IAG boss Willie Walsh has come out against any potential plans to use “mixed mode” flying to increase capacity at Heathrow.
Walsh, who is chief executive of British Airways’ parent company, was responding to reports over the weekend that using “mixed mode” flying could add up to 15 per cent capacity at the airport.
“Mixed mode” flying allows the airport to use both of its runways for taking off and landing at the same time instead of the current alternating system. It was tested earlier this year in order to reduce delays with a further trial due to start next month.
A study by air traffic controller NATS has said that it could add capacity for another 10 million passengers at the airport per year although it admits it would not be an “overnight capacity solution”.
But Walsh, speaking at an Aviation Foundation event yesterday, said he was “against it” because it was “not a structural solution” to Heathrow’s lack of capacity.
“I don’t believe it will deliver what’s needed,” said Walsh. “To be honest, I think it’s a distraction. But while I would not personally be in favour of it, let’s consider it as part of the consultation.”
Virgin Atlantic’s chief executive Steve Ridgway added: “There are implications around it. It’s a potential solution but not the right one.”
Walsh and Ridgway were among leading aviation and business figures who attended the Aviation Foundation press event yesterday to set down their demands for the government’s forthcoming aviation strategy consultation including the insistence that "all options" including Heathrow's third runway must be considered.
Colin Matthews, chief executive of Heathrow owner BAA, said that “mixed mode” flying would only create a “modest increase” in capacity at the airport and there were “huge issues around it”.
“I am aligned with Willie Walsh on this in that it may not be an option that gets the best cost-benefit equation compared to other options,” said Matthews.