Heathrow airport has released an insightful report on reasons as to why it should receive the nod for expansion. It says, UK has been for the better part of the post-war era been one of the most connected countries, Heathrow playing a major part in that interconnectivity. UKs interconnectivity is under threat and the only way to ensure a reverse to this is to rapidly increase exports. This requires that there be expansion at UKs only hub airport, Heathrow.
Air transport is as important for UK now as Sea transport was some time back. Heathrow airport accounts for 26% of the country’s exports, exceeding the amounts exported through Southampton and felixstowe together. 66% of UKs freight passes through Heathrow. All emerging and high net worth markets are in Asia and America. These are markets best accessed through air transport. If the UK wants to remain ahead of the business curve then it should strive to improve connectivity better than its rivals in Europe eyeing the same markets.
The only way to get to these markets economically is by using a Hub airport. Heathrow on this front is facing a decline in popularity. This year it was overtaken as the world’s busiest airport by Dubai International. Closer home, Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport is making inroads on Heathrow airport’s crown. This decline is being driven by lack of air capacity at Heathrow. Direct long haul flights drive exports. Heathrow as one of the only 6 hub airports with more than 50 long haul flights should be undoubtedly getting the nod for expansion. Expansion at Heathrow directly and indirectly implies an expansion of Britain’s economy.
An expansion at Heathrow will increase long haul flights by almost 50% making access to emerging markets fast and easy for Britain’s exporters.