The government’s announcement today that it would give airports up to £8 million each in business rates relief is insufficient and “discriminates against large airports”, Heathrow has said.
A spokesperson told BTN Europe: “While we welcome the government’s recognition that airports have been devastated by Covid-19 and are struggling to survive under the burden of massive rates bills, today’s announcement doesn’t go far enough.
“The proposed reduction in business rates for Heathrow is only 7 per cent, compared to an 82 per cent reduction in passenger numbers. Small airports in England, and all airports in Scotland and Northern Ireland, have had a 100 per cent waiver from business rates – even the big supermarkets, which are booming, have enjoyed a 100 per cent waiver of business rates.
“The government’s proposed approach is discriminatory against large airports, and we will now carefully consider our next steps.”
Heathrow airport is one of the largest business rate payers in the UK, paying £120 million annually. The airport has cut operating costs by more than £300m and reduced capital investment by £650 million.