The Scottish government has thrown its support behind Heathrow after securing key commitments for Scotland.
It said the expansion plans offer the greatest strategic and economic benefits to Scotland, creating thousands of jobs and providing a “significant boost to the country’s connectivity”.
The airport’s commitments include:
• The creation of up to 16,000 new jobs across Scotland from the new capacity
• Heathrow will work with the Scottish Government to investigate Glasgow Prestwick Airport as a potential site for a logistics hub to support the building of the third runway
• £200m of construction-related spend in Scotland during planning and construction
• A £10m route development fund to help support new domestic routes.
• From January 2017, a reduction of £10 per passenger on landing charges paid by airlines operating services from Heathrow to Scotland. This will benefit existing services from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness and incentivise the introduction of new services.
Heathrow will make these commitments in a Memorandum of Understanding to be signed with the Scottish Government today.
Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Keith Brown said: “We have been clear from the start of this process that we wanted the best deal for Scotland and building a third runway at Heathrow provides the most significant benefits to the country’s economy and connectivity.
“We have engaged extensively with both airports during this process and considered all options very carefully. Gatwick’s proposals are also to be commended.”
John Holland-Kaye, Chief Executive of Heathrow Airport, said: “An expanded Heathrow would create up to 16,000 jobs in Scotland. It would facilitate more airlines flying routes to Scottish airports, meaning more flights, more competition and choice for families and businesses across the nation. That also means more visitors to Scotland, more destinations for Scottish tourists and more opportunity for Scottish businesses to reach new export markets.”
Gatwick has promised to continue plans for expansion even if Heathrow gets support and claims it’s “very unlikely” a third runway will be built at Heathrow due to legal challenges.
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