Heathrow reiterates commitment to expansion

Heathrow has announced a new package of commitments deliverable with expansion, designed to connect the UK’s nations and regions to growth markets around the world. Heathrow

Taken together, the airport’s management authority claims they have the potential to deliver billions of pounds worth of trade and investment opportunities, reversing a lost decade of connectivity which has seen regional connections to long-haul markets squeezed out of the UK’s hub airport.

The move comes at a time when Amsterdam Schiphol has more links to the UK’s nations and regions than Heathrow and Gatwick combined. As a result, Schiphol has gained traffic that would otherwise support new long haul routes, jobs and economic activity in the UK, the operator said.

The measures would boost the seven existing routes, offering the potential for better-timed and more frequent flights. In addition, our analysis indicates that passengers would be able to fly from nine domestic airports not currently served by Heathrow, meaning that a total of at least 16 regional airports will have the opportunity of direct links to the UK’s hub.

The commitments include establishing a new Heathrow Route Development Fund worth £10 million, providing start-up capital for airlines to support five new routes for three years; partnering with UK airports, LEPs, Chambers of Commerce, national and regional governments to work with airlines to establish new domestic routes through Heathrow; working with government to re-designate public service obligation (PSO) routes to Heathrow.

Working with any organisation that wants to operate Northolt as a satellite runway for UK routes until Heathrow is expanded.

Airports Commission analysis has already revealed that an expanded Heathrow would deliver up to £114bn in economic benefit outside London and the South East, double the amount that would be delivered by an expanded Gatwick.

Commenting on the commitments, John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow CEO, said:

“Expanding Heathrow could deliver close to 80,000 jobs and up to £114 billion of GDP outside London and the South East. We have been listening to businesses, politicians and now to the National Connectivity Task Force, and today’s announcement shows that we have a plan to deliver what Britain needs. Only Heathrow can connect all of Britain to global growth. That’s why we are best for Britain and backed by Britain. Let’s get on with it.”

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