Battle lines drawn over third Heathrow runway – UPDATED

Airlines and environmental groups are to clash over Government plans to back the building of a third runway at Heathrow.

Transport secretary Ruth Kelly has triggered a major battle with proposals to back an additional runway and sixth terminal at the congested London hub.

Mixed mode operations on the airports existing runways – allowing aircraft to take off and land simultaneously – are also to be given the green light to help ease capacity constraints.

The additional runway would see the airport handle 700,000 flights a year but lead to the destruction of 700 properties including the community of Sipson.

The Department for Transport’s consultation document published this morning says a third runway would bring £5 billion-worth of economic benefits “even after taking account of climate change and noise costs”.

If given final approval following lengthy consultation, a third 2,200m runway would be in place by 2020, with mixed mode take off and landing introduced by 2015 on the existing runways.

The new runway would be capable of handling all but the largest four-engined aircraft and allow the airport as a whole to operate effectively, the consultation document says.

BAA chief executive Stephen Nelson said: “Today’s consultation spells good news for passengers. Heathrow is full and its dependence on two runways can lead to delays, stacks and crawling taxiway queues. The cost of this congestion can be measured economically and environmentally.

“More efficient, or mixed-mode, use of the existing runways would allow us to cut delays at a stroke, while a third runway will mean we can add new destinations to the UK’s global reach. There will be no more noise overall from the airport, better air quality, and improved public transport links.

“It is Government policy that there should be two new runways in the south east and BAA will be submitting a planning application for a second runway at Stansted shortly.”

Kelly said: “Heathrow supports 170,000 jobs, billions of pounds of British exports and is our main gateway to the global economy. But for too long it has operated at nearly full capacity, wth relatively minor problems causing severe delays to passengers.

“If nothing changes, Heathrow’s status as a world class airport will be gradually eroded – jobs will be lost and the economy will suffer. London and the UK’s nations and regions alike are reliant on the good international connections that the Heathrow hub provides.

“Equally, I am clear that any decision on expansion has to be compatible with meeting tough local environmental tests on noise and air quality.

“I fully understand this in an issue which raises strong feelings on all sides which is why we are making every effort to encourage people to make their views known.”

A Virgin Atlantic spokesman described the need for additional runway at Heathrow as “absolutely critical”, adding: “Heathrow is creaking at the seams. We desperately need that extra capacity.”

But environmental groups are set to vigorously oppose any expansion of Heathrow on pollution and noise grounds.

Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, Heathrow operator BAA and the TUC are lining up together today to back the option for a third runway.

by Phil Davies