Government ‘can’t afford to delay runway decision’
Britain will lose its competitive edge unless it takes an urgent decision on where to build an extra runway in the southeast, according to the travel management body GTMC.
Chief executive Paul Wait said he was frustrated at the news that the decision might be further delayed until December, or even later.
The Airports Commission is due to announce its final recommendations on where to site an additional runway within the next few weeks, but there are reports that the Government won’t take a decision until the end of the year.
Three options are being considered: a second runway at Gatwick, a third at Heathrow, or the extension of an existing runway at Heathrow.
However, a local campaign group opposed to the expansion of the UK’s premier hub airport is calling for a judicial review after claiming it wasn’t given enough time to consider evidence to the commission over air pollution.
If it succeeds, the decision could be delayed even longer.
The Teddington Action Group spokesman Paul McGuinness told the BBC: "The lack of proper engagement by the Commission led by Sir Howard Davies in relation to the latest air quality consultation is unacceptable and local people should be consulted in a meaningful way on an issue that directly impacts their health and wellbeing."
The Group has also called into question the role of Sir Howard, claiming that his recently acquired chairmanship of RBS could be a ‘conflict of interest’ as companies that own Heathrow and Gatwick bank with the firm.
Wait said: "It is disappointing and frustrating to hear that a decision on additional airport capacity may be subject to further debate and delay.
"The findings of the Davies Commission report have been long awaited particularly by business travellers.
"The fact that we might have to wait even longer for a decision and therefore additional airport capacity means that in turn we have to wait even longer to realise opportunities for growth abroad.
"As a result we run the risk of the UK losing its competitive edge in the global marketplace – a risk the UK government and UK business cannot afford to take."
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 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025