Airlines rubbish Gatwick proposals to take winter flights from Heathrow
Proposals by Gatwick airport that flight restrictions should be placed on Heathrow during the winter and excess services switched to Gatwick instead to reduce weather-related delays and cancellations have been opposed by airlines.
Dale Keller, chief executive of the Board of Airline Representatives UK, said it should not be for airports or the Government to decide where airlines and passengers fly.
"The major cost of delays and cancellations are borne by the airlines and their customers," he said. ""It is simply not cost effective for airlines to split operations over different airports for short periods and it is unlikely their customers would want this either."
Instead, he said the fact that Heathrow was forced to cancel and delay many flights this week and last due to snow, ice and fog proved the case for a third runway at the airport.
"This week’s delays and cancellations demonstrate what the airlines have been saying for years, that additional runway capacity at the UK’s hub airport is required to improve air transport resilience, not only international competitiveness and growth," he added.
"BAR UK will present the airlines’ view to the Airports Commission as part of the forthcoming consultation on airport capacity."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive