BAA, the former BAA Plc, and now owned by a consortium led the Spanish Ferrovial engineering group, has joined Future Heathrow, the campaign for the sustainable growth of Heathrow Airport, to argue thecase that expansion is vital to UK competitiveness.
The move is a sign BAA is increasingly confident that further growth of the airport is possible within environmental limits on noise, air quality and surface access as set out by the Government in its 2003 Air Transport White Paper.
In August 2005, ABTN reported on a plan to expand Heathrow with a project known as T6, or London Airport North. It would involve building a new short runway and terminal building in an area north of the M4 (as shown above). Using much of the original 1944 scheme for the then Heath Row, the plan does include the loss of 700 properties including the entire village of Sipson and also part of Harmondsworth.
Commenting on the new relationship with Future Heathrow, BAA Heathrow CEO, Tony Douglas said: ”The Government will launch a consultation on the future of Heathrow Airport later this year and BAA will be campaigning for permission to grow.”
”Heathrow is at the heart of the UK economy and one of our country”s most important assets. It supports thousands of jobs, provides the vital links between the UK and the global economy, and is an absolutely essential factor in convincing companies to locate in Britain. But today Heathrow is full, operating at 99% of its current runway capacity, and vulnerable to foreign competition.”
”We do not underestimate the impact that Heathrow”s expansion would have on some local communities, but the decline of the UK”s only hub airport would also have real and lasting effects”.
”We are increasingly confident that the further growth of Heathrow is possible within the environmental limits set out by the Government ” that means no more noise than in 2002, air quality pollution safely within EU limits, and public transport improvements to help manage congestion.”
Future Heathrow is a coalition of airlines, trades unions, business groups, aircraft manufacturers and other organisations that support the sustainable growth of Heathrow Airport.
Former local Labour MP and Future Heathrow campaign director, Lord Clive Soley said: ”I am delighted that BAA has joined Future Heathrow. It is a sign of the growing realisation that Heathrow cannot stand still. If the airport does not meet the evolving needs of business, then business will simply move elsewhere, with other European airports eager to provide the routes that Heathrow cannot.”