The commission has said that the economic benefits of expanding Gatwick would be “considerably smaller” than those of expanding Heathrow. It is well placed to cater for growth in intra-European leisure flying, but is unlikely to provide as much of the type of capacity which is most urgently required: long-haul destinations in new markets.
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“After decades of dithering, today’s politicians must now come together in the national interest and legislate for a new runway at Heathrow”.
Sir Howard Davies, who chaired the inquiry, says: “Over the past 2 and a half years, the Airports Commission has reviewed the evidence without preconceptions, consulted widely, and followed an inclusive and integrated process”.
The commission recommends banning night flights and introducing measures to ensure “acceptable” air quality near the airport.
Members of Parliament broadly agree that southeast England needs an additional runway to remain economically competitive but its location has been disputed for over 25 years.
Britain’s top leader will finalize a decision by the end of the year on a controversial $28 billion expansion at London Heathrow Airport after a long-awaited study recommended a third runway at Europe’s busiest hub.
Davies said: “Heathrow… provides the greatest benefits for business passengers, freight operators and the broader economy”.
Heathrow’s chief executive John Holland-Kaye said its expansion plan would take the concerns of local communities into account and would meet carbon, air quality and noise targets.
EasyJet has always been more willing than many of its low-priced peers to operate into the bigger primary airports, for example operating a string of service out of Paris Charles de Gaulle. Only Heathrow expansion will keep Britain as one of the world’s great trading nations.
“Only a third runway at Heathrow will deliver for the future vibrancy and growth of the region”.
“For Slough, Heathrow expansion will: increase local green spaces and public recreation areas, including improvements to Colne Valley Park; improve local road networks to reduce congestion; provide the potential to eradicate youth unemployment and deliver once-in-a-generation skills, training and apprenticeship opportunities”.
The decision by the Airports Commission to back Heathrow’s third runway is a major blow to rival Gatwick, but the airport’s CEO Stewart Wingate claimed it was still “very much in the race”. While leading opposition to then Prime Minister Gordon Brown in 2009, Cameron had said that a new runway at Heathrow in the densely populated west London would not happen under his watch.
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Expansion at the airline’s largest base, Gatwick, is among the other options short-listed and judged credible by the Commission in its final report.
