Heathrow leads Airports Commission options for new runway
Source:aircargoweek 2013-12-23 9:53:00
The Airports Commission interim report, published on 17 December, identifies three options for expanding UK runway capacity that it will study further, and two of them concern Heathrow. The report concludes that the UK needs one additional runway by 2030. One of the three options is a third Heathrow runway, located to the airport's North West, while another is an extension of an existing landing strip, creating a second runway. A third option is a second runway at Gatwick Airport. The interim report states that Heathrow accounts for 64 per cent of total UK airfreight by volume and that UK to, Asia, North America and East Africa are the busiest freight routes. According to the Commission, in 2012 the UK shipped 2.3 million tonnes of cargo and of that, 95 per cent, 1.5 million tonnes, is bellyhold cargo.The Board of Airline Representatives in the UK (BAR UK) represents 75 airlines to government departments, regulators and airport operators. It welcomed the report narrowing the options to Heathrow and Gatwick. BAR UK chief executive, Dale Keller, says: "Despite the inevitable challenges and disagreement that will follow, the vast majority of airlines believe that expanding Heathrow is now the only sensible way forward for the UK."Heathrow estimates the proposed North West runway could be operational by 2026 and cost £17 billion ($27.6 billion), with up to £6 billion from the UK government. This consists of £11 billion of airport infrastructures, £2.1 billion for surface access costs, and £3.8 billion for, "environmental or community costs". According to Heathrow, a third runway could be, "turned into a four runway solution". The Commission will not publish its final report until after the May 2015 general election. Heathrow Airport wants a decision after that as soon as possible. It says: "Heathrow encourages the Government to make a clear decision as soon as the Commission releases its final report and consider what steps could be taken to accelerate any subsequent planning process."