A “clear and unambiguous commitment” from politicians is needed on expanding airport capacity for the UK to defend and grow its competitive position.
The call came on Friday as consultation by the Airports Commission closes on proposals for a new airport in the inner Thames estuary – an option favoured by London mayor Boris Johnson over expansion of Heathrow.
James Stamp, KPMG’s head of transport, said: “We welcome the progress being made by the Airports Commission.
“However, we believe that the debate about whether new capacity is needed has been resolved; the question that needs to be answered now is, where and when?”
He added: “UK PLC will only benefit from the work of the Commission if action is taken, and this will require political will.
“A clear and unambiguous commitment from politicians, who aspire to be in power following the next general election, will benefit everyone: providing clarity, removing uncertainty, and allowing the UK to defend and grow its competitive position.”
The Airports Commission, chaired by Sir Howard Davies, is charged with submitting a final report to the government by summer 2015 assessing the environmental, economic and social costs and benefits of various solutions to increase airport capacity – considering operational, commercial and technical viability.
So far, a third runway at Heathrow, extending an existing runway at the London hub or a second runway at Gatwick have been shortlisted while a new Thames estuary airport – the so-called ‘Boris island’ – has not been ruled out.