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Agent calls for national aviation strategy to boost regional long-haul routes
A travel agent has urged the government to adopt a national aviation strategy which boosts regional connectivity through Manchester and ends London’s dominance of long-haul flying, following the green light for expansion plans at Gatwick and Luton airports.
Richard Slater, owner of Macclesfield-based Henbury Travel, warned that growth in the southeast and a Heathrow third runway risk further entrenching a London-centred network.
He has drafted a ‘Beyond Heathrow’ briefing document calling on ministers to assess the carbon footprint of northern passengers forced to travel south to access international routes.
More: Agent Achievement Awards 2026: Outstanding Contribution winner - Richard Slater
Henbury Travel owner calls on operators to collaborate with smaller agencies
The intervention follows Gatwick and Luton clearing legal hurdles to expansion last week. The Court of Appeal dismissed a challenge by community group Cagne against Gatwick’s £2.2 billion northern runway project – set to add 13 million annual passengers – while the Supreme Court declined an appeal against Luton’s plans to expand capacity to 32 million by the mid-2040s.
Slater has sent his proposal to local MP Tim Roca to pass on to transport secretary Heidi Alexander and Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
His document questions why London airports continue to gain multiple daily long-haul services to destinations such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, while direct Manchester routes remain unsupported despite strong demand for premium leisure and business travel.
More: Agent Achievement Awards 2026: Outstanding Contribution winner - Richard Slater
Henbury Travel owner calls on operators to collaborate with smaller agencies
“This is not an argument for removing Heathrow services,” the document states. “It is an argument for asking whether future growth should continue to reinforce already heavily served London routes, or whether part of that growth should support direct regional connectivity.”
Slater said: “Premium leisure is one of the fastest growing and most resilient parts of the market.” He called for “stopping the craziness and dominance of London”.
Manchester Airport operator MAG urged ministers to utilise existing capacity outside the capital fully to deliver nationwide economic benefits. A MAG spokesperson said: “It’s vital we maximise the potential of airports in all parts of the country, especially those with immediately available spare capacity like Manchester.”
“Giving people the best possible access to the world from an airport near to where they live or work is best for jobs, best for growth and best for the environment.”
The government published a draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement in June which updates the existing 2018 Airports National Policy Statement and includes policy on regional airports.
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