26 June 2008

Heathrow debate rages

The row over Heathrowââ¬â¢s transfer passengers rumbled on yesterday after capital business leadersââ¬â¢ group London First called for the airport to cut the number of flights it handles to decrease delays and reduce congestion.

The controversial statement comes hours after furious BA boss Willie Walsh lambasted Tory leader David Cameron for suggesting transfer passengers at the London hub did not benefit the UK economy.

Airline representative group BARUK yesterday also attacked Cameron for his comments, suggesting he did not understand how hubs worked, and have now attacked London First, calling its views ââ¬Åâœregressiveââ¬~ and likely to ââ¬Åâœpush [the airport] down the table of leading airportsââ¬~.

A third of Heathrowââ¬â¢s passengers are transferring onto other flights, approximately 20 million, says BARUK.

Its chief executive Mike Carrick said: ââ¬ÅâœItââ¬â¢s rather bizarre that an organization promoting the development of London proposes reducing the economic and transport activity that is so vital for the worldââ¬â¢s leading city. This proposal is a big backward step.

ââ¬ÅâœCertainly, service improvements are required, but they would only be tinkering at the edges of the core problem: the lack of runway capacity.ââ¬~

He added: ââ¬ÅâœSubject to the required approval, we advocate the introduction of mixed mode runway operations until a third runway is built. This new runway is the key to resolving the capacity issues.

ââ¬ÅâœItââ¬â¢s also difficult to rationalise the belief that 20+ million transfer passengers per year make little economic contribution. Such numbers provide a massive business in themselves, and are key drivers to the success of Heathrow.ââ¬~

By Dinah Hatch

• PRINT
• SEND TO A FRIEND
• SHARE

Post your comment

Your Comments

, be the first to post a comment.
Your email:

Your comment title:


Your comment:

Email other comments made to this story

5 characters