The Last Minute Travel Fact Center

Airline bosses have told British MPs that there is no alternative to expanding Heathrow airport. Easyjet and Virgin bosses have told the House of Commons that Heathrow is already full to capacity and that further investment was needed.

Supporters of the controversial plans for a third runway at Heathrow have claimed that it is vital for Britain’s economic growth and future prosperity. They have alerted the Government to the fact that Heathrow is now fifth in a league table of airports regarding the number of destinations served, behind Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam and Munich. They have stated that the proposed expansion of Heathrow airport is essential if Heathrow is to maintain its position as a top international transportation hub.

The anti-expansion lobby has now received support from a number of prominent businesses. These include BT, Tate and Lyle and the drinks group Diageo. They believe that the third runway is essential for UK competitiveness in light of the developing opportunities presented by emerging economies in Africa, Latin America and Asia and this view is shared by the CBI employers group and the TUC.

Environmental scientists have said that there is no choice and that the expansion of Heathrow airport must not go ahead. They have said that the only practical solution is for the airlines to reduce the demand for air transport. Clearly, this would not be good for business growth.

The decision to allow BAA to draw up plans for the controversial third runway was granted in January 2009. But this has been legally challenged by a coalition representing millions of people. The key points of the challenge are:

• That the UK risks breaching noise targets and the EU legal limits on air pollution.
• The decision to allow the development of a third runway at Heathrow will undermine Government’s efforts to meet emission targets that are intended to make a significant contribution to tackling climate change.
• That there should have been further consultation as the final plan adopted by the Government was so different from the original proposals.

The decision to allow BAA to draw up detailed plans for the expansion of Heathrow will now be examined by the courts to assess whether the decision was compatible with their existing legal oblications and policies on climate change and the environment.

It is clear that conflict exists between those who think that increased air transport, with Heathrow as the hub of the transport network, is essential for economic security and growth and those who believe that Heathrow expansion is climatic suicide and that we should be taking steps to curb increases in demand.

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