BREAKING NEWS is the launch today of a new campaign group, Future Heathrow, led by former West London MP Clive Soley, which will highlight the economic importance of Heathrow and encourage sustainable expansion at the airport.
Members of the group include the CBI, London Chamber of Commerce, trade unions and UK and overseas airlines.
In December 2003, the government announced in its Future of Air Transport White Paper that a third runway should be built at Heathrow between 2015 and 2020 subject to environmental conditions being met.
The next step towards Heathrow”s development is to be made shortly when BAA publishes its master plan for the airport this summer. Clive Soley represented Hammersmith and then Ealing, Acton and Shepherds Bush as an MP for 26 years. Commenting on the launch he said: ”Heathrow is critically important to the economic prosperity of West London and the Thames Valley and is a uniquely valuable asset to London and the UK. However, there”s a real threat to the airport unless its development continues. Visit any modern airport in Europe and you will see how Heathrow has fallen behind. In 1990, Heathrow served more destinations in Europe than any other airport except Frankfurt. By 2004, it was overtaken by Amsterdam, Paris Charles de Gaulle and Munich and, without the third runway, will be overtaken by Madrid, Milan and Rome, by 2015. These airports will continue to enhance their competitive advantage over Heathrow until it is able to increase its capacity”.