A failure to back a third runway at Heathrow in a crucial vote by MPs in parliament today will mean the opportunity is lost for ever.
The warning came from UK airlines amid speculation that Scottish MPs could refuse to back Heathrow expansion in the Commons vote.
The government also faces opposition in its own ranks, with a number of Conservatives who represent seats in Heathrow’s flight path expected to rebel.
Junior trade minister Greg Hands, the MP for Chelsea and Fulham, resigned from the government last week to oppose expansion of Heathrow. Arch critic, foreign secretary Boris Johnson, will miss the vote by being abroad promoting UK trade.
Labour is also split on the controversial plans although more than 40 have backed expansion of the London hub, raising expectations that the expansion plan will be backed.
Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, the industry association that represents UK carriers, warned: “It is now or never for Heathrow expansion and the prospect of a bigger and better hub airport – there can be no turning back if the vote is lost – and we hope MPs will recognise this and provide the all-important political support that is needed to take the scheme to the next stage.”
He went on to address concerns over possible fare hikes and route expansion at Heathrow.
“Airlines are clear that they will respond to the unlocking of capacity by creating new routes and providing consumers with more choice and frequency – including to regional airports within the UK,” Alderslade said.
“The country desperately needs a new runway if it is to cater for future demand from passengers and cargo customers and enable us to do business in new markets and destinations overseas – this will be all important as we prepare to leave the EU.
“The benefits are there for all to see – £74 billion to passengers and the wider economy, tens of thousands of new jobs and a huge expansion in capacity for goods – and we cannot afford to let these slip away.”
He added: “Carriers have been vocal in expressing concerns about some elements of the project, in particular its cost and affordability, however this debate will now be able to play out during the planning process and we will be working closely with the government and Civil Aviation Authority to ensure that they protect customers from increased costs and inefficiencies, and the secretary of state must enforce his stated aim of keeping passenger charges at today’s levels.
“What is clear, however, is that if MPs vote against expansion in the House we will never reach this stage and the benefits of a new runway – to consumers, businesses and UK plc more generally – will be lost for ever.”
Transport secretary Chris Grayling urged MPs of all parties to back “the biggest transport decision in a generation”.
He said: “Successive governments have wrestled with the issue of Heathrow expansion, but never before has parliament held a vote on this project.
“At stake are thousands of new jobs and the country’s ability to compete on an international stage and win new global trade.”
He made five pledges over the Heathrow expansion:
• No cost to taxpayers
• An economic boost providing 100,000 jobs
• Guaranteed benefits for the whole country including internal flights, rail links and “global opportunities” for regional firms
• Built-in environmental protections
• The ability to fine Heathrow or ground aircraft if the airport breaks its own promises over the scheme.
Jock Lowe, director of the alternative Heathrow Hub extended runway plan, said: “The SNP need to be very careful they are not being duped into backing Heathrow’s third runway.
“The UK government has made a woolly commitment that ‘up to 15%’ of new slots will be reserved for regional flights, but it has no power to make such a commitment. It is just pork-barrel spin.
“As it stands Heathrow airport’s third runway plan is so expensive it is likely to cause average passenger fees to double to £40 each, making most connecting flights with Scotland uneconomic because tickets will be too pricey.
“Even if Heathrow airport provides discounts for Scottish flights, it will only be able to do so by raising other passenger fees, which airlines won’t like.”
Manchester Airports Group said: “Government must match its support for a third runway at Heathrow with specific and practical proposals to maximise the potential of others airports – not least because new capacity at Heathrow is more than a decade away.
“It is vital for the UK economy that the country has the best possible aviation connections and that means actively supporting airports that can deliver global connections now. Manchester and London Stansted have significant capacity for growth, and we are investing £1.5 billion in new facilities to enable them to drive the UK economy.
“Government should match this investment by, specifically, committing to improving the rail link to Stansted, and accelerating the delivery of HS2 and ‘Northern Powerhouse Rail’.
“With less than a year until Brexit, government must do more to maximise the potential of all airports, to ensure the UK doesn’t lose out over the next decade.
“MAG’s airports have provided new links to the North America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia over the last year, and have the potential to deliver many more direct long haul services in the years to come.”