Introducing a third runway at Heathrow Airport would help secure Britain’s long-term economic future following the uncertainty triggered by the UK’s decision to leave the EU, according to Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye.
Heathrow bosses say the airport is already operating at 98 per cent capacity, but adding another runway would deliver the necessary capacity to connect to developing global economies, as well as generate around £100 billion in economic benefits for the UK and create more than 100,000 new jobs.
Almost two-thirds (65 per cent) of the 150 MPs surveyed by ComRes in April and June support a third runway, with 38 per cent ranking it the most important infrastructure project for the future of the UK economy, ahead of the HS2 and HS3 rail projects, and proposals for a second runway at Gatwick.
In July 2015, the independent Airports Commission also recommended that Britain’s global ranking would be less secure without a Heathrow expansion.
Heathrow boss John Holland-Kaye said that expanding Heathrow is “the right choice for a stronger Britain”.
He commented: “At an uncertain time for the British economy, MPs recognise that Heathrow is a private sector infrastructure project that will spread growth across Britain from the moment that we get a green light.
“Now more than ever, people across Britain are counting on the Government to take bold decisions that show we are a confident outward-looking trading nation.”
Heathrow handled almost 1.5 million tonnes of freight in 2015, and Robert Keen, director general of the British International Freight Association, believes that David Cameron should not let his scheduled resignation in October to delay approving the Heathrow expansion.
He added: “The UK's freight forwarding community, which is the engine of Britain's international trade, is counting on the government to show that we are a confident, outward-looking trading nation, still capable of taking bold decisions that have a direct positive effect on the UK economy, its international connectivity and reputation.”