Airline chiefs launch new campaign for Heathrow third runway » Local Government » 24dash.com

Airline chiefs today joined business leaders and trade unionists in calling for a third runway to be built at Heathrow.

The call, in newspaper adverts, came just days before an expected Government decision on whether the west London airport should be expanded.

The adverts say that building a third runway is vital for jobs, economic growth, investment and the long-term competitiveness of the UK's economy.

The supporters of the expansion are all members of the Future Heathrow group, which believes that the current economic conditions only underscore the need to take decisions now that would help safeguard the UK's economic future.

Future Heathrow says that only a major international hub airport like Heathrow can provide the direct flights that the UK needs to important long-haul business destinations such as China and India.

The group says Heathrow is full with its two existing runways operating at 99 per-cent capacity while its European competitors have four runways or more.

Baroness Jo Valentine, chief executive of business group London First, said: "Business needs to fly and will do so long after the current economic turmoil. A third runway will be an asset to London and the UK economy if it comes with the right conditions.

"They are that there should be no new flights until delays have fallen, there should be a tough independent environmental monitor and there should be world-class customer service."

CBI director-general Richard Lambert said: "Heathrow is our gateway to the world and we need to ensure that it remains a world-class airport capable of serving the needs of a global economy. With the airport at capacity, Heathrow's status as a global hub is under threat."

TUC deputy general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "Aviation is key to the UK economy and the unions are committed to supporting the sustainable development of Heathrow - not only leading to the creation of many more quality jobs but also meeting local noise and air quality standards and ensuring the CO2 emissions from aviation growth are consistent with the UK's new carbon budgets."

British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh said: "A third runway would be fantastic news for jobs and investment in Britain. The rest of Europe has already built extra capacity at its hub airports and will be ready to benefit when the economic recovery comes. Britain cannot afford to slip further behind."

Colin Matthews, chief executive of Heathrow operator BAA, said: "A third runway will only go ahead if strict environmental limits are met. We are confident that they will be and have requested that the Government appoint an independent assessor to ensure that the environmental limits will be adhered to."

It is thought that a Government announcement on Heathrow could come on Wednesday of this week. Over the weekend the Institute of Public Policy and Research said that Heathrow's third runway would become a "white elephant" unless conditions for meeting noise and emission targets were attached to its go-ahead.

It is believed that engineering group Arup is about to unveil plans for a high-speed rail link from London to the north via Heathrow.

The Conservatives are against expansion at Heathrow and prefer an improved rail links between UK cities.

The Government believes there should be rail links as well as airport expansion at Heathrow.

It is also thought that London Mayor Boris Johnson is to lead a legal challenge against the Government if Heathrow expansion is agreed upon. Mr Johnson is keen on the creation of a new airport in the London area.