IGNORE: ABTA chief hits out at ‘illogical’ Tory plans for Heathrow
Conservative plans to abandon development of a third runway at Heathrow in favour of a new high speed rail line has been condemned by ABTA as “illogicalâ€.
ABTA has written to shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers, describeing the Conservative plans as “illogical, ill-conceived and totally unworkableâ€.
Chief executive Mark Tanzer, said: “The Conservative Party announcement that they are against airport expansion at Heathrow and will actively discourage aviation travel is totally illogical.
“A knee-jerk reaction is not what is needed, particularly when many thousands of jobs depend on aviation and inward investment could well be threatened.
“What about travellers from Scotland, Northern Ireland and the regions who have no choice but to use Heathrow as their gateway to international destinations – their plight seems to have been totally overlooked?
“I have written to Theresa Villiers highlighting the serious implications of following this course of action and asking her to reconsider this policy stance.â€
ABTA´s ire emerged at the Travel Convention in Gran Canaria following Villiers telling the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham that Tories would say ‘no’ to a third runway at Heathrow in favour of expansion of a national high speed rail network.
Tanzer added: “High-speed rail has its place as part as an integrated transport system but should be seen as complementary to air travel – not an expensive substitute.
“Lack of capacity at our airports is damaging our economy it is bad for customers, bad for the industry and ultimately bad for the environment when we have planes in holding patterns across the skies above our heads waiting for landing slots.â€
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps