17/06/2003

BA to support third shorthaul Heathrow runway

British Airways (BA) has announced today that intends to support moves to create a third runway at Heathrow and a second runway at Birmingham airport.

In a statement today, BA said that it would also back an extra runway at Edinburgh or Glasgow airport and new passenger terminals at Manchester airport.

The airline is proposing that any new runway at Heathrow should have between 30 and 60 daily take-offs and landings reserved for extra flights to more UK regional airports.

"These views are contained in its response to the government’s regional air studies co-ordination (RASCO) consultation which is examining where to develop UK airports outside of south east England in the period up to 2030," BA said.

BA proposes a new short runway at Heathrow that could only be used by smaller aircraft on shorthaul services and could not be displaced by longhaul flights which would operate from Heathrow’s two longer runways.

"Regional passengers would then be guaranteed access into the UK’s international hub airport and destinations around the world," said the airline.

Rod Eddington, British Airways’ chief executive, said that strong air links to London and the range of services provided by an international hub airport were "vital for regional development in the UK".

"Most regional airports are unable to support an extensive longhaul flight network as there is insufficient passenger demand in the immediate catchment area. That is why the role of Heathrow is key to the success of Britain," he said.

"During the last few years, the number of regional routes served from Heathrow has been reduced due to the lack of runway capacity there. A third runway will enable British Airways and other airlines to start new commercially viable regional services from Heathrow, hopefully using slots reserved for that purpose."

Last week, the British Airports Association chief executive Mike Clasper told the annual conference of Europe's airport operators (the Airports Council International) that London was in danger of falling behind its continental competitors in terms of airport infrastructure.

On 12 May 2003, BAA submitted its response to the Government's consultation on aviation expansion over a 30-year time frame. The company called for the phasing of up to three new runways in the south east of England with an urgent decision on the first.

(GMcG)

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