New runway for London Heathrow

The proposal for a new northwest runway at Heathrow Airport had been suggested along with a number of other options, including a plan for a second runway at Gatwick. This plan was feasible but would not lead to the substantial economic growth the new runway at Heathrow will. The addition to Heathrow will see around 40 new destinations served from the airport (including 10-12 new long-haul routes), £147 billion in economic growth over 60 years, and more than 70,000 new jobs by 2050. The report also included measures to limit the impact on those living nearby. These measures consisted of strict air and noise pollution regulations - with a ban on all scheduled night flights in the period from 11.30pm to 6.00am. The report also recommended that no fourth runway be built at the airport; the government should make a firm commitment in Parliament not to expand the airport further as there is no sound operational or environmental case for a fourth runway at Heathrow.

“This debate has never been about a runway, it’s been about the future we want for Britain. Expanding Heathrow will keep Britain as one of the world’s great trading nations, right at the heart of the global economy.” Heathrow is indeed the country’s largest air freight hub, carrying more freight by value than all the other UK airports combined. Following the expansion, Heathrow’s freight capacity is set to double. John Holland-kaye went on to say,“We will create the world’s best connected, most efficient and most environmentally responsible hub airport at the heart of an integrated transport system.” The decision, however, is not yet final. This report only outlines recommendations and the government still has to make the ultimately decision

is still hopeful Gatwick will instead be expanded, saying

“Gatwick is still very much in the race. The Commission’s report makes clear that expansion at Gatwick is deliverable. “It is for the Commission to make a recommendation, but it is of course for the Government to decide. So we now enter the most important stage of the process." He goes on to comment on the “significant environmental challenges at Heathrow such as air quality and noise impact”, which he feels make Gatwick the most viable option for an expansion. Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has also been critical of the plans for a new runway at Heathrow and was quoted as saying, "It's not going to happen!". The government has said it will give its decision in the Autumn, however, the proposed runway would probably take over 10 years to build.