BA chief slams Tory Heathrow plans
Wednesday, 01 Oct 2008 13:30
Conservative opposition to a third runway at Heathrow would damage the national economy and condemn air travellers to decades of delays, Willie Walsh, British Airways’ chief executive, said today.
Mr Walsh was responding to an announcement by Conservative shadow secretary of state for transport Theresa Villiers the party would scrap the plans – instead offering a high-speed rail link between north and south England.
He said the Conservatives were "all over the place" on aviation – with some in the party opposed to expansion, others wanting to build a new national hub in the Thames Estuary and a third group backing Heathrow.
Boris Johnson, mayor of London, recently mooted proposals for the construction of a so-called airport-island in the Thames estuary.
"The latest idea that a rail link from Leeds and Manchester to Heathrow would be an adequate substitute for a third runway beggars belief," Mr Walsh told an audience in the City of London.
"Flights to Manchester and Leeds are less than three per cent of Heathrow’s current operation. The runway capacity this would free up would be swallowed almost immediately by natural growth.
"And even this tiny and temporary benefit would not be forthcoming until 2027.
"So the Conservatives apparently want to undermine the UK’s efforts to succeed in a global economy - and condemn Heathrow to permanent status as the most delay-prone airport in Europe.
"Without extra runway capacity, Heathrow will never have any slack in the system – and the tiniest disruption will cause knock-on delays all day.
"Our national hub airport needs a third runway – so the UK can begin to catch up the other major European countries in providing businesses with the kind of worldwide connectivity that is essential for success in a globalised economy.
Two weeks ago, 100 leading companies and business organisations in the UK launched a public declaration of support for a third runway.
"A third runway at our national hub airport is essential for jobs, wealth creation and the future economic success of this country in a globalised economy," continued Mr Walsh.
"The Conservatives may have an election to win. But they must not forget that if they are successful, they will have a country to govern."
Chris O'Toole