The government has approved a third runway at Heathrow to expand UK airport capacity.

The Government’s decision to support the provision of an additional runway at Heathrow should be made into a ‘win-win’ situation for all parties, claims The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) after today’s announcement. 

Paul Le Blond, Chair, Aviation Policy Group, CILT, says: ‘The end to uncertainty over airports policy is welcomed by logistics and transport professionals, whichever option they supported, but there can be benefits for all parties, who can now take action to ensure that the decision is implemented in the best possible way for all.'

Daniel Parker-Klein, Head of Policy, CILT, says: ‘Government must ensure that the benefits of the decision are fully realised. The conditions set by the decision, related to aircraft noise, air quality and road traffic, must be strictly enforced. This will enable improvements to roads, rail and other infrastructure to be properly planned and investment justified, it will send messages to the aviation industry about the need to continually improve environmental performance, and it will help towards meeting quality of life targets.’

Kevin Richardson, Chief Executive, CILT, says: ‘The whole of the UK must benefit from this decision. As well as the new runway providing better connectivity from the regions to London and then to the world, the Government should publish a draft National Policy Statement as soon as possible so that the UK’s airports and the airlines which they serve can see a clear strategy ahead, local authorities can plan properly for growth and surface access providers can implement the improvements for many of the airports.’

Paul Drechsler CBE, President, CBI, says: 'The Prime Minister’s green light to expand the UK’s aviation capacity comes as an enormous relief to firms in every corner of the country. A new runway at Heathrow is fantastic news, especially as the country has waited nearly 50 years for this decision. It will create the air links that will do so much to drive jobs and unlock growth across the UK, allowing even more of our innovative, ambitious and internationally focussed firms, from Bristol to Belfast, to take off and break into new markets.'

James Stamp, Global Head of Aviation, KPMG, says: 'Now, more than ever, UK plc needs to demonstrate both its ability and willingness to connect to trading partners and investors in the rest of the world. This is the right time to send a strong message that we are open for business.

'The debate about new runways in the UK has not just about where to lay 3000 metres of concrete; it’s fundamentally about how we secure our future economic prosperity. The reality is stark: currently London is not directly connected to 128 of the biggest cities in the world; we lack connections to 194 of the 309 cities that will have populations over two million in 2030; and our competitors already connect to 41 of these global growth engines. 

'A truly positive statement would have gone a long way to alleviate the concern that we are missing those global connections that are now so important for business, jobs, and growth.'

David Sleath, CEO, SEGRO, says: 'We welcome the Government’s support for a third runway at Heathrow, which gives business confidence that the new Government is serious about infrastructure delivery and maintaining Britain’s position as a global trader.  

'As a company, we have been clear from the outset that for Britain to succeed in the global economy, we need more capacity at a hub airport, and Heathrow is the right solution.  What’s more, 84% of our customers support this decision.  Air cargo accounts for 40% of Britain’s exports by value, and more goods leave Britain via Heathrow than from all other UK airports combined.  Giving the go ahead for a third runway would provide a shot in the arm for the many established businesses and SMEs across the UK that rely on access to international trade markets.  

'Expansion at Heathrow will allow Britain’s businesses to connect with emerging markets and create new opportunities, demonstrating that Britain really is open for business.  We urge the country to come together and do what is right for the nation as a whole, which is to support the delivery of a third runway at Heathrow.' 

Robert Keen, Director General, British International Freight Association,says: 'Today’s news appears to be the beginning of the end of years of procrastination over the expansion of UK aviation capacity.

'We understand that a public consultation will now be held on the effects of airport expansion before the government makes a final decision as part of a national policy statement on aviation, with MPs then voting on that decision in the winter of 2017-18.

'If that is the case, uncertainties remain. Whilst the UK Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling has hinted at an expedited planning procedure, with no reopening of high level arguments, the inevitable legal challenges and the convoluted parliamentary and planning processes that are also likely lead me to doubt that any expansion will be completed by the time that UK aviation capacity is predicted to run out in 2025.'

Nick Gross, Head of Transport and Logistics, Coffin Mew, says: “Should the Heathrow expansion plan be approved by Parliament, which will be a huge hurdle, the Government should expect a large influx of legal challenges.

'First and foremost, on the grounds of compliance with the Air Quality Directive – and the Government’s own targets regarding CO2 emissions and climate change. 

'Secondly, even with noise restrictions in place, those who live on affected flight paths or near the new runway site are likely to mount legal cases against the planned expansion, and MPs whose constituencies lie in these areas are already showing their teeth, regardless of political persuasion.'