Leading airlines have condemned a plan for a high-speed rail link between Heathrow and Gatwick aimed at turning the airports into a single hub christened Heathwick.
The proposal is one of a series the government is considering to maximise airport capacity following its veto on new runways at Heathrow, Gatwick or Stansted. The plan would pose a threat to leisure carriers at Gatwick, the UK’s biggest airport for charter services, and was immediately condemned by scheduled airlines.
British Airways said the plan would “do absolutely nothing to address the pressing issue of the southeast’s need for more airport capacity”. International Airlines Group chief executive Willie Walsh said: “It is not an efficient way of doing things.
The cost would clearly be significantly greater than the previous options that have been rejected. I struggle to see how it would be funded. The airports are not owned by the same owner.”
The Heathwick plan assumes low-cost carriers would leave Gatwick and move back to Stansted, driven out by higher airport charges.
An easyJet spokesman said: “We will fight all the way against any attempt to force us out of Gatwick.”
Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary agreed, saying: “There is no way of moving the budget airlines out of Gatwick.”
Heathrow operator BAA also condemned the Heathwick idea, saying: “A virtual hub between Heathrow and Gatwick faces insurmountable technical, operational, political and financial challenges and would take years to deliver. It provides no extra runway capacity in the southeast, which is the key problem.”
However, a Gatwick spokesman said: “We would be pleased to discuss the idea. Anything that has the potential to distribute demand for access to London’s airports has to be a good thing.”
The £5 billion plan foresees 180mph trains linking Heathrow and Gatwick in 15 minutes, departing every five minutes and travelling almost wholly underground. The high-speed service would allow transfer passengers to connect between the airports.
An alternative plan would see Heathrow linked with RAF Northolt. Both proposals are expected to form part of a consultation on UK aviation strategy due to be published next spring.