Heathrow capacity ‘harms’ economy

The restriction of capacity at Heathrow is harming the UK's economic potential, a group of MPs has said.

A report by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Aviation said efforts should be made “to ensure that UK retains and grows hub capacity” at Heathrow or a new purpose-built hub airport.

It comes as the government rejected calls for a third runway at Heathrow. Chancellor George Osborne said the government understood there was a need for additional airport capacity.

On Tuesday, Transport Secretary Justine Greening said the government remained opposed to a third runway at Heathrow, despite calls from Conservative MPs for a change of heart. The coalition agreement between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats rules out any expansion of Heathrow before the next election, while Labour also currently opposes the idea of a third runway at the UK's largest airport.

But a consultation on future air capacity in south-east England has twice been delayed amid reported divisions within the coalition and Conservative ranks. The chancellor said more airport capacity was needed in the south east but exactly where “is not a decision you can make right here, right now”.

“Over the next few months we will be talking to people about where that capacity should be,” Osborne said. “I am very clear; we are an open trading nation and just as we don't want to shut down our ports or our railways, we don't want to shut down our air psace.”

The All Party Aviation Group, which brings together MPs from across the parties with an interest in aviation but has no formal parliamentary role, said the UK was being left behind on aviation capacity.

BBC