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4-Apr-2011 1:30 PM

easyJet CEO attacks UK Government's air transport policy

easyJet CEO Carolyn McCall has accused the UK Government of being "obsessed with high-speed rail" at the expense of aviation, joining a growing voice in Britain about the coalition government's failure to implement a coherent air transport policy (The Observer/The Guardian, 03-Apr-2011). Ms McCall complained of a "U-turn" by the government in scrapping plans to reform air passenger duty from a "per passenger" to a "per plane" basis, and criticised the lack of investment in major airports following plans to drop Heathrow's third runways project. Ms McCall suggested that expansion at London Gatwick, currently the world's busiest single-runway airport, should be a priority.

easyJet: "In terms of general transport policy, they [the UK government] seem to be obsessed with high-speed rail. Before you start thinking about high-speed rail and any new airports in the middle of wherever, you should look at what you've got and invest better." Carolyn McCall, CEO. The Observer, 03-Apr-2011.

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