Airlines have welcomed the Davies Commission’s interim report which narrowed down the immediate options for capacity expansion to Gatwick and Heathrow.
Reacting to this morning’s publishing of the commission’s initial findings, the Board of Airline Representatives in the UK (BAR UK) said Heathrow was the only sensible way forward.
The Davies Commission interim report included three options for runways to meet demand to 2030 and beyond to 2050.
They include a second runway at Gatwick, a third runway at Heathrow or extending one of Heathrow’s existing runways.
Dale Keller, chief executive of BAR UK, said: “Despite the inevitable challenges and disagreement that will follow, the vast majority of airlines believe that expanding Heathrow is now the only sensible way forward for the UK.
“Sir Howard and his team have correctly identified that other proposals would cost billions in public funding and could create mass relocations and associated social upheaval and economic pain, or not deliver on the core objectives.
“Unlike rail, it’s the world’s airlines and their customers who will ultimately pay for the new airport infrastructure through airport charges.
“Since aircraft are a moveable asset, the UK cannot risk building capacity where the airlines and their customers don’t want it.
“Airlines are also highly supportive of the inclusion of an optimisation strategy, with Sir Howard acknowledging that this is not only an issue of airlines adding more flights to meet increasing demand, but also about improving resilience and the customer experience.
“The travelling public want the industry and the Government to reduce delays caused by congestion and to fully meet their future travelling needs. This can only be achieved by having three or more runways together in the right location.”
Heathrow chief executive Colin Matthews told the BBC: “The case for Heathrow is strong. It’s important that businesses can get around the globe to where economies are growing.”