Pro Heathrow Runway Campaigners Take Out Ads

12.1.2009   (Yahoo news)

Airline chiefs have joined business leaders and trade unionists in calling for
a third runway to be built at Heathrow.

In newspaper adverts they say it is vital for jobs, economic growth, investment and the long-term competitiveness of the UK’s economy.

A Government decision on the possible expansion is possible this week.

The supporters of the runway are all members of the Future Heathrow group, which
believes that the current economic conditions only underscore the need to take
decisions now that would help safeguard the UK’s economic future.

The group says Heathrow is full with its two existing runways operating at 99
per-cent capacity while its European competitors have four runways or more.

Baroness Jo Valentine, chief executive of business group London First, said:
“Business needs to fly and will do so long after the current economic turmoil.
A third runway will be an asset to London and the UK economy.”

British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh said: “The rest of Europe has already
built extra capacity at its hub airports and will be ready to benefit when the
economic recovery comes.

“Britain cannot afford to slip further behind.”

Colin Matthews, chief executive of Heathrow operator BAA, said: “A third runway
will only go ahead if strict environmental limits are met. We are confident that
they will be and have requested that the Government appoint an independent assessor
to ensure that the environmental limits will be adhered to.”

It is thought that a Government announcement on Heathrow could come on Wednesday.

The Conservatives are against expansion at Heathrow and prefer an improved rail links between
UK cities.

It is believed that engineering group Arup is about to unveil plans for a high-speed
rail link from London to the north via Heathrow.

The Government believes there should be rail links as well as airport expansion
at Heathrow.

Hundreds of environment protesters are due to gather at Heathrow’s Terminal 1 tonight to demonstrate
against expansion plans.

The protest is being organised by eco-activist group Climate Rush, which is being
supported by another anti-expansion group, Artport.

 

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20090112/tuk-runway-campaigners-take-out-ads-45dbed5.html

 

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Call for third Heathrow runway

The call, in newspaper adverts, came just days before an expected Government
decision on whether the west London airport should be expanded.

The adverts say that building a third runway is vital for jobs, economic growth,
investment and the long-term competitiveness of the UK’s economy.

The supporters of the expansion are all members of the Future Heathrow group,
which believes that the current economic conditions only underscore the need to
take decisions now that would help safeguard the UK’s economic future.

Future Heathrow says that only a major international hub airport like Heathrow
can provide the direct flights that the UK needs to important long-haul business
destinations such as China and India.

The group says Heathrow is full with its two existing runways operating at 99
per-cent capacity while its European competitors have four runways or more.

Baroness Jo Valentine, chief executive of business group London First, said:
“Business needs to fly and will do so long after the current economic turmoil.
A third runway will be an asset to London and the UK economy if it comes with
the right conditions.

“They are that there should be no new flights until delays have fallen, there
should be a tough independent environmental monitor and there should be world-class
customer service.”

CBI director-general Richard Lambert said: “Heathrow is our gateway to the world
and we need to ensure that it remains a world-class airport capable of serving
the needs of a global economy. With the airport at capacity, Heathrow’s status
as a global hub is under threat.”

TUC deputy general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Aviation is key to the UK
economy and the unions are committed to supporting the sustainable development
of Heathrow – not only leading to the creation of many more quality jobs but also
meeting local noise and air quality standards and ensuring the CO2 emissions from
aviation growth are consistent with the UK’s new carbon budgets.”

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20090112/tuk-call-for-third-heathrow-runway-6323e80.html