Airlines have rubbished the Government's proposal for a £5bn high-speed rail link between Heathrow and Gatwick, which they say will do nothing to address the urgent need for more flight capacity in the southeast of England.
The Board of Airline Representatives in the UK, which represents 86 carriers, said the "Heathwick" development would not create a "viable hub airport".
"We do not see how the estimated £5bn can be justified, even if others paid for it," BAR UK said in a statement issued today.
"Building an aviation policy around this concept is misguided and if airlines and airports believed a rail line could work it would have had their support years ago."
The proposal, which is being considered by ministers as an alternative to expanding Heathrow, would establish an underground rail link connecting Heathrow and Gatwick in 15 minutes, enabling passengers to transfer between flights. However, BAR UK said flight connecting times would not be competitive with other airports.
By Linsey McNeill
