A future Labour government will make a “swift decision” on airport expansion, the party has said.
Outlining the commitment in its 86-page manifesto, Labour said following the Davies Review a quick outcome will help “balance the need for growth and the environmental impact” of expansion in London and the south east.
The manifesto also stated Labour will introduce a small charge on non-visa visitors to the UK, in order to recruit an additional 1,000 borders staff. The party also reiterated its support for the construction of HS2 but there was no mention of Air Passenger Duty.
The British Air Transport Association welcomed the decision on airport expansion and said a “speedy decision will enable substantial progress to be made during the life of the next Parliament”.
“Whichever option is proposed in the Commission’s final report there will be controversy and some disagreement, but the UK cannot afford further delay,” BATA CEO Nathan Stower said.
Stower added that while extra border staff is needed a new charge on non-visa visitors is “not a sensible approach”.
“Visitors from countries like the USA and Australia already pay the highest air passenger tax in the world to visit the UK by air at £71. Adding yet another charge will make the UK more uncompetitive in attracting international tourists, business travellers and inbound investment,” he said.
Both Gatwick and Heathrow have been short-listed for potential expansion by the Airports Commission, headed by Sir Howard Davies. The commission is due to make its final recommendation about which airport should be allowed to expand after the general election.