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AIRPORT PICKUPS LONDON

Still No Runway Decision
21 - Jan - 2016

Record passengers numbers, but still no runway decision

 

It was a decision the nation was expecting to hear last year; indeed, the two biggest airports in the UK had been actively campaigning for this decision, but it never came.  Of course, we’re talking about runway expansion at either Gatwick of Heathrow.  Just this week, the Government has announced they have delayed the decision as they need to investigate the situation on air quality before they can make this vital decision. 

But as both airports report record passenger numbers, it’s about time a decision was made!

Heathrow reported a record number of passengers – 75 million to be exact - travelled through the airport, the UK’s largest, representing an increase of 2.2% on last year.  Although domestic flights actually dropped by as much as 15%, flights to Latin America and China increased by 8% and 14% respectively which certainly boosted the passenger numbers.  According to the airport’s CEO, John Holland-Kaye, believes that their latest passenger figures make Heathrow the natural choice for expansion, stating: “Our new expansion plan will make Heathrow the most sustainable hub airport, and Britain the best connected country in the world.  We are ready to serve.”

But just days later its rival, Gatwick, went one better and set a new global passenger record for a single runway airport, reporting that 40.3 million passengers travelled through the airport last year, with December being a record month as 2.7 million people (an increase of 4.7%) passed through their terminals.  Long haul flights were the principal driver in the increase of passengers, such as the North Atlantic routes which rose by an impressive 14.7%.  With this being Gatwick’s 34th consecutive month of growth in passenger numbers, Gatwick’s CEO, Stewart Wingate, is also stating his case that these figures justify expansion at his airport, stating: “A government decision this year backing Gatwick expansion will mean that Britain finally solves its long-standing problem of airport capacity in the South East”.

As this week also sees Manchester and Stansted airports reporting record passenger numbers as well, confidence in air travel and ease of access to far-flung destinations has encouraged us all to use this form of transport more regularly.  In one respect, it’s good to see the Government taking its time and ensuring that all matters are considered, including air pollution and noise.  On the other hand, it is frustrating that no decision has been made as yet.  2016 has only just begun – a decision will be forthcoming but let’s be patient and allow the Government to make the right decision.

By Airport Pickups London