UK Transport Committee supports UK Government's approval of third runway at London Heathrow

UK's House of Commons Transport Committee endorsed (07-Dec-2009) the UK Government's decision to support a third runway and an additional terminal at London Heathrow Airport, stating it will bring "economic benefits" to the country, as part of its "Future of Aviation" report. The committee stated rail links to London would not offer a viable alternative, as the airport does not handle a large number of domestic services. The committee also suggested the government consider the construction of an additional runway at London Gatwick Airport, rather than London Stansted Airport. Delays in arriving at a final decision on a second runway at Stansted, coupled with the recession and declining passenger numbers, mean that a second runway at Stansted is unlikely to be completed prior to 2019 when the restriction on an additional runway at Gatwick expires

The report also stated regional airports with services to non-EU hubs, such as Bristol, Newcastle and Belfast International airports, are unlikely to gain further long-haul expansion, citing the withdrawal of British Airways
and bmi transatlantic routes from Manchester. [more]