Aviation minister Theresa Villiers visited London Luton Airport yesterday as industry leaders called for an extra runway to be built to serve the south of England to make room for new air links to emerging markets.
Villiers said she was impressed by Luton’s facilities, and she said the airport was playing an increasingly important role in the aviation connectivity in London and the southest, but the CBI said an additional runway would be at nearby rivals Heathrow, Gatwick or Stansted.
CBI director general John Cridland told the Financial Times that even Birmingham was a credible option, but he said an entirely new airport for the region should be considered in the longer term.
Villiers with Luton Airport managing director Glyn Jones, celebrating Wizz Air’s 10 millionth passenger through the airport in seven years.
By Linsey McNeill
