30/01/2015

Easyjet Supports Heathrow Expansion

Easyjet has come out in favour of an expansion at Heathrow Airport.

The budget airline has made a submission to the Airports Commission, in which it said that expanding Heathrow would "provide greater passenger and economic benefits."

The news has been welcomed by officials at Heathrow, but criticised by Gatwick. Currently, the two London airports are competing over expansion.

Easyjet has four bases in at UK airports, with the biggest at Gatwick. It is understood that in its submission, Easyjet said expanding Heathrow would be in the "best interests" of passengers, while expanding Gatwick would lead to an increase in airport charges.

The opposing expansion plans are currently undergoing public consultation, which ends on 03 February. A final report is due later this year.

(MH/JP)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

01 November 2012
China Sovereign Wealth Fund Buys Heathrow Airport Stake
China Investment Corporation (CIC), the country's sovereign wealth fund, now owns a 10% stake in the firm that owns five UK airports including London's Heathrow. Under the terms of the agreement CIC will pay £450m ($726m) for a 10% stake in Heathrow Airport Holdings Ltd, which was previously known as BAA Ltd. The fund will buy a 5.
11 May 2015
Heathrow Records Strong Traffic Figures
Heathrow Airport has released its latest traffic and business commentary. In April, 6.14 million passengers travelled through the airport, with a combined passenger growth for March and April of 1.2%. Within emerging markets, passenger volumes were found to be "particularly strong" to Mexico – an increase of 13.1% – while China was up by 16.
02 September 2014
Airport Commission Rejects 'Boris Island'
The Mayor of London has told the Airports Commission that their failure to take forward the only credible option for aviation expansion means their work will become increasingly irrelevant, as he cannot conceive of any possible scenario in which a Government would approve the expansion of Heathrow.
17 December 2013
Shortlist Of Airport Expansion Options Produced
The Airports Commission has shortlisted three options for airport expansions. They include new runways at Heathrow and Gatwick and the extension of an existing Heathrow runway. The commission will also consider a new airport in the Isle of Grain in north Kent.
07 September 2012
Ministers Confirm No Decision On Heathrow Until After Election
The next government will take the final decision on UK airport expansion, ministers have confirmed. A commission chaired by Sir Howard Davies, ex-Financial Services Authority boss, looking into ways to expand airport capacity will report in 2015. Options include a third runway at Heathrow and a new four-runway facility in the Thames estuary.