Heathrow and Gatwick expansion plans to cost billions more than forecast
Airlines have warned that today’s passengers mustn’t be forced to foot the bill for creating more airport capacity in the south east as it emerged that the cost of building new runways at Heathrow and Gatwick will cost significantly more than forecast.
The Airports Commission said two shortlisted proposals for expanding Heathrow will cost between £3 billion and £4 billion more than estimated, while adding a second runway at Gatwick will cost £2 billion more than suggested by the airport.
The Commission said no decision on the best location for a new runway will be made until after a public consultation, which was announced yesterday, but it said expanding Heathrow will deliver greater benefit to the wider UK economy than a second runway at Gatwick.
However, the cost to the public and to the airlines will be an important factor in deciding which option is eventually selected, said the Board of Airline Representatives.
BAR UK chief executive Dale Keller, said "It is reassuring that the cost of the short listed proposals has now undergone such comprehensive analysis and scrutiny by the Airports Commission.
"Since airlines and ultimately the travelling public fund the vast majority of the UK’s airport infrastructure, unlike road and rail, airlines will be closely examining the Commission’s findings on the business case and cost model for each of the Gatwick and Heathrow options.
"Airlines insist that no advance financing is inflicted on the travelling public and that new infrastructure is paid by those who will benefit, not today’s passengers."
His comments were echoed by Nathan Stower, chief executive of the British Air Transport Association, who said: "The Airports Commission’s final recommendation must be cost effective, offer value for money, and not rely on today’s passengers paying for infrastructure that won’t be ready until at least the mid-2020s.
"UK airlines will study the appraisal of each option in detail to judge whether the plan is supported by a robust business case with realistic forecasts and a credible funding mechanism. I hope our politicians will wait for the results of this consultation and the Commission’s final report so that political decisions can be taken with the fullest evidence."
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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