2015 is fast approaching and with it a decision on airport expansion in UK awaits. Heathrow and Gatwick have intensified their efforts to emerge as the benefactors of choice for the expansion. Residents, business community and politicians have not been left out of the fray; all want to give their 2 cents worth, make it clear on which side they are laying.
Creation of a new runway at Heathrow has come with its own unique challenges. Residents of Wokingham are already up in arms even before a proposed third runway is added to Heathrow. The trials of a new flight path said to run until January 2015 is causing residents of this area sleepless nights. Noise levels are at an all time high a departure from a relatively quiet neighborhood that it was. Residents say, their lives and wellbeing are being changed with no consent or consultation whatsoever and unless they protest, they don’t think anything will be done.
Meanwhile at Gatwick new flight paths are being tested and the reaction from residents is no different from Heathrow. Protesters lined the cycling route of the tour of Britain to indicate their displeasure with the noise levels.
Gatwick promises to urbanize Sussex, therein reaping the economic reward of higher passenger numbers transiting through the county. Small businesses have thrown their backing behind Gatwick’s expansion, at 42% compared to those for Heathrow at 37% according to a YouGov survey. Small businesses feel that this would be the quickest easiest and the cheapest solution to UK’s air travel problems for the long haul.
43% of small business leaders said that expanding Gatwick was better than adding another runway to Heathrow at 12% for creation of a level playing field among UK airports, giving rise to competition and affording passengers more choice between airports. The last quarter of 2014 will be particularly interesting to watch as these two airports outdo each other in the race to attract more business.