Member Article

Heathrow to host fewer longhaul flights post-expansion - Mayor of London

The Mayor of London has described plans to expand Heathrow Airport as ‘failing London and failing the nation on every single level’.

Today Boris Johnson wrote to every Member of Parliament and peer to reveal that if a third runway was built, Heathrow would serve fewer long haul and fewer domestic destinations by 2030 than it currently does.

The information, buried in the Airports Commission’s own report, made up a damning 30 page dossier distributed to MPs and peers today.

The dossier’s detailed analysis draws on the weaknesses set out in the Commission’s own evidence, including the fact that an expanded Heathrow will offer six fewer daily long haul destinations in 2030 and just a single new daily long haul destination by 2050, when compared to today.

The Commission’s figures also show that only four UK cities will have a connection to the UK hub in 2030 – three fewer than today.

Despite the proposed partial night flight ban between 2330 and 0600, these proposals will actually lead to one-third increase in flights in the officially recognised night period, between 2300 and 0700.

At the same time, the ban will “undermine” long haul connectivity and deter potential new low cost carrier entrants like easyJet, the Mayor says.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “The Airports Commission has spent several years in the production of a gigantic ball of wool that they are now attempting to pull over the eyes of the nation.

“The figures teased out of their report on the fall in domestic and even long haul connectivity show that as a nation, by expanding Heathrow, we would merely be investing in decline. Their report very clearly shows that a third runway will fail both London and the UK on every level.

“Our great nation is sleepwalking its way towards becoming a bit part player in the aviation world. Now is the time for boldness. Now is the time to build an airport that can fulfil the needs of every corner of the UK.”

A Heathrow spokesperson said: “The Airports Commission has been unanimous and unambiguous that only expansion of Heathrow will keep Britain as a leading aviation hub and it can do so while still meeting environmental targets and being fair to local communities.  It concludes that expanding Heathrow would enhance connections between the UK regions and London and its associated onward connectivity.

 “The airlines support Heathrow expansion.  easyJet has set out a plan to increase regional connections from the airport if it is allowed to grow. Consequently expansion would mean both more UK airports served by the hub and better connectivity with emerging markets.“

According to a statement released by the airport today, The Mayor does not give the full context of the Commission’s assessment.  The Commission’s original report says: “Expansion at Heathrow would enhance connections between the UK regions and London and its associated onward connectivity, reversing the trend of declining links between London and the rest of the UK witnessed in recent decades.“ “…the Commission’s macroeconomic assessment suggests that 60% of the economic impact of expansion may be felt outside London and the South East as businesses all over the country feel the benefits of increased connectivity and openness.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .