City of London Corp calls for airport expansion

UK's City of London Corporation announced that aviation capacity "urgently" needs to be expanded at London's airports (City AM, 31-Jan-2011). The Corporation stated demand for air travel will increase with the economic recovery, adding that proposal too construct a new airport would be too time consuming. The Corporation is urging the government to consider allowing expansion at London City, Stansted, and Gatwick airports in addition to Heathrow. While admitting that any decision may be unpopular, "limited connectivity, reduced service quality and price pressures" at London's airports could undermine the city's competitive position.

City of London Corporation: "A new hub airport could offer a possible long-term solution but such a project would take decades to become fully operational … We are operating in a competitive market, where talented individuals and institutions are highly mobile. London and the UK cannot afford to stand still while our rivals across the globe are building for the future." Stuart Fraser, spokesman. Source: City AM, 31-Jan-2011.