Member Article

The Airports Commission recommends Heathrow’s third runway over Gatwick

In a several month-long debate, The Airports Commission has finally made a clear recommendation on the decision to expand Heathrow or Gatwick Airports to accommodate for increased traffic to the London airports.

The commission, chaired by Sir Howard Davies, has made a formal recommendation for the plans to build a third runway at Heathrow Airport.

Earlier this morning, easyJet backed the plans for a third runway at the airport, as it will result in an increased number of take-off and landing slots for the budget airline.

Simon Walker, director-general of the Institute of Directors, also backed plans for a third runway at the West London airport, he said: “There is a clear business case for a new runway. When asked to choose which of London’s major airports should get a new runway, 61pc of IoD members chose Heathrow, compared to 39pc who chose Gatwick.

“The Airports Commission has recommended strong environmental and noise protections at Heathrow, and believes expansion can bring economic benefits while limiting the impact on those living nearby.

“The report recognises that there is also a good case for a second runway at Gatwick, which would help promote competition, and this should be kept as an option for the future.

“This is the issue that has been kicked down the road time and again, but there can now be no further delay from politicians. The Government should move quickly.”

John Cridland, director-general of the CBI, said: “Sir Howard’s Commission has made its recommendation, the Government must commit to the decision now, and get diggers in the ground at Heathrow swiftly by 2020.Growing airport capacity in the South East is absolutely critical to the whole of the UK’s economic future.

“Each day the Government delays taking the decision, the UK loses out as our competitors reap the rewards and strengthen their trade links.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .