Government urged to consider TWO new runways at Heathrow
Heathrow Airport says the government should consider allowing it to build not one but two new runways to satisfy the anticipated growth in air travel, according to a report in the Financial Times.
Its owners, Heathrow Airport Holdings (formerly BAA), have asked the Davies Airports Commission set up by the government to examine proposals for air capacity expansion, to consider the case for transforming Heathrow into a four-runway mega-hub.
It has suggested the commission, chaired by Sir Howard Davies, should examine two reports – one by the Free Enterprise Group of Conservative MPs and one by the right-leaning think-tank Policy Exchange – that argue in favour of two new runways at the west London airport.
Heathrow Airport Holdings said: "We have seen the outline proposals from the Free Enterprise Group and Policy Exchange for a four runway airport at or near Heathrow.
"We don’t endorse either proposal but we do believe that the Davies commission should consider any option for a single airport capable of handling the UK’s future hub capacity needs."
The think-tank added the four runways should be located 3km to the west of the existing Heathrow site, to reduce noise impact on local residents.
The Davies Commission will deliver its interim findings next year, but it will not issue its final report until the next general election.
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
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