn in economic growth and 70,000 jobs by 2050 and would connect Britain to 40 new destinations.

Sir Howard Davies, who headed the Commission, also said that a second runway at Gatwick was a “credible” option but was less able to provide connections to long-haul destinations and would create lower levels of economic growth.

The final decision will rest with the Government.

Downing Street officials say they want to digest the report properly, without making “a snap judgement”.

Heathrow welcomed the Commission’s decision saying it would now work with government to “deliver expansion for all of Britain”.

John Cridland, CBI Director-General, said: “The Government must commit to the decision now, and get diggers in the ground at Heathrow swiftly by 2020.

“Growing airport capacity in the South East is absolutely critical to the whole of the UK’s economic future – it simply isn’t an optional ‘nice to do’. Each day the Government delays taking the decision, the UK loses out as our competitors reap the rewards and strengthen their trade links.

“Creating new routes to emerging markets will open doors to trade, boosting growth, creating jobs and driving investment right across the country. Our research shows that eight new daily routes alone could boost exports by up to £1bn a year.

“The UK’s economic future cannot be kept waiting on the tarmac any longer. By taking the decision now, the Government can send the message, loud and clear, that Britain is open for business.”

Darren Caplan, chief executive of the Airport Operators Association (AOA), the trade body representing over 50 UK airports, said it welcomed the completion of the commission’s work but it fell short of supporting its findings.

“The UK needs to compete in both established and emerging markets. This requires excellent aviation connectivity right across the country, ensuring the UK has both vibrant point to point airports and world class hub capacity. The AOA supports all airports that wish to grow and believes in making best use of existing capacity at UK airports,” he said.

“The AOA welcomes the completion of the Airports Commission’s work and supports the assertion it has already made in its Interim Report regarding the need for both airport expansion and making better use out of existing capacity. Now that the Commission has published its Final Report, the Government should respond swiftly to maintain momentum, remove uncertainty and ensure the UK gets the additional capacity it so vitally needs as soon as possible.”