Heathrow airport has said Britain’s economic competitive advantage is “gradually being eroded” as other countries are investing more in their hub airports.
It said the lack of investment in infrastructure has meant Britain is losing out in the “race for connectivity” to rivals in Europe and Dubai.
Heathrow was responding to a report from manufacturers’ organisation The EEF, which is calling for the creation of a permanent UK Infrastructure Authority to address the nation’s long-term infrastructure requirements.
The EEF said the report is aimed at ending “decades of political wrangling and poor planning” and comes as the country is in the middle of a debate over expanding airport capacity.
“This report is yet more evidence of the critical role infrastructure plays in the economic health of the UK,” said a Heathrow spokesperson. “For 350 years Britain has been home to the world’s largest port or airport, with Heathrow providing the long-haul connectivity that has supported our trading position for decades.
“Today, that competitive advantage is gradually being eroded as our competitors invest in their hub airports whilst we lose out in the race for connectivity to our rivals in Europe and Dubai.”
Click here to read an analysis on the battle for increasing UK airport capacity