Heathrow must be expanded if the UK and London is to “continue to prosper” and any further political obstacle should be avoided, the head of the Airports Commission has said.
Howard Davies, appointed by the government to review airport capacity, said overseas the lack of a decision is seen as a “symbol of Britain’s inability to decide on its future as a trading nation”.
Writing in today’s Daily Telegraph, Davies said the case for expanding Heathrow is now “overwhelming”.
“The need for a clear strategic direction is more important since the referendum result,” said Davies. “The rhetoric about becoming a European Singapore with a ‘blue water’ trading focus seems empty if we cannot connect to the new markets we wish to serve.”
His comments come a day before a decision is made by the government. It’s widely believed that Heathrow will be chosen but a final decision won’t be made until late next year.
Davies said expanding Gatwick was not an option as it’s mainly a European short-haul airport, orientated towards outward tourism. “Sadly, relatively few residents of Marbella and Corfu come here for their summer break. At Heathrow the tourist traffic is largely inbound. With our huge balance of payments deficit we need more high-spending American and Asian tourists to balance the books. And Heathrow has hugely more air freight, some 150 times as much as Gatwick by value. High-value exports go through the airport and its extensive infrastructure of logistics companies. Replicating that infrastructure around Gatwick would be hugely costly.”
He also ruled out the option of expanding both airports. “Allowing two proposals to continue could mean neither is built, as it would be impossible to argue that both runways could be fully used in the next twenty years while meeting our legislated climate change commitments. So the decision could be challenged in the courts,” Davies said.
Davies added: “Only governments can afford to build well ahead of need. So my hope is that we see a clear and categorical decision this week. Any chunks of fudge in the box will reduce the chances of eventual success.”
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