UK Airports Commission recommends Heathrow Airport. UPDATE: House of Lords hearings 15-Jul-2015

The final, "clear and unanimous", recommendation of the UK Airports Commission concerning an additional runway in southeast England was made on 01-Jul-2015 after two and a half years of research by the Commission, innumerable submissions by public and private sector organisations, businesses and members of the public and an Interim Report. It is the final chapter - for now! - in a saga that commenced at the end of the Second World War to find a home for a second primary airport for London. (Note however that this Commission had a much wider remit: to ensure the provision of adequate airport capacity and connectivity in the UK).

Quite apart from its direct impact on the winner and loser during the final selection in terms of expansion it will have implications for airport ownership as there may be some comings and goings arising out of the recommendation - even if there is no certainty that the government will accept and implement it. Prime Minister Cameron committed to a decision "by the end of the year".

UPDATE: This report now also includes an account of the appearance of Airports Commission Chairman Sir Howard Davies before a session of the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee on 15-Jul-2015, possibly his last such public appearance on this matter.